PREMIER LEAGUE
Premier League agrees $2.6 billion deal with NBC in US
The financial pulling power of the English top flight has dwarfed that of other leagues over the past couple of decades. And it's not resting on its laurels.
And the money just keeps on rolling in...
On Thursday it was announced that NBC Sports had extended its partnership with the Premier League in a deal worth $2.6 billion. This will see the broadcaster have exclusive rights to the matches in the USA over a further six seasons, from 2022/23 to 2027/28. By the end of that campaign NBC will have had this monopoly in the States for 15 consecutive years.
This eye-watering deal is the largest that the English top flight has made for the broadcast rights abroad and comes in at around double that of the previous agreement made with NBC. It seems the perceived impending bubble hasn't yet burst, especially when you consider that the package they have in place in the UK is a whopping $7 billion.
Forget the future, Premier League games are back on this weekend following the international break, and you can find out NBC Sports' schedule right here.
Premier League news:
Premier League increase funding to lower divisions
Thursday was a busy day for Premier League financial announcements. As well as the US deal with NBC, and possibly going hand-in-hand with it, the EPL said it would be providing additional funding to clubs in England's third, fourth and fifth tiers to aid their financial recovery from the covid-19 pandemic.
League One and League Two sides will receive a further 20 million pounds ($26.95 million) in the 2021-22 season while five million pounds will go to the 66 clubs in three National League divisions between this year and 2025.
Last year, the Premier League reached an agreement with the English Football League (EFL) to provide a 250 million pounds bailout package for lower division clubs.
The second-tier Championship received an interest-free loan of 200 million pounds while League One and League Two clubs were awarded a grant of 50 million pounds.
The additional funding covers five areas - support for the National League system, developing the women's and girls' game, enhancing community football facilities, supporting EFL clubs and projects that help the wider game.