Back in October when reports started coming out that the USFL was in talks with reps from the city of Birmingham, AL we also learned about the possible broadcasting plans. We reported that in the USFL’s proposal to Birmingham, it stated that the USFL would split broadcasting between FOX, SOX Sports, NBC and USA.
Obviously this was huge news, considering FOX had a majority stake in the new USFL. The potential of a partnership with two big-name broadcasters brought a lot of new hype to the league.
Although it hasn’t been confirmed by the USFL that they will play out of Birmingham in 2022, all signs point to yes. Earlier this week new job listings for the league mentioned Birmingham as the central hub. It seems like we’re now just waiting for an official announcement from the USFL on their central hub.
But one thing that we can confirm, the USFL will air on NBC as well as FOX in 2022. According to Pro Football Talk, NBC is set to make an announcement today that have made an agreement to televise the USFL next year.
NBC will formally announce on Wednesday that an agreement has been reached to televise regular-season and postseason games presented by the USFL.
The 21 NBC games will be televised across NBC, USA Network, and Peacock.
The deal would see NBC airing 21 of the 43 games, with FOX carrying the rest. When NBC makes their announcement later this afternoon, we expect to hear more details on the network split. As expected though, the games will be shared between NBC and USA.
Another huge factor to this partnership is NBC’s Peacock TV streaming service. Since they’ve started their service the network has spent a lot of time ensuring that there is plenty of content. In the last year alone, we’ve seen them add the WWE Network, FCF and now the new USFL.
The last time NBC was involved in spring football, they were notoriously part owners of the 2001 XFL. But, it seems like they see that this new league can succeed where the others failed.
Since the league broke their silence in November, we’ve learned a lot in a short amount of time. First their announced their first set of hires, with Brian Woods coming in as President of Football Operations, Daryl Johnston as EVP Football Operations and Mike Pereira as Head of Officiating. Not too long after they revealed all eight team names and logos, along with the divisional split.
Another huge get for the USFL is rights-fees from NBC to televise the games. John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reports that USFL will not only receive rights fees, but the deal is for three years.
NBC joins Fox Sports as the league’s two official broadcast partners, with Fox carrying 22 games and NBC carrying 21. Sources said that NBC’s deal runs for three years and involves a rights fee.
UPDATE: The USFL social media accounts have now made the news official on their end sharing the following:
📺 It's official!
NBC will join FOX Sports as our official broadcast partners.
The networks will present all 43 regular and postseason games beginning in April 2022. pic.twitter.com/pU1B6Z6UXU
— USFL (@USFL) December 15, 2021
With this now being made official, the USFL is looking in great shape for their upcoming relaunch.
Did you expect the USFL to have such massive broadcast partners for its inaugural season? Do you plan on watching in 2022? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below or join the conversation on Discord.
