Optus Sport secures rights to K League, becomes first Australian broadcaster to resume live major football
Optus Sport has secured the rights to South Korea’s K League for 2020 with the games set to begin this week.
The K League is the top division of football in South Korea and follows Optus Sport securing the J League in February. The 2020 season begins in primetime on Friday with the Suwon Bluewings taking on Jeonbuk.
The K League joins Optus Sports’ live football offering
Richard Bayliss, Optus director of sport, said the return of live sport will help fill the content hole in the lives of fans.
“I know I’m not the only one who’s been staring longingly out the window waiting for live sport to return, so to bring the K League to viewers in such a friendly time zone from this weekend is something we’re really excited about,” said Bayliss.
“In light of COVID-19, we have faith in South Korea’s capability to start the K League while respecting societal requirements to keep players and the wider community safe.”
Two matches will air live and on demand of every round from the K League 1 Division.
Australians playing in the K League include reigning Golden Boot winner Adam Taggart, his Suwon Bluewings teammate Terry Antonis, the Pohang Steelers’ Brandon O’Neill, Jason Davidson from Ulsan Hyundai and Rashid Mahazi from Incheon United.
Bayliss added: “The Australian players are likely to be key to their clubs’ hopes and Suwon Bluewings pair Adam Taggart and Terry Antonis taking on reigning champions Jeonbuk in the season opener on Friday evening will be fantastic.”
In March, Optus Sport secured the rights to the 2020 Copa America tournament. Last month it announced it would be broadcasting live streams of English Premier League stars playing EA Sports’ FIFA 2020.
The streaming service has also revealed that from the start of March to 30 April 2020, the Optus Sport active base has retracted only 0.5% to 820,000 activated subscriptions.
In March it was announced that Optus Sport would suspend subscription fees for customers on a paid subscription until the end of May.
