August 31 – IMG has picked up international TV sales distribution rights to a package of CONCACAF championships in 2015, including the Gold Cup and the Champions’ League. The deal will see IMG sell the rights in all territories outside of the CONCACAF region.
Understood to be a one-year only deal, IMG is already selling the CONCACAF Women’s Championship USA 2014 which kicks-off in October and will qualify the region’s teams for the World Cup in Canada next year; as well as the UNCAF Central American Cup Tigo 2014, which starts this week and is being played in the US for the first time on four triple-header match days.
Costa Rica and Nicaragua open the Championship on Wednesday, September 3 at the RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. The final will be played at the Los Angeles Coliseum September 13.
The rights package IMG is selling also includes CONCACAF Under-20 and Under-17 Championships for both men and women disciplines.
Enrique Sanz, CONCACAF general secretary, said: “It’s great to note the growing interest in viewing our matches on screens not just within the CONCACAF region, but also globally. The new markets set to be reached with this deal are yet another testament to the quality and potential of football in our region.”
CONCACAF federations had a good World Cup in Brazil with Mexico, USA and Costa Rica all qualifying to the last 16 – Costa Rica being the surprise package of the tournament.
Michael Mellor, senior vice president, head of football, IMG Media, said: “The success of the U.S., Costa Rica and Mexico at the World Cup is testament to the high standard of football in the region and will ensure increased interest in CONCACAF events around the world going forward.
“Our global network and expertise will help grow both revenue and awareness of the tournaments as the appetite for competitive international and top club football events continues to grow.”
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