The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) governing body has finalised the long-running process of media rights centralization for its various member federations, through a tie-up with the Ski Austria organization.
Through a deal coming into effect for the 2027-28 season, and which subsequently runs through 2033-34, the FIS will oversee the sale of international media and broadcast rights – across all platforms – for FIS World Cup tournaments that take place in Austria.
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The Infront agency will be in charge of distributing these rights to broadcast partners, as part of its overall, exclusive deal with the FIS – that agreement covers the distribution of FIS World Cup events taking place in all territories, also through 2033-34.
This tie-up, unveiled today, comes following a lengthy period of wrangling between the two organizations over the subject of centralization, with Austria one of the foremost skiing nations in terms of public interest.
Ski Austria had been extremely reluctant to give up its own, separate media rights deals for its World Cup events, which had been in place with Eurovision Sport (the sports arm of the European Broadcasting Union), and international sports and marketing agency IMG.
Indeed, all other member associations – with the exception of Ski Austria – had already signed off on a rights centralization deal with Infront last December, leaving only one hold-out.
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By GlobalDataThis, in turn, came eight months after the FIS council voted that plan through last April.
Previously, Infront had separate deals with each FIS member in place.
Johan Eliasch, president of the FIS, has now said: "By bringing international media and broadcast rights together under one framework, we can deliver a more consistent and innovative product – one designed for the digital age. This will drive greater visibility, attract more investment, and create new opportunities for our athletes, our disciplines, and our sport."
Christian Scherer, Ski Austria's chief executive and secretary general, added: "We are pleased about this license agreement and the future cooperation. In intensive and constructive discussions on equal terms, we were able to develop a sustainable solution that fully respects Austria’s special position."
The move to centralization was a key part of Eliasch's successful bid for re-election – for a four-year term – as the FIS president in 2022.
For all member bodies except Ski Austria, the centralized deal actually starts with the 2026-27 season.
Mid-August saw the FIS announce the appointment of long-time winter-sports executive Urs Lehmann as the first chief executive (CEO) of the organization.
