US broadcaster CBS has agreed a multi-year domestic rights deal with the United Soccer League (USL), marking the first time the second-tier competition has ever appeared on network television.
Confirmed:
- CBS will broadcast 100 matches from the USL Championship and USL League One until 2027
- Selected fixtures, including the USL Championship Final, will be broadcast on the main CBS network, and more than 20 matches will air on the CBS Sports Network pay-TV channel
- As many as 75 games will appear on the Paramount+ direct-to-consumer (DTC) service and the CBS Sports Golazo free ad-supported television (FAST) channel
- USL will feature across CBS’s wider sports coverage
Context:
The USL is classified as a ‘Division II’ league by US Soccer, meaning it is only second to Major League Soccer (MLS) in the American pyramid. Only a handful of MLS matches are available on linear television following its US$2.5 billion, ten-year deal with Apple TV, meaning the USL is well positioned to fill the vacuum and bring its games to a wider audience.
The deal also further expands CBS’ soccer portfolio, which includes the Uefa Champions League and Concacaf international tournaments.
Comment:
“The United Soccer League – with its expansive and growing presence across the country – is an excellent addition to CBS Sports’ premium soccer portfolio,” said Dan Weinberg, executive vice president, programming, CBS Sports. “We look forward to making the exciting action of the USL more easily available to fans than ever before and elevating the league with coverage across our CBS Sports platforms. With the USL’s addition to our wide array of soccer properties and robust year-round match coverage, CBS Sports continues to be the premier destination for soccer fans in this country.”
“CBS Sports has become a destination for soccer fans in America, and we are thrilled to bring to their platforms the unique soccer experience that only the USL provides,” added Alec Papadakis, USL chief executive.
“This partnership is a clear indication of the USL’s growth and impact on domestic soccer, providing us with more national TV exposure and platforms to tell stories about our players, clubs, and fans than ever before. We are entering a new, exciting phase, both on and off the field, and we look forward to working with CBS Sports over the next four years to take our leagues and our game to new heights.”
Coming next:
Additional coverage details for the 2024 USL season will be announced in the coming weeks.
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