NBC Sports Network, which was formerly known as Versus, has announced a three-year media rights agreement with Major League Soccer, which commences at the start of the 2012 season.
Under the new partnership, the network will air 45 MLS games and 4 U.S. Men’s National Team matches across both NBC and NBC Sports Network each season.
Chairman of the NBC Sports Group, Mark Lazarus, hopes his platform will grow the sport’s popularity in the United States, saying:
├óΓé¼┼ôEveryone at the NBC Sports Group is thrilled to begin this partnership with Major League Soccer. MLS is a perfect fit for our new group, and we are uniquely positioned to help grow soccer in the United States with extensive coverage on NBC Sports Network, significant programming on the broadcast network and our growing digital platforms.”
This is good news for soccer fans, of course, because it means MORE SOCCER!