USL and CBS Sports sign four-year media rights agreement
The United Soccer League (USL) and CBS Sports have announced a four-year media rights agreement that will see the league's matches featured on network television for the first time ever.
As part of the agreement, CBS Sports will air 100 USL matches annually through the 2027 USL Championship and USL League One seasons. The games will be shown across CBS, Paramount+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
In a first for the USL, several of its games will be featured on the CBS broadcast network, including the USL Championship final.
“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 of programming for 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."
CBS Sports has taken over the rights from ESPN, which carried all USL Championship and USL League One games on ESPN+ during the 2023 season.
The final game of ESPN's deal will see the Charleston Battery host Phoenix Rising FC in the USL Championship final on ESPN2 on Sunday night.
“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.
“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.”
Related
Kimbrough, 13, makes historic debut for Sacramento Republic
USL Championship side San Diego Loyal will fold after 2023 season
24-hour soccer channel CBS Sports Golazo Network to launch April 11