[bitontheslide]

BT has confirmed it is in talks with several companies about the future of its sports broadcasting arm.

The group says it is exploring "ways to generate investment, strengthen our sports business" to "help take it to the next stage in its growth".

BT said early talks were being held "with a number of select strategic partners".

It is not clear if this means selling a stake in BT Sport or a full sale of the division, which was launched in 2013.

BT added that the discussions were confidential and "may or may not lead to an outcome".

The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday that Amazon, Disney and Dazn were in talks with BT, but that an unnamed British broadcaster might also be in the running to buy the sports business.

The telecoms giant did not confirm which firms are involved.

Amazon and Dazn declined to comment, while Disney did not immediately respond to the BBC's request.

Talks have emerged as the Premier League has held discussions with broadcasters, including BT, Sky and Amazon, about scrapping its next domestic media rights auction.

The government is now considering whether to approve a rollover of the current £4.7bn deal, which was secured in 2018.

That sale represented a 10% drop in value and some clubs are concerned there could be another fall if the usual open-market auction begins as planned next month for the three-year cycle between 2022 and 2025.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56901387

I'm betting Amazon