This league just keeps growing and growing! http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/10/m-l-s-and-nbc-sports-announce-new-tv-deal/
It would better if this deal was in addition to a FSC deal. Having three networks showing games would be better then just two. That said, I think NBC/Vs.(NBCS) will put more effort into the production of the games and per/post game shows.
Does this mean we'll hear the dulcet tones of Joe Beninati calling MLS matches? If so, get me a gun so I can blow my head off.
ESPN isn't going anywhere because they still want to promote the USMNT since they've got the 2014 WC rights.
I googled NBC Sports Network and realized its the new name for Versus as of Jan-2012. It's too bad that NBC will only broadcast a few MLS games on public TV. At least it looks like I won't have to pay extra to watch it on u-verse. "In each year of the deal, the NBC network will broadcast two regular-season M.L.S. games, two playoff games and two national team games (Soccer United Marketing, the marketing arm of M.L.S., owns the rights to the United States national team). The NBC Sports Network will televise 38 regular-season games, 3 playoff games and 2 national team matches. The agreement also gives NBC digital rights across all platforms. NBC was recently acquired by Comcast."
FSC is Anglo Centric. They exist only to show EPL matches and that's the only thing they get good ratings on. They didn't get over a .2 for any of their broadcasts despite all the marketing of Soccer Night In America. But it's a win for the MLS to have the network exposure that Fox wouldn't pony. Even ESPN stopped putting MLS on ABC. Though they have a much higher penetration than any other sports cable channel. Something like 100,000 households.
So if no more Soccer Night in America, what happens to Eric Wynalda and Christopher Sullivan? Too bad Eric is in the ESPN outhouse. He is definitely the liveliest American soccer commentator out there and needs to be back on ESPN.
One or both might just go to NBC. Surely JP and the other guy - guy married to Susan Sarandon's daughter (drawing a blank) - surely both of them might bolt. JP has already worked with NBC on the Olympic soccer.
I guess that makes sense, those guys going to NBC. Susan Sarandon's (future?) son-in-law = the terribly boring Kyle Martino.
lol I remember during the summer olympics when NBC had commercial breaks while the match was still going on! Hopefully that doesn't happen with the MLS matches
Eric Wynalda & Christopher Sullivan were joined by Jimmy Conrad on their MLS post-game show last night Aug-20 (is it called Soccer Night in America?). I know with Conrad's retirement, he wants to get into commentating. The odd thing is that Wynalda was in high-ADD mode, talking really fast, interrupting both Conrad and Sullivan, so that neither could really make their points. Doesn't seem like the right way to treat a guest, and Eric certainly didn't do that when Coby joined them during the Gold Cup analyses. Was Eric trying to step up his act for NBC, or was he just competing against Conrad? The few chances Jimmy had a chance to speak, I thought he came across really well, has a nice voice, good smile, good comments. He just needs to sit up straighter. Any thoughts?
Dick Ebersol's NBC Sports didn't care about shitting on sports fans. Hopefully with him gone they will finally step into the 21st century. Maybe blame the producer/director enforcing time constraints?
Joe Beninati = stinks. As for Wynalda, Sullivan, Martino = They are awful. I fall asleep watching FSC. Hopefully NBC will search for new soccer talent and not recycle what currently stinks! And ESPN with their "english" flair is really turning off many American soccer fans. We are in AMERICA, not the UK. Just because some of these guys have an accent doesn't mean they know what the heck they're talking about......just listen to Smyth or Darke for a few minutes. You'll shake your head at this amateur hour.
Meh that's kinda not true. Some teams are doing very well, while others, are barely staying afloat. The salary cap is needed to allow the poorer clubs to get there own stadiums. Also as were in a time of expansion, the league needs to keep from going to fast. Soccer in the 70's was huge, but they overpayed the stars and it all fell apart, rather quickly when the novelty wore off.
I have found NBC's answer for an AMERICAN Play-by-Play guy: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqW_tUH8E5M"]Vancouver Whitecaps FC @ Rochester Rhinos - Highlights - YouTube[/ame] He is the broadcaster for the Rochester Rhinos of the USL.