Friday, July 17, 2026

CBS Wins Rights to Serie A in U.S.

Juventus/Design: Alex Brooks

Thanks to a new media rights deal between CBS and Serie A, U.S. soccer fans will get to watch a lot more of Cristiano Ronaldo. The broadcast rights run for three years at $75 million per year, per Associated Press.

“In a strategic area like the U.S. we have increased by more than 30% the value of our rights with a top partner in CBS,” said Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo.

CBS also owns media rights to the UEFA Champions League, the National Women’s Soccer League, and Argentina’s Liga Profesional de Futbol.

ESPN was the previous owner of Serie A’s U.S. media rights, which it purchased through IMG. In 2017, IMG bought all of the league’s international rights for nearly $450 million per season, then sold them off country by country.

Under the new contract, the league will try to sell rights to each country directly.

Serie A is an Italian soccer league, but five clubs have North American owners: AC Milan, Roma, Fiorentina, Parma, and Bologna. The presence of North American ownership “played a role” in the new CBS deal, per De Siervo.

Streaming service DAZN is in the lead for Serie A’s domestic media rights in Italy with an offer of roughly $1 billion per season. If not assigned by Monday, the offer will expire, triggering a new auction process.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

MLS Commish: ‘We’ve Got a Lot of Boats’ on Soccer’s Rising Tide

The league eyes significant growth in the wake of a massive World Cup.
Nate Burleson Front Office Sports

Nate Burleson: ‘I’d Gladly Take a Pay Cut’ for CBS to Hire Travis Kelce

Burleson also had high praise for CBS’s hiring of Russell Wilson.
2026 ESPY Awards New York Knicks

5 Takeaways From the 2026 ESPY Awards

The annual ESPN awards show returned to New York this year.

Falcons Owner Arthur Blank: Atlanta Is All In on More FIFA

He said Atlanta would “certainly want” to join a potential 2038 bid.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/16/26 – World Cup Final Set, Kawhi Probe, FanDuel VIP Scandal Deepens

0:00

Featured Today

Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
July 10, 2026

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.
ATLANTA, GA - September 05: Georgia Lottery fireworks after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park on Friday, September 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
July 2, 2026

Inside the Spectacle and Science of MLB Fireworks

Postgame fireworks are lighting up baseball for America250.
Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; General view of fireworks over Citizens Bank Park during the fourth inning of the All-Star Game.

MLB All-Star Game Ratings Get a Boost From World Cup

The midseason showcase’s audience rises with a World Cup lead-in.
Adam Friedland
July 15, 2026

How the World Cup Turned Adam Friedland Into a Sports Pundit

The comedian says he’ll continue to create sports content post–World Cup.
Jul 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor (right) attempts a flying kick at the start of his fight against Max Holloway during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
July 16, 2026

McGregor Return Draws Nearly 16 Million Viewers on Paramount+

UFC 329 trailed Freedom 250 in total and average viewership.
Sponsored

Clase Azul Tequila Founder’s Soccer Ownership

Arturo Lomeli talks about managing a tequila brand and two soccer clubs.
Former NFL Coache Jon Gruden have a laugh while attending an NFL training camp session ten at the Miller Electric Center, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
July 15, 2026

Can Jon Gruden Reinvent Himself on Play-by-Play?

Gruden will reportedly call a Buccaneers’ preseason game next month.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA- JULY 13: during the Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Heather Barry / Netflix)
Opinion
July 14, 2026

Netflix Bounces Back With Home Run Derby Debut

After its panned coverage of Opening Night, Netflix focused on the field.
John Smoltz acknowledges the crowd during the introduction of returning inductees at the National Baseball Hall of Fame's 2024 induction ceremony Sunday, July 21, 2024, at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, New York.
July 14, 2026

John Smoltz: MLB All-Star Game Is ‘Absolutely’ Still the Best

The Hall of Fame pitcher will call the Midsummer Classic for Fox.
Apr 16, 2026; Fort Worth, TX, USA; A view of the ESPN logo before the semifinals for the 2026 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics National Championships at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
July 13, 2026

ESPN Blames Human for Headline Error in AI Article

ESPN has been using AI to write certain game recaps since 2024.