Thursday November 30, 2023

USL, CBS Sports Agree To Media Deal Through 2027

  • The league and broadcaster announced a multiyear deal to air 100 USL Championship and USL League One matches annually.
  • CBS Sports will broadcast several matches on its main CBS channel each season — marking the first time the USL will be presented on network television.
Northern Colorado Hailstorm defender Bruno Rendon brings the ball to the goal during a USL League One playoff match vs. Forward Madison on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 at Future Legends Field in Windsor, Colorado.
Tanya B. Fabian/For The Coloradoan / USA TODAY NETWORK
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

The United Soccer League and CBS Sports have reached a landmark agreement to bring the second and third tiers of American men’s professional soccer to their biggest stage yet. 

On Tuesday, the league and broadcaster announced a multiyear deal to air 100 USL Championship and USL League One matches annually through 2027. 

CBS Sports will select a handful of USL matches, including the USL Championship Final, to air on its main CBS channel each season — marking the first time the league will be presented on network television.

The deal also includes 20 matches on CBS Sports Network and 75 matches on CBS Sports Golazo Network each season. CBS and Golazo Network matches will be simulcast on Paramount+. 

“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,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “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.”

A CBS Sports source told Front Office Sports that following the launch of Golazo Network last spring, the company began considering acquiring more soccer rights. When it saw a viewership bump for its presentations of the U.S. Open Cup — with an assist from Lionel Messi and Inter Miami — the USL rights became much more attractive.

The USL’s current media deal with ESPN has shown more games per season — with all 620 between the Championship and League One going on at least ESPN+ — but the Disney-owned property never elevated the leagues to network television on ABC.

The 2023 USL Championship Final will be contested between Charleston Battery and Phoenix Rising on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Professional-Fighters-League

PFL, ESPN Agree on New Multiyear Broadcast Rights Deal

ESPN+ PPV will be the home of the PFL’s new Super Fight Division.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts tosses the ball to fans after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Philadelphia Eagles Continue To Be NFL’s Biggest Draw

Philadelphia was once again in one of the NFL's most-watched games.

Women's Sports Revenue Set to Hit $1B In 2024

A new report predicts record revenue in 2024.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

What’s Next for Mark Cuban, Mavericks After $3.5B Sale?

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.
LSU Lady Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey reacts against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA Womens Basketball Final Four National Championship at American Airlines Center.
November 6, 2023

Who Is The Highest-Paid Women’s College Basketball Coach?

LSU rewarded Kim Mulkey after winning a national title after her second year leading the program.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Wasserman
Multiple - USA Careers
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Saco Bay PT
Multiple - USA Careers

NASCAR Secures $7.7B Media Rights Deals

Amazon and Warner Bros. Discovery come on as new partners.
Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum rushes in the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium.
November 29, 2023

Ohio State-Michigan Thriller Produces Record Viewership For Fox

It was the most-watched regular season CFB game in Fox’s history.
disney wbd
November 29, 2023

Disney, WBD Chiefs Lament New Sports Media Challenges

Zaslav, Iger point to heightened complexity of their sports media operations.
Sponsored

USGA’s Amanda Weiner on Delivering
Personalized Fan Experiences with
 AI and Automation

How the USGA is using AI to streamline content creation and distribution.
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert runs with the ball against New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner during the second half at MetLife Stadium.
November 29, 2023

On Black Friday, Amazon Delivers Lowest-Rated Game

It was the second-least-watched game on Amazon in 2023.
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft celebrates a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023.
November 28, 2023

Football Dominates Thanksgiving, With A Side Of Basketball

Fox earned its highest viewership for college basketball ever.
November 28, 2023

Greg Olsen's Coaching Ambitions Could Shake Up Fox Sports' NFL Broadcasts

The current No. 1 analyst could be a candidate for a head coaching job with the Carolina Panthers.
Disney
November 28, 2023

ESPN Investors Not A Sure Thing, Disney CEO Says

Disney is exploring selling a stake in ESPN.