TV rights, against all Fisi

The required 45% of profits from television rights by the FIS, approved Tuesday by the Federal Council, makes it impossible for the organization of competitions at the levels required by contract by the International Ski Federation FIS, the holder of the circuit, sponsors and TV stations with the risk of being deleted from the calendar in future World Cup.

The task of the organizers set up an event of great professionalism, respecting the safety of athletes and the necessary and basic services in an international sporting event.

"We can not understand - explain the leaders of the World Cup - what is the strategy of our federation. The proposal provides for the organizing committees of 35% (female races) - 40% (male competition) TV fees to the Federation and 65% -60% in the event. To share various services are added to the sponsors of the federation. This would be an increase of 30% in four years in favor of the federation. Besides this fee can not go, because there is financial sustainability, "say the organizers.

The replica of the President of FISI Giovanni Morzenti, was: "The World Cup and, in addition to being a sports event of international level, represent a powerful tool to promote the area. Therefore, the Federation can not bear to pay, on behalf of others, expenditure on tourism promotion. Apparently, however, there are committees that intend to promote the area using funds from TV rights, advertising and marketing, which belong to 100% to Fisi. I wonder what it would cost to these resorts appearing on television for all the hours of media coverage dell''evento ".

It is true that the statutes of 2004, FIS is written that the television rights of the FIS, but it is still local events and current legislation assigns, is common to regions with explicit rights on the management of tourism and events local races such as the World Cup in alpine skiing.

Yet it is not the first time that there is a dispute of this kind. Already in 2008, in fact, there was a conflict between the organizers of Bormio and Fisi. According to TV rights agreements were to be handled by Infront until 2011, while on the commercial front, the federation was to have the operational priority but allowed to treat the local committees, in exchange for a percentage that was passed by 10% to 14%. Bormio sold then for three years promopubblicitari Infront rights to freedom of December, but no one, least of respect for the form, the federation warned.

The former Italian World Cup races next season will be staged on 16 and 17 December in Val Gardena on 18 and 19 December in Alta Badia, Cortina and the races will be held on 14 and 15 January. In 2012, also is expected to return Campiglio with a slalom.

"Without sustainable settlement - explain the organizers - the FIS races could assign these to foreign locations and the glorious history of the Italian World Cup skiing, the Saslong, the Gran Risa slope of Olimpia Tofane Three and Three, which in the past welcomed more than 200 World Cup races, will be archived forever. "