Paramount Global is expanding its soccer coverage once again, thanks to a new deal that brings United Soccer League (USL) matches to CBS, Paramount+, CBS Sports and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
The new multi-year agreement between CBS Sports and the United Soccer League runs through 2027 and includes the rights to 100 USL Championship and USL League One matches each season. The deal will also result in the USL Championship Final being shown on the CBS television network.
Along with the option of watching on CBS, matches will also be simulcast live on Paramount+. In addition, CBS Sports Network will also televise more than 20 USL matches each year.
For those without access to any of these channels, Paramount has confirmed that 75 USL matches each season will also be available to watch on CBS Sports Golazo Network, the 24/7 soccer streaming network available to watch for free on a number of platforms and devices. CBS Sports Golazo Network will also provide additional USL analysis and commentary throughout its live studio programming.
Paramount and CBS already hold the rights to a variety of professional soccer leagues including Barclay’s Women’s Super League, Concacaf national team competitions, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), and Italy’s Serie A, among many others. As a result, the addition of the United Soccer League adds to a growing catalog of live soccer match coverage and related content.
“The United Soccer League – with its expansive and growing presence across the country – is an excellent addition to CBS Sports’ premium soccer portfolio,” said Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. “We look forward to making the exciting action of the USL more easily available to fans than ever before and elevating the league with coverage across our CBS Sports platforms. With the USL’s addition to our wide array of soccer properties and robust year-round match coverage, CBS Sports continues to be the premier destination for soccer fans in this country.
While good for fans of the United Soccer League in general, it is also a major win for the League itself. While the MLS is the top league, the USL is considered to be the second tier of the US Soccer pyramid, and the expanded coverage should now help to also expand awareness around the league and the teams competing within it.
According to Paramount, this deal will mark the first time in league history that the USL competition will be featured on network television.
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