US national network CBS Sports and English soccer’s EFL, the organizer of the second, third, and fourth tiers of the country’s soccer league pyramid, have announced an exclusive, four-year, multi-platform rights agreement that will allow CBS Sports to offer the widest distribution of EFL matches ever in the US.
CBS Sports will broadcast a minimum of 250 EFL matches per season across the Championship, League One, League Two, Carabao Cup, and Bristol Street Motors Trophy, starting from August this year and continuing through the end of the 2027-28 season.
The previous EFL media rights-holder in the US was sports heavyweight ESPN,
All matches will air on the Paramount+ streaming service, while select matches will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
CBS Sports’ live EFL coverage will feature a minimum of 155 Championship matches, a minimum of 38 League One and League Two games, all 15 Play-Off matches, a minimum of 30 Carabao Cup fixtures, and three from the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.
CBS Sports will also have the option to select additional matches for broadcast, as long as it does so no later than two weeks before the match, with EFL Clubs then able to stream any remaining fixtures for international fans.
The partnership will debut with both Blackburn Rovers vs. Derby County and Preston North End vs. Sheffield United on August 9, 2024. The Blackburn match will air on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network while the Preston game will air on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
In addition to broadcasting live matches, the CBS Sports Golazo Network will provide EFL analysis and commentary throughout its live studio programming, including Morning Footy, CBS Sports Golazo Matchday, and Scoreline.
CBS Sports will also provide additional editorial coverage of EFL competitions on CBSSports.com, the Golazo Starting XI newsletter, and across its CBS Sports Golazo social accounts.
There are more than a dozen American players in the EFL, including Haji Wright (Coventry City), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), and Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City).
Additionally, Wrexham, Burnley, Leeds United, Birmingham City, and Swansea City are among 26 EFL clubs with notable American investment.
The EFL was represented in talks by sports media firm Relevent Sports as part of a four-year media, content, and marketing agreement across the Americas.
Dan Weinberg, executive vice president of programming at CBS Sports, said: “The exciting action and prestige of the EFL, as the oldest league in the world, adds tremendous value to CBS Sports’ premium soccer portfolio.
“With the EFL’s compelling storylines and growing popularity coupled with our first-class coverage, we look forward to further elevating this league in the US. CBS Sports continues to be the premier destination for European football fans in this country with Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network as must-haves with their wide array of soccer properties and robust year-round match coverage.”
Trevor Birch, chief executive officer at the EFL, added: “Appetite for football in the North American markets has been growing year on year, and this partnership with CBS Sports and their leadership in covering the sport marks a significant milestone.
“We believe that American fans will embrace the excitement, tradition, and competitiveness that is embodied by our EFL competitions."
CBS Sports’ soccer portfolio also includes Europe's UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League, and UEFA Youth League; NWSL; the United Soccer League; Concacaf national team competitions; Argentina’s Liga Profesional de Fútbol; the Scottish Professional Football League, and the AFC Champions League.
