The Pitch: Are RTÉ's €25m football rights value for money?

Declan McBennett, RTÉ group head of sport. Photograph Moya Nolan

RTÉ now owns approximately €25m in football rights assets. Following the recent acquisitions of the Uefa Nations League and Euro 2024 qualifiers – Montrose owns all competitive agreements for the Rep of Ireland (men and women), along with World Cup Finals and Euros (Finals) rights, as well as Champions League and League of Ireland.

The spend has been described by a rival broadcaster as “a monopoly” and one which lacks “transparency and accountability” with accusations that such spending is not in the public interest, and does not service RTÉ’s public service remit.