NBC Renews Wimbledon Contract
ESPN Also Extends Rights Deal for Tennis Tournament
By Jason Braff -- Multichannel News, 7/5/2007 9:14:00 AM
NBC Sports netted a familiar doubles partner, The Wimbledon Championships, which will guarantee at least a 40-year marriage.
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and NBC Sports announced that the two sides reached an extension to their current four-year contract that expires upon the conclusion of this year’s tourney.
NBC Sports is airing the Championships for the 39th consecutive year, the longest partnership in the network’s history. NBC Sports also retained digital media rights to the Championships, which includes Wimbledon LIVE online coverage.
“I'm extremely pleased that we'll be continuing our wonderful relationship with the All England Club, into its 40th anniversary and beyond,” chairman of NBC Univeral Sports Dick Ebersol said in a prepared statement.
According to sources at ESPN, the total sports network also reached an agreement in principle to extend its Wimbledon rights. Published reports have also indicated that The Tennis Channel may secure a piece of the prestigious grass court tournament, beginning with next year’s tourney.
