The Rushmans consultancy and Pitch International agency have struck a deal to market the global rights to the National Baseball Series, the top domestic competition in Cuba.
Rushmans has been granted the rights by RTVC, the commercial enterprise of Cuban Radio and Television. The deal is for four seasons, covering the Olympic cycle as Cuba’s leading players compete for their clubs and for places on the national team at the 2020 summer Games in Tokyo.
The deal will commence with the second phase and playoffs of this season being distributed and commercialised by Rushmans and through their appointed agent, Pitch International. The rights cover around 60 matches between November 1 and January 24.
On a long-term basis, six games per week will be made available to broadcasters worldwide by Rushmans on behalf of RTVC with HD signal, Spanish and English commentaries and graphics.
Nigel Rushman, founder of Rushmans, said: “Cuba is perhaps historically the sport’s most important nation outside the USA. There is already tremendous interest in everything that is happening in Cuba. We are proud to have been appointed by RTVC and to play a role in sharing Cuban baseball with the world. This represents the only route to obtaining these rights.”
The new agreement comes after RTVC last month agreed a landmark rights partnership with Rushmans. RTVC contracted with Rushmans to distribute, market and co-produce Cuban sports content and events, both live and recorded, from the country to the world.