Premier League strikes record £1.9bn deal for TV rights in US
The Premier League has struck a record £1.9billion deal for six years of its United States live rights, starting next season. The agreement with NBC Sports, the rights holder in the US, represents a major uplift from the previous deal, which was worth around £1billion for the sixyear cycle that ends this season.
The increased figure demonstrates the strength of the Premier League in the US, where live rights for all 380 league matches are available. The US market tender was a key litmus test for the post-covid rights market, and the Premier League will be relieved with the outcome. The league’s 20 shareholders are grappling with £2 billion in losses from the pandemic.
The Premier League has now sold its rights for the next cycle post2022 in its major markets including Scandinavia, the Middle East and the US, as well as the three-year £5billion domestic deal with Sky Sports, BT Sport and Amazon Prime Video. Other international markets, such as China, have seen a postcovid fall in values. It is understood that there was competition for NBC Sports from Disney-owned ESPN.
The deals mean that the Premier League can continue its funding of the Football League and the wider football community. The Premier League has renewed its commitment to £1.6billion of solidarity funding down the football pyramid and yesterday pledged extra funding of £20million for League One and League Two clubs and a further £5 million for the top three National League divisions.
That commitment will be crucial as Tracey Crouch MP announces the recommendations for her review of the governance of football, which, it is understood, will include an independent regulator for the game – a measure the Premier League has resisted in the past.
NBC Sports has broadcast the Premier League live in the US since 2013 with games shown across its television network and online platforms. Richard Masters, the Premier League chief executive, said NBC Sports has “significantly strengthened the popularity of the league in the United States through its fantastic coverage and promotion”.