Multi-year, Multi-property Deal Secures Major Exposure and Promotion for Pan-Regional Events

MIAMI, FL (Thursday, January 10, 2013) – The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and Sportsnet announced today that they have reached a multi-year agreement for broadcast rights in Canada to seven of the confederation’s properties, including the 2013 and 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cups.

The new agreement, which begins now and runs through the 2016 season, features a comprehensive suite of multimedia rights for television, online and mobile, and includes the following events: CONCACAF Gold Cup, CONCACAF Champions League, the Men’s and Women’s Qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games, the Men’s and Women’s Under-20 and Under-17 Championships, the CONCACAF Futsal Championship in 2016, and the 2014 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers for the 2015 FIFA World Cup.

“We are looking forward to developing this long term relationship with such a reputable name in Canadian broadcasting such as Sportsnet,” said CONCACAF President, Jeffrey Webb. “As a direct result of the increasing quality of our game and the high standards of competitions, the exposure and penetration of our confederation’s tournaments continue to expand with solid steps.”

The extensive agreement includes broadcast rights for the 2013 and 2015 editions of the Gold Cup, the 2012/13, 13/14, 14/15 and 15/16 editions of the Champions League, the Men’s and Women’s Qualifiers for the 2016 Olympics, the 2013 and 2015 Men’s Under-20 and Under-17 Championships, the 2014 and 2016 Women’s Under-20 and Under-17 Championships, the CONCACAF Futsal Championship in 2016 and the 2014 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers to the 2015 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Canada.

“Sportsnet is committed to providing fans with access to premium soccer content, and providing viewers with exceptional broadcast coverage,” said Navaid Mansuri, Vice-President of Finance & Sports Programming, Rogers Media. “The addition of these CONCACAF events to our already robust soccer portfolio ensures more than ever that Canadians will be able to see all of the action of the beautiful game, from everywhere around the world.”

Under terms of the agreement, Sportsnet acquires the exclusive right to broadcast these CONCACAF properties in the English and French language, for the territory of Canada on all media platforms.

Taking place every two years, the Gold Cup has become the region’s most popular soccer event, routinely drawing capacity crowds and millions of viewers across the region. Featuring the best players from the CONCACAF’s three regions, the tournament has grown into a 12-nation championship.

The Champions League, which runs from July through April every year, is the confederation’s international championship for clubs. The winner of the Champions League qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup.

About CONCACAF
CONCACAF “The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football” is one of six continental confederations of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) and serves as the governing body of football in this part of the world. It is composed of 40 national associations, from Canada in the north to Guyana, Surinam and French Guyana in the south

About Sportsnet 
Sportsnet connects Canadian sports fans to their favourite teams and athletes, using five platforms: TV, Radio, Print, Online and Mobile. Sportsnet is Fuelled By Fans, and delivers storytelling on a local, regional, national and global level.  The multiplatform brand consists of Sportsnet, sportsnet.ca, Sportsnet 590 The FAN, Sportsnet 960 The FAN, Sportsnet magazine, Sportsnet Mobile and the Hockey Central app on iPad and Playbook.  Sportsnet is the Canadian leader in NHL and MLB television broadcasts and is home to 162 Toronto Blue Jays games, plus MLB Playoffs and the World Series. Sportsnet is an official broadcaster of the London 2012 Olympic Games, and also offers an exciting sports lineup including the NFL, the Rogers Cup tennis tournament, the Memorial Cup, and soccer programming with UEFA Champions League, Barclays Premier League, MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and Canadian national team matches for men and women.  Sportsnet Connected is the network’s nightly news program, providing regional and national coverage of the day’s events in the world of sports.