In an interview with YACHT (on newsstands from 17 November), ARD sports coordinator Hagen Boßdorf explains that his channel will be broadcasting the 2007 America's Cup, the preceding "Acts", the Louis Vuitton Cup and other sailing formats from the surrounding area together with ZDF.
"For the rights to the 'Acts' and the Louis Vuitton Cup, it was crucial that we had the prospect of a German campaign," Boßdorf told YACHT.
Michael Amsinck, Sports Rights Officer at ZDF, also confirms the agreement with the America's Cup Management (ACM). "ZDF is delighted to be able to report on this top sporting event and bring sailing in general and the America's Cup in particular closer to its viewers."
In the past few days, there have been signs that the joint sports rights agency of ARD and ZDF SportA is still having difficulties agreeing details with the ACM. However, all parties involved no longer doubt that the contract will be finalised.
The German America's Cup campaign Fresh Seventeen in particular has been waiting for this news. The TV contract is one of the foundations of the financing concept.
The protracted negotiations have put them under time pressure. The registration deadline on 17 December is fast approaching. In order to decouple the construction of the cupper from the sponsorship talks, the Fresh Seventeen organisers are therefore presenting an additional new financing model.
For a contribution of 50,000 euros, they offer investors co-ownership of the 8 million euro yacht, which is to be repaid from 2006 and earn interest at approx. 4.15 per cent p.a. (Info: info@fresh17-yacht.de ).
