SI.com's Grant Wahl reported the NWSL broadcast video rights in the U.S. "will be going to CBS Sports." More than a dozen NWSL games are "expected to be shown on a CBS linear platform this year, including on CBS's main over-the-air channel." Wahl: "CBS's newfound soccer interest is fascinating. The network hadn't owned soccer rights for more than four decades until last November, when it came out of nowhere to land a three-year deal" starting in '21-22 for the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and new Europa Conference League (SI.com. 2/5).
LOONS' LOSS: In St. Paul, Andy Greder cites sources as saying that Minnesota United sideline analyst Jamie Watson is joining expansion club Nashville SC as its "color commentator." Greder notes one option to replace Watson would be to use FS North's "stable of sideline reporters." But that route would "forgo an attempt to replace Watson's insights as a former player," which were provided in pregame and postgame shows, during games, and through his "strong relationship" with manager Adrian Heath (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 2/6).
DALLAS DUO: FC Dallas is partnering with local TV station KTXA-Ind. for the '20 season. Mark Followill will "serve as the play-by-play announcer with Steve Davis joining him in the booth" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/5).
