Media Rights Deal Secured for Snowsports World Cup Events

27th July 2023

Last modified on August 2nd, 2023

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation, FIS, and Infront have agreed terms for an exclusive agency agreement for the distribution of the international media rights to FIS World Cup events.

The deal starts in the 2026/27 season and covers eight seasons until the end of the 2033/34 competitions.

Centralising media rights is at the centre in the FIS 5-year Strategic Plan and FIS says the agreement is “a giant leap in its ambitions”.

In truth there have been compromises on both sides in what is a multi-million euro sporting deal with neither side getting exactly what they want.

FIS will have full control over the sales process, while Infront will provide exclusive marketing implementation and international operations services.

Minimum compensation more than €100 million above current terms.
Commission-based agency agreement with a minimum sales guarantee of more than €600 million.
FIS in full control over the sales process.
Infront to provide exclusive marketing implementation and international media operations services.
Free-of-charge provision of archive footage and highlights.
Extensive rights to photography, behind-the-scenes coverage, course coverage, and the production of documentaries, television series, motion pictures, or similar productions.
Free of charge OTT streaming for dark markets.

The International Ski & Snowboard Federation. Image c/o FIS.

In his campaign to lead FIS, Johan Eliasch made clear that centralisation would be a core part of his Presidency.

Infront has a strong and in-depth knowledge of the FIS World Cup media rights due to its role as media rights partner of the majority of National Ski and Snowboard Associations (NSAs) for more than 20 years.

Before the new agreement starts, Infront will continue to carry out its current rights distribution approach based on its deals with individual federations.

“I was elected as the President of FIS with a mandate for change,” said FIS President Johan Eliasch.

“Wherever I see areas to improve our sport I will do so, even if it is not easy.

“Based on our statute changes in 2021 passed by 97.3% of our members, we have pressed on with the conviction that centralising our media rights management will be good for our athletes, our member federations, and for all around the world who are passionate about snow sports.”

“This is a time of enormous opportunity. There are new technologies to be harnessed, new audiences to inspire, and new markets to explore.

“Since much of what we want and need to do depends on it, centralisation of our sport’s media rights management has been central to our strategy.

“It will allow for a better product and planning, a digital first approach, more money, investment, and opportunities for our athletes, our disciplines, and our national associations.

“It will enable us to promote our sport far more widely across all social media channels, reaching a new generation of snow sports fans.”

Johan Eliasch, image c/o FIS.

“We have a well-established partnership with FIS and its member associations for more than two decades and have always believed in the strong potential of the FIS World Cup,” said Infront Senior Vice President ProSports, Bruno Marty.

“This new approach for our collaboration with world skiing and snowboarding will allow Infront to fully support FIS’ initiative and the entire snow-sport family to continue to further grow the value of FIS World Cup media rights revenues based on our expertise and in-depth knowledge of the sports media industry.

“We trust that all stakeholders involved will benefit from the proposed future set-up and work together to increase attractiveness, exposure, and impact of the FIS World Cup globally.”