- Nine (NEC) extends its partnership with Tennis Australia for rights to all premium tennis played in Australia from 2025 to 2029 for approximately $425 million
- The rights include broadcasting the Australian Open grand slam, the United Cup and the Australian team matches in the Davis Cup
- The extended agreement is a significant increase on the original agreement struck between the two companies in 2018 which was valued at $300 million
- Nine CEO Mike Sneesby says it is Nine’s commitment to bring “these great moments” to all Australians live and free
- Shares in Nine are up 3.68 per cent and trading at $2.12 at 3:26 pm AEDT
Nine (NEC) has extended its partnership with Tennis Australia, entering into a $425 million agreement for rights to all premium tennis played in Australia from 2025 to 2029.
This includes the Australian Open grand slam and tournaments like the United Cup, Adelaide International and the Australian team matches in the Davis Cup.
The media giant originally secured the rights to the tennis in 2018, a deal that ended a 40-year relationship with rival Seven West Media (SVM).
The average annual cash rights fee over the five-year period is approximately $85 million, starting lower and indexing over the term of the deal.
The extended agreement between Nine and Tennis Australia is a significant increase on the agreement struck between the two companies in 2018 which was valued at $300 million.
Nine will also support Tennis Australia with contra, services and promotion over the duration of the agreement, however, it did not disclose how much it would give Tennis Australia.
“Tennis attracts both a broad and very passionate following, and is a perfect fit with Nine’s schedule, audiences and advertisers,” Nine CEO Mike Sneesby said.
“The Australian Open has delivered some of Australia’s most iconic sporting moments and largest television audiences and together, we are committed to bringing these great moments to all Australians live and free.”
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley echoed similar sentiments, saying the deal would generate tennis appeal among younger audiences.
“Nine has shown its serious intent to a year-round commitment to continue to grow tennis,” Mr Tiley said.
“We want to show our sport at its best to continually excite tennis fans, whilst also appealing to a new generation of fans and players in this country. This new deal will certainly help us do that.”
The initial deal with Nine was substantially higher than Tennis Australia’s last deal with Seven in 2014, which was worth about $35 million annually.
Shares in Nine were up 3.68 per cent and trading at $2.12 at 3:26 pm AEDT.