MILAN/LONDON, April 8 (Reuters) - Italy's Serie A football league has sounded out private equity firms about acquiring a minority stake in the competition's international broadcasting rights, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Reuters reported last year that the league had hired JPMorgan Chase to explore options for a unit that would own the league's international media rights.

The league earns approximately €250 million ($292.6 million) annually from international broadcasting rights. UEFA data reveals this is a paltry sum compared to what the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga generate.

The sources added that Apollo, CVC, Ares, and Sixth Street are among the potential bidders that JPMorgan has informally sounded out regarding the possible deal. One source anticipated that the formal process would begin later this month.

The Italian Football League, J.P. Morgan and Sixth Street declined to comment.

Apollo, CVC and Ares did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Italian Serie A league has faced difficulties in selling broadcasting rights abroad, as interest from broadcasters has waned due to a busy fixture schedule dominated by the expanded Champions League and the popularity of the English Premier League.

The league explored a similar plan in 2021 to sell a stake in its most profitable domestic media unit, but those talks broke down because league clubs failed to reach the required majority to approve the deal.