India’s top-most sporting network, Sony Pictures Networks (SPN), has announced that it has bagged the exclusive rights to telecast the prestigious football award, the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
The event’s broadcast rights are in the Indian subcontinent, which includes India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, as well as non-exclusive rights in Pakistan.
The Ballon d’Or event will be telecast live on Sony Ten 2 channels on October 17 at 10:20 PM IST. The award show will also be live-streamed on SonyLIV, SPN’s OTT platform.
The Ballon d’Or is an annual football award presented by France Football that recognises top players from various European clubs. The Ballon d’Or, widely regarded as one of the top football awards, has played an important role in recognising the world’s best football players. The award, which dates back to 1956, has seen some legendary players rise to prominence.
Ada Hegerberg became the first female footballer to obtain the Ballon d’Or in 2018 when the marquee prize began honouring top female football players. The 66th edition of the marquee awards will go down in history as first time the results are announced by season rather than a year. With the seven-time winner, Lionel Messi, out of contention, the Ballon d’Or will be awarded to a new winner in 2022 as top football players prepare for the night. While the nominees for this year’s award were revealed on August 12, fans are vouching for the Real Madrid legend, Karim Benzema, to take centre stage and receive the highly valued trophy.
Talking about women’s football, the Barcelona footballer Alexia Putellas is a fan favourite, ahead of Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and Arsenal’s Beth Mead.
Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India, said, “Ballon d’Or is considered the top football honour across the globe, and it is our privilege to be associated with such a prestigious award. The award is a pinnacle of recognition for football players worldwide, and we endeavour to provide such content to football fans in India.
“Ballon d’Or has recognized the greatest footballers in the past and continues to do so as football fans across the nation wait eagerly to see their favourite player crowned as the winner and enter the greatest of the greats club.”