NBC Sports Group today announced that it is "extending its Breeders’ Cup contract for 10 years, ensuring that the races will stay on NBC and NBCSN" through '25, according to Richard Sandomir of the N.Y. TIMES. NBC "is not paying the Breeders’ Cup for the rights; instead, each side will keep money from the commercials and sponsorships it sells." The current "four-year deal between NBC and the Breeders' Cup" ends in '15. This year, NBC and NBCSN "added a series of qualifying races called the Breeders' Cup Challenge, which has let the company promote the culminating Breeders' Cup," set to begin tomorrow (N.Y. TIMES, 10/30). DAILY RACING FORM's Matt Hegarty reports NBC and NBCSN are required to provide "eight hours of live coverage of the Breeders’ Cup each year." The deal includes "prime-time coverage of the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2016 and 2017, when the host tracks are Santa Anita and Del Mar." The 10-year extension is the "longest broadcast agreement the Breeders’ Cup has reached with a broadcaster" (DRF.com, 10/30).
CHANGING LANES: In Chicago, Ed Sherman reported NBC's Eddie Olczyk "will be part of the network's crew working the Breeder's Cup Friday and Saturday at Santa Anita in California." It is "a dream assignment for Olczyk, a passionate horse player." Olczyk: "I'm really excited. I'd be doing it (analyzing the races) at my house or at Hawthorne. This is the Super Bowl of horse racing. To be there for NBC really is going to be special." While working the Stanley Cup Playoffs for NBC, the net "had him do quick cameos, giving his breakdown of the Triple Crown races," which NBC televises, and he "clearly knew what he was talking about." Olczyk "lobbied" NBC Sports Exec Producer Sam Flood for "a more active role." Flood said he likes "the unique perspective" Olczyk brings to horse racing (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 10/29).
