The NBC Sports Ventures division of US sports broadcasting organisation NBC Sports Group has agreed a multi-year strategic alliance that will provide broadcast exposure for obstacle racing series the Spartan Race.
NBC Sports Ventures is charged with acquiring and developing new and existing sports properties for NBC Sports, and has forged the new partnership with sportswear and equipment company Reebok, title sponsor of the Spartan Race.
The deal provides NBC Sports Ventures with the exclusive broadcast, cable and digital rights to the Spartan Race series. NBC Sports Group’s coverage will this year culminate with the Spartan Race World Championship on November 16 on the NBC network.
Leading up to the World Championship, pay-television broadcaster NBCSN will broadcast five additional Spartan Races, beginning July 22 with a race from Tuxedo, New York. All races shown on NBC and NBCSN will be streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices and tablets. Repeat broadcasts of Spartan Races will also be available on NBCSN, NBC Sports regional networks, and sports broadcaster Universal Sports Network.
In addition to its linear and digital presentation of the racing series, NBC Sports Ventures will provide Spartan Race with marketing and promotional support, and lead its national sponsorship and international television sales efforts.
Spartan Race chief executive Joe DeSena said: “By amplifying the level of visibility for the sport of obstacle racing, we're taking a huge step towards our mission to pull people off the couch and get them living fit. We have big dreams for this sport, and exciting times are ahead. Our alliance with NBC Sports moves us firmly towards our goals.”