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October 27, 2005
US television broadcasters are finally waking up to soccer
We nearly missed an important news item today, tucked away at the end of Michael Hiestand's USA Today column on Sports Television. There, after a review of ESPN's latest studio lineup for NBA games and a note that the 2005 World Series will have the lowest TV ratings in the event's history, are two bits of information that mark milestones for televised soccer in this country:
- ABC, NBC, and Fox are all bidding for the English-language U.S. broadcast rights for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
- MLS will be paid its first-ever rights fee in its next English-language TV contract, which is due to start in 2007.
Readers may recall that no one wanted to buy the rights to the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, resulting in the purchase of those rights by SUM, the marketing arm of MLS. Competition for the rights to the 2010 and 2014 broadcasts are a significant sign of the sport's growth in this country.
As for MLS finally selling the broadcast rights to their own games—the league has always purchased the airtime themselves up until now—it could be the light at the end of the tunnel for the league's owners, who would certainly enjoy trading red ink for black on their television budgets.
Hiestand has an interesting comment from MLS Commissioner Don Garber:
Garber also suggests FIFA, in awarding U.S. World Cup rights, might consider requiring the winning bidder to also carry MLS games: "It's our view that FIFA will ensure that any decision they make will support overall growth in soccer interest in this country."
Posted by Jay at October 27, 2005 08:05 PM
Comments
This is how it is with our beautiful game- inch by inch....Three steps forward two back...that adds up to a step forward and this news seems to reflect that. MLS is a good product on a game by game basis, but its marketing is haphazard and even the awards leave one wondering if the league is embarassed that a team it barely includes or supports is its best team; case in point: How do you pick Conrad over Califf? Before Danny we let in goals at a 2 per game clip...after Danny arrived best goals against in the league...plus two crucial goals scored...nice job KC; LAST YEAR! Oh, and how does Klein get Comeback Player of the Year over Cerritos when he has roughly the same numbers back to back...he had an injury and returned within a half season to post similar numbers...he was never really gone! Cerritos' runs, assists and goals especially after Ching's injury meant much more to San Jose- a team that posted a serious comeback (4th to 1st)...he took over the Donovan role of running off defenders and creating on the fly...that from being a bench warmer in DC....
If Taylor Twellman gets MVP I'm going to...I'm going to hope they come to their senses and give the MVP to DeRo, and the Coach of the Year to Dom, BUT if we find victory plus a couple goals vs LA...THAT WILL BE PAYMENT ENOUGH...despite its strangely in spite of itself attitude MLS IS progressing....and hopefully San Jose will be along with it!
Posted by: Matthew Martin at October 28, 2005 07:29 AM