The Premier League has held talks with broadcasters about scrapping its next domestic media rights auction.
The government is now considering whether to sanction a rollover of the current £4.7bn deal.
Secured in 2018, that sale represented a 10% drop in value.
Clubs are concerned there could be another fall if the usual open-market auction begins as planned next month for the three-year cycle between 2022 and 2025.
The value of rights for domestic leagues in Europe also appears to have peaked.
Talks have been held with the existing live rights holders Sky, BT and Amazon about extending their current deals on similar terms.
But a rollover is now being considered on the basis it would provide all parties with stability amid uncertainties - and the loss of matchday revenue - caused by the pandemic.
However, rival broadcasters may object to being denied the right to bid, and such a move would require government approval, given concerns over competition law.
