Four private equity groups interested in Serie A media business - sources

Other European national soccer leagues such as Spain's LaLiga and France's Ligue 1 have clinched deals to sell part of their media business to private equity funds to sustain investments after the pandemic hit clubs' finances hard.

Germany's Bundesliga is also considering whether to follow suit.

A group of funds comprising Carlyle, Apax and Three Hills Capital as well as New York-based rival Searchlight Capital have all expressed a preliminary interest in partnering with Serie A, the sources said, citing two separate letters sent to the league which did not contain any valuation of the media business.

Serie A, Carlyle, Apax, Three Hills and Searchlight all declined to comment.

Serie A last year failed to finalise a 1.7 billion euro ($1.67 billion) deal to sell a 10% stake in its media business to a consortium of funds led by CVC Capital Partners due to internal infighting and staunch opposition from some of the clubs, including Napoli and Lazio.

Carlyle, Apax and Three Hills held a meeting with Italy's top flight soccer league chiefs last week as the three private equity firms were considering a joint proposal, sources had previously told Reuters.

The Italian league also held a meeting with Searchlight representatives, who expressed interest in a potential deal as well, the sources added.

Private equity investors have approached Serie A as it prepares to tender its broadcasting rights, possibly in January.

Clubs have resumed discussions over the idea of creating a separate unit for their media and broadcasting business, which could pave the way for partnerships.

However, clubs and league officials told Reuters the 20 Serie A teams are still divided over the potential involvement of private equity investors in their key media business.