Voluntary code: UK sports bodies plough £142m of TV money into grassroots

The UK's largest sports organisations have reinvested £142m of their broadcasting income into developing grassroots under the new voluntary code on broadcasting.

It is a significant increase from the year before when the code delivered a £125m cash boost for grassroots sport.

The signatories – which include The Football Association (FA), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and The Rugby Football Union (RFU) – have also re-committed to making their major events available for the free-to-air market.

The Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Broadcasting of Major Sporting Events (VCCB) requires signatories to put a minimum of 30 per cent of net broadcasting revenues back into their respective sports.

The latest figures were revealed by the Sports Broadcast Monitoring Committee (SBMC), the body which oversees compliance with the code.

“As this year’s compliance assessment demonstrates, the code plays a vital role in ensuring that revenues generated at the top end of sport are reinvested back into the long-term development of the grassroots to create opportunities for all," said SBMC chair Jon Zeff.

“In addition, the code provides assurance that, wherever possible, the best sporting events are available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for a subscription service.

“£142m represents a significant contribution to the development of the respective sports and reinforces the importance of the code as a collective commitment by governing bodies and event organisers.”

To find out more about the code and the signatories, click here.