Fox Snares U.S. Open Golf for 12 Years Starting in 2015

I’m still shocked by this. But the United States Golf Association is known for pulling moves like this. Back in 1993, the USGA decided to move its golf events from long-time broadcast partner ABC to NBC. ESPN kept the cable contract as there really wasn’t any competition on cable. But at the time, ABC was hoping to continue airing the U.S. Open and be on hand for the 100th tournament to be played at Pebble Beach in 2000, but instead, NBC swooped up the contract. At the time, NBC just aired a handful of golf tournaments and had not aired one of the majors. But that changed in 1995 when NBC picked up the U.S. Open.

Now twenty years later, the USGA pulls another shocking move in signing Fox Sports, a network that if my memory serves me right, has aired one or two exhibition tournaments. Pat Summerall called one and Jack Whitaker did the other. And former Fox Sports PR maven Vince Wladika informs me that Fox once had a deal to broadcast a rival golf tour to the PGA spearheaded by Greg Norman, but that was nixed when the PGA threatened to pull rank on anyone taking part. So that never got off the ground.

Fox will begin airing the U.S. Open in 2015 and this includes not just the broadcast rights, but cable rights meaning that Fox Sports 1 will be part of the broadcasts as well. Not only does NBC lose a signature event, but so does ESPN. Those who cannot stand Chris Berman on golf won’t have him to kick around after 2014. ESPN’s involvement in the U.S. Open dates back to 1982.

Fox will have rights to the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, the U.S. Senior Open as well as the USGA Amateur events from 2015 until 2026. Here’s the Fox press release.

USGA AND FOX SPORTS TEE-UP LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP

12-Year Multi-Media Agreement Brings Major Championship Golf to FOX Sports Platforms for First Time Ever, Beginning in 2015
Expands Coverage for U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open & U.S. Senior Open Championships
Elevates USGA’s Amateur Championships with Significant Coverage

Far Hills, N.J., and New York (August 7, 2013) – The United States Golf Association (USGA), the governing body of the game of golf in the United States, and FOX Sports, the No.1 network for sports television since 1997, today announced a comprehensive multi-media agreement that makes the FOX network and FOX Sports 1 the principal domestic media partner of the USGA and the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open Championships, as well as the USGA’s national amateur championships and other live content, beginning in 2015. The landmark, 12-year agreement, which runs through 2026, brings premier major championship golf for the first time ever to the FOX broadcast network, home to the country’s greatest sports events, including the Super Bowl, World Series, Daytona 500 and World Cup.

The agreement was announced today by USGA President Glen D. Nager and USGA Executive Director Mike Davis and FSMG Co-Presidents and COOs Randy Freer and Eric Shanks.

“This is an exciting and remarkable day for the USGA, as our partnership with FOX Sports is a game-changer for our organization and for the game of golf,” said USGA President Glen D. Nager. “The game is evolving and requires bold and unique approaches on many levels, and FOX shares our vision to seek fresh thinking and innovative ideas to deliver championship golf. This partnership will help us to better lead and serve the game in new and exciting ways.”

Under terms of the newly executed agreement, the USGA and FOX Sports will deliver a total of 146 hours of championship golf, including a minimum of 70 cumulative hours of live event coverage of the three Opens, making the game compelling, dramatic and fun for an expanded audience. In addition to the rights to the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open Championships, FOX Sports will also be home to the USGA’s national amateur championships and international team competitions, delivering a minimum of 76 hours of live broadcast coverage across its sports platforms, including FOX Sports 1, America’s new sports network, launching August 17.

“It’s with tremendous excitement and pride that we’ve added events with the prestige and magnitude of the USGA’s U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open to the big events FOX Sports is set to cover for years to come,” said FOX Sports Co-President and COO, Randy Freer.

“We’re looking forward to FOX Sports becoming home to the preeminent golf championship in the world,” added fellow FOX Sports Co-President and COO Eric Shanks. “We’re committed to elevating coverage of USGA events on every level, infusing them with a new energy and innovation that will make every championship the best golf event on television.”

This new partnership with FOX Sports also includes strategic elements to help the USGA strengthen its support of the game, including:

Integrating FOX Sport’s wide array of multi-platform assets, including its soon to launch mobile app FOX Sports GO, and innovative production capabilities to establish the U.S. Open Championship as the world’s best golf telecast;

Elevating the visibility of the USGA’s amateur championships and delivering unique storytelling to celebrate the amateur game;

Transforming U.S. Open Week into a powerful showcase and entertaining celebration of the game of golf;

Developing unique initiatives to enhance the USGA Member experience and help grow the Association’s membership community; and

Providing significant promotional support to showcase and advance the USGA’s core services to the game, including the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status, Equipment Standards, Handicapping, the USGA Green Section and the USGA Museum.

“We are thrilled with the commitment that FOX Sports has made to the USGA, our national championships, the strategic growth of our organization and to the game,” said USGA Executive Director Mike Davis. “This partnership represents a promising new future for both organizations that will be marked by broadcast innovation, new approaches and fresh thinking. We could not be more energized by what we will be able to accomplish together to make golf better, both now and for future generations of players and fans who love the game.”

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.