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$17,200,000,000 Firm Inks Deal to Bring Cristiano Ronaldo to American TV 7 Months After His Record Signing With Al Nassr

Published 08/10/2023, 4:00 AM EDT

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The United States is currently able to watch soccer’s greatest player, Lionel Messi, thanks to the courtesy of Inter Miami. But imagine if the American fans got the chance to watch another great, specifically Cristiano Ronaldo. Well, it seems that might be possible after all.

For now, watching Messi is the major option for American fans, which may be a bit upsetting for CR7 fans. But the sadness shouldn’t last longer, as Ronaldo fans in the U.S. will finally be able to see the Portuguese after a massive deal from a billionaire firm.

Billionaire firm set to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to American TV

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Get ready, American fans, as you will be able to watch not one but two GOAT’s of soccer. Aside from catching Messi, the U.S. audience will be able to catch Ronaldo in action. This comes from the headquarters of FOX Sports, who have signed a deal to bring the Saudi Pro League to the U.S. market.

The $17.2 billion worth company has acquired the US media rights to the Saudi Pro League. As per the agreement, it will begin the 2023–24 season opener on Friday, August 11. While details of the coverage plans are currently undisclosed, the season will run until May 2024. It is to be noted that the rights deal encompasses broadcasting in both English and Spanish.

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The deal occurred after IMG was on the hunt to sell the rights on a two-year deal to several broadcasters in the United States. Eventually, the deal caught the eye of FOX Sports and FOX Deportes, which showed particular interest and later secured the deal. IMG is responsible for the global broadcast feed, originating from London, England, as well as providing on-site coverage.

World Soccer Talk revealed that famous commentator Callum Williams is expected to be announced by IMG as the English-language commentator for the games. Indeed, it’s a massive opportunity for both FOX and the Saudi Pro League as they expand their horizons together.

Saudi Pro League continues to expand globally

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In recent weeks alone, the Saudi Arabian league has achieved significant milestones by securing agreements with foreign broadcasters. For instance, just seven months after Ronaldo signed a record deal with Al Nassr, DAZN obtained broadcasting rights for the league in the UK, Germany, and Austria. Additionally, Canal+ has acquired the rights for France and Africa.

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The entire summer has seen the Saudi Pro League dominate the soccer headlines. This comes with their natural growth in popularity among the soccer fraternity. The signing of big names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and other renowned European stars may give the Middle Eastern League a major boost. However, they are looking to capture the attention of a global audience even more.

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Written by:

Abhishek Mishra

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Abhishek Mishra is a soccer writer at EssentiallySports. Abhishek's love for soccer began during his childhood days when he spent most of his time playing and watching the sport. His early exposure to soccer earned him many accolades at district and zonal levels, making him a true sports enthusiast.
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Edited by:

Akash Pandhare