F1 working on global mobile phone rights deal

Bernie Ecclestone's FOA is currently considering a number of tender offers from companies wishing to secure the mobile telephone rights to Formula 1 racing, which is understood to include the potential to send video clips, timing and so on to mobile telephones and other similar devices. The deal was put out to tender for a two month period and the closing date for bids was March 31. The rights on offer only go as far as 2007 but we believe that the deal is a global one and would allow the rights holder to sub-license the rights in individual countries. This process is obviously one which could be worth many millions of dollars to FOA and it will be interesting to see what happens. The offers are now being considered but there may be further competition if the FOA thinks it can get more. Grandprix.com