In the following lines, we would like to draw the attention of the football community to one of the most important issues, relating to the activities of each professional club in Bulgaria – the question, related to the television rights contract.

It is beyond any doubt, that in the face of NOVA BROADCASTING GROUP the professional clubs have an excellent partner, which presents the product Bulgarian football at a high level. In the last few years, progress has been made in terms of the quality of the broadcasting of the meetings. The same goes for studio programs and specialized shows, dedicated to professional football in Bulgaria. We appreciate all this as an investment in the future of this product and we are happy, that the overall concept and vision of NOVA BROADCASTING GROUP, bring the native viewer closer to the European standards in the television coverage of football matches.

While, as a result of objective factors, difficult processes are taking place in the national and world economy, which have a strong impact on the budgets of professional clubs, and this will inevitably sooner or later affect the quality of the product Bulgarian football.

In this regard, we propose to convene a joint meeting between all stakeholders as soon as possible - BFU, PFL, the professional clubs in Bulgaria and the management of NOVA BROADCASTING GROUP. At the meeting in question, we propose to discuss options for updating this contract for television and advertising rights..

We state the main reasons for our request for revision and update of the TV rights contract:

– The economic crisis and the constantly rising inflation and their impact on the financial condition of professional clubs.

– The change in the legislation of the Bulgarian Football Union, which led to an increase in the number of teams in professional football and in particular those, participating in the First League championship. This leads to a change in the program of the championship and the number of matches, which each team must play.

– The obvious progress, which our common product demonstrates, as well as the relentless interest in it by the television audience. Logically, this should also lead to an update of the contract with a focus on improving conditions for clubs.

we are aware, that in the creation and offering of the product Bulgarian football, in addition to professional clubs, two other countries are key players – The Bulgarian Football Union, who administers and organizes the championship and NEW BROADCASTING GROUP – holder of television rights. That is why we insist on holding a working meeting, on which to discuss possible solutions together, related to the revision of the television rights agreement.

To date, representatives of seven football clubs from the First League have responded positively to the proposal for a working meeting., but we are convinced, that such a discussion is in the interest of all other clubs and we expect them to join us.

With respect:

FC Pirin (Blagoevgrad)