Italy to host 2010 men’s Volleyball World Championships
Lausanne, 22 December 2005 – The FIVB is pleased to announce that it has concluded an agreement with FIPAV, the Italian Volleyball Federation, for the organisation of the men’s 2010 Volleyball World Championships in Italy. Furthermore, after four months of intense negotiations, FIVB and RAI have agreed on the terms for the host broadcasting and acquisition of exclusive TV rights for the tournament in the Italian territory. FIVB President Dr Rubén Acosta Hernandez and FIVB TV & Marketing Director Bruno Grande have reached an agreement with FIPAV (Federazione Italiana Pallavollo), through its President Carlo Magri, regarding the organisation by FIPAV of the 2010 men’s World Championships in Italy and the acquisition of all marketing rights associated with the tournament. At the same time, RAI has agreed on the terms for covering all the events of the 2010 men’s Volleyball World Championships as host TV broadcaster and for the acquisition of the exclusive TV rights for the Italian territory. This agreement follows serious negotiations between RAI Sports Rights Acquisition Director Antonio Marano, FIVB President Dr Rubén Acosta Hernandez and Mr Bruno Grande, FIVB TV & Marketing Director, which started in September 2005. The agreement s among RAI’s biggest deals for televised sport. A final contract is expected to be signed in January 2006.
Last but not least, after several meetings, the Swiss Volleyball Federation, Rudi Kunz, the promoter of the Gstaad Open tournament on the SWATCH-FIVB World Tour in Beach Volleyball and the FIVB have finalised an agreement on the terms to hold the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Gstaad in 2007. A separate agreement has also been reached that elevates the Gstaad Open tournament to Grand Slam status for the 2006 and 2008 seasons. Full details of both agreements will be revealed in early 2006.