The Premier League opted to plant roots and has awarded NBC Sports Group with a six-year extension that keeps the company as the exclusive home of its matches in the US. Besting offers from challengers FOX Sports and beIN Sports, the partnership runs through 2021-22 and will continue to offer all 380 matches across NBC, NBCSN, USA Network, Telemundo and NBC Universo as well as via the Premier League Extra Time TV package and NBC Sports Live Extra. NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus noted that execs had worked through the weekend to cement the deal, after submitting bids for both 3-year and 6-year packages.

“NBC Sports has done a fantastic job broadcasting the Barclays Premier League for the last two seasons and we are extremely pleased that they have invested in our U.S. rights for seasons 2016-17 to 2021-22,” said Premier League Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore. “Outstanding production, expert analysis, and wide audience reach have all been beyond expectations. First-rate creative marketing and promotional campaigns have driven interest in our clubs, and the competition as a whole, to unprecedented levels. NBC Sports has committed to extend partnership activation and promotion of clubs in future seasons – a significant factor in the awarding of these rights – and we look forward to continuing our excellent working relationship with them for the next seven years.”

“I think that investment, another thing that we did making that commitment to go over there, I think opened a lot of eyes for them,” said Lazarus in a conference call with reporters. “And certainly, having this now for seven more seasons, gives us the ability to continue to invest. In a three year cycle, the minute you sign, you sort of feel like you’re running for office again. We are in office for a little while now, so we can continue to invest.”