BBC won’t show major sport event ‘despite being offered chance to broadcast footage for FREE’ in blow to fans

THE BBC has turned down the chance to show what could be a historic sailing competition this week.

That is despite the fact that the Beeb were reportedly offered the chance to show footage of the America’s Cup match between Great Britain and New Zealand for FREE.

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The BBC have reportedly turned down the chance to show an America’s Cup match for free[/caption]

The national broadcaster could yet strike a deal for the latter part of the series if Ineos Britannia are doing well.

The action is due to start on Saturday with two races, but the BBC has declined to commit to live coverage or highlights this weekend.

The Telegraph reports that the broadcaster failed to reach an agreement with the America’s Cup organisers.

And there were allegedly issues with branding on the world feed. 

The racing will be shown live on TNT Sports, as well as on YouTube and on the America’s Cup website, as it has been throughout the challenger series.

Five-time Team GB Olympic medallist Sir Ben Ainslie’s team made history last week.

Ainsile’s team defeated Italians Luna Rossa to become the first British team for 60 years to qualify for the final of sport’s oldest international competition.

They now face defenders Emirates Team New Zealand in another first-to-seven series for the chance to lift the “Auld Mug”, which begins on October 12.

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Sir Ben Ainslie and his team celebrate with the Louis Vuitton Cup after beating Italy[/caption]

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The opponents are due to face each other in a press conference on Friday morning where it is understood a haka will be performed on stage.

BBC Sport have said that they will be covering the event through news and digital reporting.

The inaugural Women’s America’s Cup continued on Thursday but teams were frustrated by a lack of wind in Barcelona.

Only one of the four scheduled races in Group A, which features Britain’s Athena Pathway, could be completed. 

Hannah Mills’ team finished second behind Switzerland in that race to move joint top of the group alongside Italy.

Fleet racing will continue on Friday with the top three in each group qualifying for the semi-finals later in the day.