Univision Deportes has reached a 10-year agreement with CONCACAF to broadcast confederation matches in the U.S. The contract was executed last week and was expected to be announced Monday. Running through '22, the deal is the longest broadcast agreement in CONCACAF’s history. It secures long-term rights for Univision to events it has held individually and on shorter terms in the past. Those rights include the exclusive Spanish and Portuguese broadcast rights to CONCACAF’s Gold Cup and Champions League and several other tournaments. Matches will air on several of Univision Deportes’ platforms, including Univision, TeleFutura and Univision Deportes Network, as well as online and via mobile. Financial terms of the deal were unavailable. “This substantial deal demonstrates the growing interest in the game among American fans and will ensure millions more can enjoy their favorite matches throughout the United States,” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb in a statement. The final match between the U.S. and Mexico at last year’s Gold Cup, a 12-nation tournament held every two years, was the highest-rated sports broadcast in Univision’s history, with more than 10.8 million viewers. Between '09-11, Spanish-language viewership for the Gold Cup increased 36%. “With this groundbreaking deal,” said Juan Carlos Rodriguez, president of Univision Deportes, “we are delivering the richest soccer rights portfolio in Hispanic sports media.” Univision holds the U.S. Spanish-language broadcast rights to the 2014 FIFA World Cup; the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup; the national teams of Mexico, the U.S., France and Germany; France’s Ligue 1; and MLS, among other teams and tournaments.
