The shutdown of sports from the coronavirus pandemic will lead to financial problems for global broadcasters and ultimately less money for sports rights in the near future, according to The Times, reports, www.sportspromedia.com/.

The UK newspaper cites senior figures from the English soccer's top-flight Premier League, the broadcast industry, as well as European and international soccer, all of whom have warned of less income from TV and sponsorship across the board.

An anonymous broadcasting executive said he is "absolutely certain" there will be a "lot less money for sport" in the future as media companies deal with the financial hurt of the Covid-19 outbreak. The likes of digital sports broadcaster DAZN and French pay-TV network Canal+ have already said they will not be paying rights holders whilst live games are suspended, while the German Football League (DFL) is looking to find a solution with Sky Deutschland.

The UK's pay-TV broadcasters Sky Sports and BT Sport, both of which hold the bulk of domestic rights for the Premier League, are reportedly losing large numbers of subscribers with no live sports to show. Industry insiders are said to be worried how many of those customers will return when play eventually resumes, with a smaller subscriber base likely resulting in reduced bids for future rights cycles.