It looks like Qatar just invested more money into sports.
Qatar-based beIN sports has just been awarded the exclusive rights to broadcast the winter and summer Olympic Games from 2018 through 2024 in the Middle East and North Africa. The International Olympic Committee did not reveal the exact amount paid for the rights, but it has been reported that the amount could have exceeded $150 million, citing broadcast sources.
The deal covers all languages, television, mobile and digital broadcasting and also the rights to air the Youth Olympics. Arab States Broadcast Union held the rights to broadcast the 2014 Winter Olympic Games and holds the rights for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
"With its [beIN SPORTS] excellent track record in broadcasting, we believe that it will provide fantastic coverage across the region of each edition of the Olympic Games, including free-to-air television coverage. beIN Sports has also committed to providing unprecedented promotion of Olympic sports all year round, including significant support for the Olympic Channel in the future," IOC President Thomas Bach said, according to Arabian Business.
BeIN Media Group is affiliated with Qatar's international media network Al Jazeera. The global sports network broadcasts in 32 countries across 5 continents and was first incorporated in January of 2014. The company previously held the rights to broadcast the 2014 World Cup.