Major Sports Pledge Revenues For Grassroots

A number of national governing bodies (NGBs) have pledged to reinvest at least 30 per cent of UK television broadcasting revenues in grassroots sports.

Signatories to a voluntary code of conduct established by the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA) include the Football Association, UK Athletics and the PGA European Tour. The England and Wales Cricket Board; Rugby Football League; Premier League; the R&A; and the Lawn Tennis Association/All England Lawn Tennis Club also made the pledge.

Each of the NGBs have committed to directing at least 30 per cent - around £250m per year - of net revenues from the sale of UK broadcasting rights in grassroots provision.

SRA chief executive Tim Lamb said: "The code of conduct shows that underlying the sale of broadcasting rights is the principle that the grassroots of sport should be a major beneficiary from the revenues raised. Striking the right balance between audience reach, revenue generation and grassroots investment is a matter for the governing bodies themselves to determine."

SRA is the new name of CCPR, which represents 320 bodies for sport and recreation.

Source: sportsmanagement.co.uk