– I’m cursed – VG

– I’m cursed, to put it bluntly, Utvik tells VG on Saturday morning.

This winter, the Norwegian Football Association has refused to give the women’s clubs the right to decide in the process of selling television rights, while the men’s clubs were in power when a package that included all-round tournaments. sexes was sold for NOK 4.5 billion to TV 2.

210 million of the 4,500 million are destined to women’s football, that is, less than five percent of the total value, without Toppfotball Kvinner (TFK) currently knowing how much the NFF will have of that sum.

On Friday night, VG was able to reveal that women lost 150 million, as the Telenor / Altibox alliance failed to finalize its offer, which meant around 360 million for women’s football. This offer came after NFF / NTF agreed to enter an exclusive bargaining period with TV 2. A decision that Toppfotball Women should not have had any influence over.

– I feel like we haven’t made any progress at all. The negotiation process has been carried out by NFF and Norsk Toppfotball, he growls. When Toppfotball Kvinner has not been allowed to be around the table, not once as an observer, they have not been given an idea of ​​what is happening. So I think it smells a lot. And we are in the year 2020 of the Lord, says Utvik.

He is a long-time investor and current Chairman of the Board of Avaldsnes. Daughter Nathalie also plays on the Toppserien team.

NFF President Terje Svendsen is informed about the content of this case and responds further down in the article.

Read also: Ivar Koteng vs. NFF

Great importance

Utvik joined Avaldsnes in 2012. Since then, he has helped lead Karmøy 1st division club to the Toppserien, Gold Cup and several appearances in the Champions League playoffs with matches against Lyon and Barcelona.

The leader of Avaldsnes, Stian Nygaard, describes Utvik’s contribution as follows:

– Arne Utvik has meant a lot to the Norwegian, and I would dare to say that also in top-level international football. We have had several of the best players in the world with us who have influenced Norwegian football. He was groundbreaking when he came in here. It has turned all of Norwegian women’s football into the form of professionalisation, Nygaard tells VG.

He lists the broadcast of matches and professional contracts as something Avaldsnes was the first to do.

– One thing is the financial contribution that Arne has made over many years, another thing is the courage and the will to face the tough matches that have been extremely important for Norwegian women’s football, says Nygaard.

Can take out

Now, however, Utvik’s involvement may be over. In any case, he feels that way after the NFF rights process where women experience complete exclusion.

– I think it’s heavy. It’s sad. I count the buttons if it bothers me more. I wonder if I should put my personal commitment on the shelf. This is too heavy, says Utvik.

The leader of Avaldsnes, Nygaard, is also upset.

– I think it is a very strange process, of which I am cursed. The worst thing here is that we don’t know anything. What we know comes from you at VG. This agreement here is very important to us, because it is the one that will guarantee that women’s football is sustainable over time, says Nygaard.

– How is it perceived that women’s football does not have the right to decide in the sales process?

– It feels exclusive that others decide the result for us. The way NFF responds to the media, and in all contexts, with the arrogant tone and attitude, where they really only explain what has happened, but never go into the why … Why the Top Football Women are they not allowed to listen and participate in discussions? There is no one to answer. The whole thing is embarrassing.

– Then the news comes through you that you have signed an agreement. Then there is subsequent news that Telenor / Altibox’s offer was better than TV 2’s in women’s football. It doesn’t rhyme with anything, Nygaard says.

– If Utvik withdraws, what consequences will it have for women’s football?

– It will have extremely great consequences. Then you lose the power that dares to challenge, and we have to have it. For now see how our own union overlooks us. They should be there for us, not the other way around. This hurts, that is. What will you do to ensure that we are properly valued and engaged in negotiations? We will not have to inform ourselves through VG.

The President’s Response

NFF President Terje Svendsen has been informed that Utvik is considering withdrawing its contribution to women’s football because it is “cursed” by the TV deal and the process surrounding it, where TFK could not decide.

VG has also submitted statements from Svendsen alleging NFF arrogance and that “it is disgraceful.” The head of the NFF responds as follows in a text message:

“On the part of the NFF, it is natural that we work to achieve the best possible conditions for both women and men in Norwegian football. The Norwegian Football Association is our clubs and members, both in children’s and youth football, American football and world-class football.

We have had several meetings with Toppfotball Kvinner (TFK) along the way. From entry to negotiation base, meetings with TFK and clubs. The fact that we have not been involved, we do not recognize ourselves.

No other player put on the negotiating table a greater sum in the agreed process that was announced in advance. Not for women’s football either. The rights of the best women in soccer have seen the largest increase, ten times more than the current agreement.

We have a common goal in football: to keep increasing the revenue from women’s football in the years to come. TV2 contributed greatly to raising the brand and commercial value of the then Tippeligaen for men’s football. This is the development that we also want for women’s football. So we are happy to have TV 2 and NRK in the team, who want to help improve women’s football in Norway. “