NBC Sports Group, Major League Soccer Ink Three-Year Privileges Deal

NEW You are able to -- NBC Sports Group, a part of Comcast's NBCUniversal, and Major League Soccer on Wednesday revealed a 3-year media privileges deal, beginning using the 2012 season. The offer will replace what was previously a privileges package held by News Corp.'s Fox Soccer Funnel. Wally Disney's ESPN is constantly on the hold MLS game privileges for many more years. Financials the agreement weren't revealed. It requires 45 MLS games and four U.S. men's national team matches to become public liveon NBC and NBC Sports Network, that will change its title from Versus by Jan. 2, each season. Stated Mark Lazarus, chairman, NBC Sports Group: "MLS is an ideal fit for the new group, and that we are distinctively situated to assist grow soccer within the U . s . States with extensive coverage on NBC Sports Network, significant programming about the broadcast network and our growing digital platforms. Furthermore, this agreement complements the close ties that five in our regional sports systems have using their local MLS teams." Comcast SportsNets in California, Chicago, the mid-Atlantic, Colonial andPhiladelphia have such handles local teams. NBC will broadcast two regular-season MLS games, two playoff games and 2 national team matches each season, marking the very first time since 2002 that four MLS matches is going to be broadcast on British-language network TV. NBC Sports Network will air 38 regular-season games, three playoff games and 2 national team games. The NBC Sports Group also acquired digital privileges across all digital platforms and products for that games it airs. "Our new partnership using the NBC Sports Group is really a significant advance for Major League Soccer and U.S. soccer," stated MLS commissioner and Soccer U . s . Marketing Boss Don Garber. "We're excited to participate NBC's ambitious plans for soccer, and anticipate reaching a substantial audience on multiple platforms." Related Subjects Comcast NBC NBCUniversal NBC Sports