Eurosport and IMG secure LTA tennis deal

Sports channel Eurosport and sports agency IMG Worldwide’s media unit IMG Media have secured a new joint five-year rights deal with the UK Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).

Under the terms of the deal, Eurosport and IMG Media will distribute the rights, outside of the UK, across all media platforms for the LTA-run ATP tournaments.

Competition covered by the deal include the Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club in West London and the Aegon International Championships at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne.

The deal also includes the new WTA international event to be held in Nottingham from 2015, during a three-week gap between the French Roland Garros championship and Wimbledon.

Eurosport will continue to broadcast the LTA tournaments across its pan-European network, while IMG will for the first time manage media rights distribution outside of Europe.

Simon Long, chief commercial officer at the LTA said:  “This is very welcome news as it builds on our successful, long-standing partnership with Eurosport and, in collaboration with IMG, offers fans from across the world the opportunity to enjoy coverage of world class grass court tennis in the UK.”