The USA Track and Field (USATF) national governing body has entered into a long-term rights partnership with the NBC Sports Group division of US media company NBCUniversal.
The eight-year deal grants NBC Sports exclusive media rights to USATF’s live elite-level events through to 2024. It marks the longest and most comprehensive agreement ever struck between the two parties.
NBC Sports will present at least 18 hours of live USATF event coverage each year, with eight hours per year to be presented on the NBC broadcast network.
All linear content will also be streamed via NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. The two platforms will also deliver digital-only USATF content.
NBC Sports’ commitment to USATF properties is in addition to its coverage of the 2020 and 2024 Olympic trials and Olympic Games. NBC Sports will also televise USATF’s annual Black Tie & Sneakers Gala awards ceremony.
The Associated Press news agency, citing a person familiar with the negotiations, reported that USATF’s costs have reached almost $2m (€1.9m) per year, and the agreement with NBC Sports is set to ease the financial pressure on the body.