Despite continuing to pull disappointing ratings on almost all its national broadcasts, MLS is reportedly seeking a nearly seven-fold increase over their old Fox Soccer Channel agreement. The league wants $20 million a year, according to Sports Business Journal, after receiving $3 million annually from FSC for the rights to broadcast weekly Saturday night games and two non-qualifying United States Men’s National Team games. FSC has already supposedly offered $7 million a year.
MLS Reportedly Wants $20 Million A Year From Fox Soccer Channel For Broadcast Rights
The thinking on the part of MLS appears to be this: Since the last deal was signed in 2007, the league has grown considerably. By 2012, the league will have added six teams and built or significantly refurbished as many as eight stadiums. Those new teams include the Seattle Sounders Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps and Philadelphia Union, who have or are expected to have some of the most robust season-ticket bases in the league.
At the same time, the league’s expenses are rising. In addition to covering some of the costs for stadiums, the league will also have at least five more Designated Players than it did during the 2007 season. That is money teams are spending above and beyond the salary cap.
Assuming this TV money would be distributed in a manner similar to past agreements - with each team and the league receiving equal shares - teams would stand to see a nearly $1 million increase in their shares. Last year, teams received about $51,000 each from the FSC contract. In 2012, teams would receive about $1 million.
Such a huge increase would undoubtedly also play into future negotiations with MLS’s primary national broadcasters, ESPN and Univision. ESPN, who has the primary TV package, has a $8.5 million annual contract that runs through 2014. ESPN’s contract includes most of the U.S. national team’s matches, as well as MLS matches.
Whether FSC would be willing to pay such a princely sum for some of the league’s worst rated games is, of course, an entirely different question. The league reportedly had preliminary talks with Versus in September, but apparently has not met with the NHL’s primary cable partner since then. It would seem the only way MLS has any chance of fetching its asking price is if Versus makes a serious offer, or is at least to be believed to be doing so.
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