The future of European rugby
Compromise over European rugby edges closer
ESPN Staff
March 14, 2014

A solution for the future of European rugby took a step closer to becoming a reality on Thursday with Sky Sports and BT Sport revealing an agreement is close to being finalised over the broadcasting rights.

While the various unions have settled on a format for a re-jigged tournament ahead of next season, a competition that will be governed under the auspices of the Six Nations committee, the broadcasting rights were holding up talks. The English clubs had sold their broadcasting rights to BT while European Rugby Cup Ltd, the body in charge of the Heineken Cup, had sold the rights to a European tournament to Sky.

But the two parties have been in talks over sharing the broadcasting side of next year's European tournament and reports in the Telegraph say both are optimistic of a compromise being found.

Sky Sports' Barney Francis said: "We are absolutely willing to take part in conversations that lead to a solution that is in the best interests of the game and for the fans. But it will take compromise and compromise between all parties."

And his BT counterpart Marc Watson said: "I am optimistic a solution can be found."

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