By Jonathan Easton

Eurovision Sport has announced the hire of Stefan-Eric Wildemann as its head of football.

Wildemann joins from Deltatre, where he served as senior director of business development. Prior to that, the exec served as head of sales and distribution at FIFA for three years where he was charged with the global placement of media rights and the management of the FIFA TV sales and distribution department.

In his role at Eurovision Sport, Widemann will be charged with the exploitation and development of football rights that includes the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in England.

Director of acquisitions, Adrian Fikentscher said: “Football is key for public service media and for EBU and its Members. With his background, his great knowledge of the relevant markets, as well as his excellent management skills, Stefan-Eric will help us to ensure that top football events can continue to be seen free-to-air across Europe and beyond, including digitally.”

Stefan-Eric Wildemann said: “I feel privileged to join Eurovision Sport in such an exciting role that will help the organisation to further build on its strong football rights portfolio and support the EBU Members in the acquisition and exploitation of the biggest football properties for public service media.”

The hire of Wildemann comes after Pascal Fratellia was promoted from head of rootball rights to commercial director in July.