TV 2 Editor Gives Premium Package to Alfie Haaland

Vegard Jansen Hagen, the sports editor for TV 2, has come under scrutiny after providing a free premium streaming subscription to Alfie Haaland, the father of Manchester City striker Erling Braut Haaland.

The revelation emerged on April 14, 2026, following reports from VG that the subscription was granted through an internal request made by Jansen Hagen. The request was shared on TV 2’s internal communication platform in a group consisting of more than 600 employees.

Internal Communications and Special Treatment

In the internal message, Jansen Hagen requested a Mer Fotball subscription for Alfie Haaland, justifying the move by describing the former footballer as an important partner for Sporten.

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The Mer Fotball package is a premium add-on for the TV 2 Play streaming service. Provided in collaboration with Viaplay, the package allows viewers to watch the FA Cup, the League Cup, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and the Championship, as well as Europa League and Conference League matches that do not feature Norwegian teams.

While the add-on itself costs 99 Norwegian kroner per month, it requires a base subscription to either the Favoritt package at 189 kroner per month or the Total package at 399 kroner per month. The total monthly cost of such a subscription can reach nearly 500 kroner.

Response from TV 2

When questioned by VG regarding the internal phrasing and the provision of the free service, Vegard Jansen Hagen characterized the message as a hasty formulation.

This was a hasty formulation in an internal message that is in no way representative of our relationship with Alfie Haaland. This proves best characterized as turbulent, so calling him an important partner is wrong. Things just moved too quickly on a Sunday afternoon, and it just looks stupid in hindsight.

Vegard Jansen Hagen in a response to VG

Jansen Hagen admitted that the description of Alfie Haaland as an important partner was incorrect, citing the volatile nature of their professional relationship.

Alfie Haaland’s Professional Background

Alfie Haaland is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder or right-back. His playing career included stints with Leeds United, Manchester City, and the Norwegian national team, for which he earned 34 caps before retiring in 2003.

Beyond his playing career, Alfie Haaland has operated as a business partner and agent for his son, Erling Braut Haaland. This role has been financially lucrative; in 2025, Dagens Næringsliv reported that Alfie Haaland had earned 380 million kroner over an eight-year period through one of his companies.

Additional reporting from Dagbladet noted that Alfie Haaland relocated to Switzerland, a known tax haven, in May 2023.