After the own goal of losing the English Premier League, Sky Television looks to have netted at the right end and secured the rights to next year's Fifa World Cup.
The Herald understands the pay TV network have locked up the major prize of world football's showpiece tournament, the second-mostwatched sporting event in the world.
Sky has endured a rough couple of weeks, being pipped to the EPL by Internet company Coliseum Sports Media and yesterday losing MotoGP to Freeview channel Sommet Sports.
Sky also suffered a public backlash over unscheduled interruptions to the All Blacks' third test against France and the Black Caps' first Twenty20 against England.
But the network will win a reprieve from fans of the beautiful game, at least, with Sky set to broadcast the World Cup alongside TVNZ, as a free-to-air partner, for the fourth tournament in a row.
A Sky spokesperson said the company was unable to confirm the news, saying only Sky had recently been involved in negotiations, but the Herald understands it is a done deal.
Sky could also offer no news on the All Whites' World Cup qualifier, set for Wellington on November 20, a match which will determine New Zealand's involvement in Brazil.
