MILAN : Serie A is exploring potential alternatives to a title sponsorship deal with Telecom Italia (TIM) whose brand has been tied with Italy's top flight soccer league for over two decades, sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.Serie A is seeking to sign a more lucrative deal once the existing three-year contract with TIM - the league's title sponsor - expires in June.Under such a deal, TIM grants Serie A some 20 million euros ($21.67 million) annually and so far the telecoms firm has showed little appetite in improving financial terms as CEO Pietro Labriola is on hunt for savings as part of a restructuring effort, the sources said.Beside TIM, other companies, including energy group ENI have been in talks with Serie A in recent weeks and are considering a bid for the sponsorship deal, according to the sources.TIM, and Eni declined to comment.
Serie A was not immediately available to comment.Serie A clubs representatives will meet on Friday to take stock of negotiations at a scheduled meeting in Milan but a decision is not expected yet as talks are ongoing, the sources added.TIM has been title sponsorship partner with Serie A since the 1998/1999 season.($1 = 0.9231 euros)