MLS to Broadcast Games in The Middle East, North Africa
By Phil Naegely
This year MLS has sold their TV rights to companies in the UK, Europe, and Brazil. Now their games and coverage with expand to the Middle East and North Africa thanks to a four-year deal with Abu Dhabi Sports Channel.
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As stated in the league’s press release, “As part of this four-year agreement, starting with the 2015 season, the United Arab Emirates based broadcaster will telecast at least two MLS regular season matches per week, as well as the AT&T MLS All-Star Game, the MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup, on the Abu Dhabi Sports Channels (Abu Dhabi Al Riyadiya and Abu Dhabi Al Riyadiya 2). In addition, the broadcaster will have exclusive rights to pay and free-to-air (FTA) TV, including digital live streaming of MLS matches, allowing for unprecedented coverage across the region.”
President and Managing Director of MLS Business Ventures Gary Stevenson spoke about the new deal between MLS and Abu Dhabi Sports Channel.
"“Our new partnership with Abu Dhabi Media Company is another affirmation of the growing interest in MLS around the globe, as both a league and media property,” said Gary Stevenson, President and Managing Director, MLS Business Ventures. “We are excited to be partnered with a market leader in sports media and look forward to providing fans in the Middle East and North Africa with access to the high-quality programming MLS has to offer.”"
This deal is great news for the league. It appears that the league is finally becoming a serious global brand in its 20th season. This deal will see league action shown in 25 countries throughout the region. More and more countries are now able to watch MLS in various capacities and that is good news as the league continues to grow and enters a new era.
It will be interesting to see what other regions or country MLS may air its games. Yet, having games shown throughout Europe, the UK, North Africa and the Middle East, and Brazil is a great start for the league and its growth and brand awareness. Despite losing Volkswagen as a sponsor, the league has added well-known and respectable companies as news sponsors including Audi. With a expanded national television coverage with a deal seeing three games a week across ESPN, FOX Sports, and Unimas networks, more homes are able to see MLS games both in the US and aboard.
The league’s 20th should be one worth watching and a record number of countries will be able to tune in stars of various men’s national teams.
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