The world of sports is a multi-billion dollar industry and one of the key revenue streams for these sports organizations is through broadcasting contracts. Broadcasting contracts are agreements between sports leagues and television networks to broadcast their games to millions of viewers worldwide. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 biggest sports leagues broadcasting contracts in history.
1. National Football League (NFL) – $110 billion
The NFL is the most-watched sport in America and it`s no surprise that it`s at the top of the list. The NFL signed a 10-year deal with CBS, Fox, and NBC worth a combined $110 billion in 2014. The deal ensures that the league`s games are broadcasted on these networks until 2022.
2. National Basketball Association (NBA) – $24 billion
The NBA is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world and in 2014, it signed a nine-year deal with ESPN and TNT worth $24 billion. The deal ensures that these networks will broadcast the league`s games until 2025.
3. English Premier League (EPL) – $8 billion
The EPL is the most-watched football league in the world and in 2015, it signed a three-year deal with Sky Sports and BT Sport worth $8 billion. The deal ensures that these networks will broadcast the league`s games until 2019.
4. Major League Baseball (MLB) – $12.4 billion
The MLB is America`s favorite pastime and in 2014, it signed an eight-year deal with ESPN, Fox, and TBS worth $12.4 billion. The deal ensures that these networks will broadcast the league`s games until 2021.
5. National Hockey League (NHL) – $5.2 billion
The NHL is one of the most exciting sports leagues in North America and in 2011, it signed a 10-year deal with NBC worth $5.2 billion. The deal ensures that NBC will broadcast the league`s games until 2021.
6. Indian Premier League (IPL) – $1.975 billion
The IPL is one of the most-watched sports leagues in India and in 2017, it signed a five-year deal with Star Sports worth $1.975 billion. The deal ensures that Star Sports will broadcast the league`s games until 2022.
7. UEFA Champions League – $2.5 billion
The UEFA Champions League is the most-watched club football competition in the world and in 2017, it signed a three-year deal with BT Sport worth $2.5 billion. The deal ensures that BT Sport will broadcast the competition`s games until 2021.
8. Formula One (F1) – $4.1 billion
F1 is the most-watched motorsport in the world and in 2016, it signed a five-year deal with Sky Sports and Channel 4 worth $4.1 billion. The deal ensures that these networks will broadcast the sport`s races until 2021.
9. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) – $8.8 billion
The NCAA is the governing body for college athletics in America and in 2016, it signed a 14-year deal with CBS and Turner worth $8.8 billion. The deal ensures that these networks will broadcast the NCAA`s games until 2032.
10. National Rugby League (NRL) – $1.8 billion
The NRL is the most-watched rugby league in Australia and in 2015, it signed a five-year deal with Nine Network, Fox Sports, and Telstra worth $1.8 billion. The deal ensures that these networks will broadcast the league`s games until 2022.
In conclusion, these top 10 biggest sports leagues broadcasting contracts in history highlight the value of sports as a commercial entity. These broadcasting deals guarantee massive revenues for sports leagues over an extended period of time. Fans of these sports can enjoy their favorite games on television, and sports organizations can continue to thrive in the competitive and lucrative world of sports.