MLS agrees golden deal with MP & Silva

27 January 2009 | Posted in Broadcast, Soccer | By Adam Fraser

Length of contract: 1 year | Annualised value: US$10 million | Overall value: US$10m

Sports media group MP & Silva has struck an eight-figure deal with Soccer United Marketing (SUM), the marketing arm of Major League Soccer (MLS), for the international broadcast rights to the league.

The agreement, which gives MP & Silva the exclusive rights to all MLS games, tournaments and events, as well as the international competitions SuperLiga, InterLiga and Pan-Pacific Championship, will see the MLS shown worldwide.

Europe is a particular target, as the MLS runs throughout the summer months that form the close-season for most European leagues.

"We saw a potential in Major League Soccer and see a really good potential internationally because of the involvement of new players from outside, good players," said MP & Silva chief executive Carlo Pozzali.

"We will work together with MLS and SUM to bring top players to clubs to increase the quality of the league."

Doug Quinn, president of SUM, made clear that the aim of the deal was, "to expand our global distribution and penetrate strategic markets, while our increased television rights revenues will help to ensure long-term growth for MLS."

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