Apparently MLS bought the 2002 and 2006 World Cups (plus the 2003 Women's World Cup) for $40-50 million total, and MLS did not receive any rights fees until the 2006 season. At the time, the NHL was receiving $125 million per year from ESPN. I can't imagine other (English-language) soccer coverage coming anywhere close to that. I have no idea about the Spanish language rights, now or 10 years ago.
Ummmm every 4 years, but alternating every 2 thanks to the summer/winter offset. I phrased it that way more to emphasize that while only a short event that comes every couple years it fills large blocks of time. The future schedule as of today is 2014 Sochi winter games 2016 Rio summer games 2018 Pyeongchang winter games 2020 TBD summer games to be awarded September 7,2013
Well to be fair it is the top professional level outdoor Lacrosse league globally. Even if it was founded by Body by Jake.....