From this writer's perspective, these last few months have been some of the most remarkable in Major League Soccer history. Ever couple of weeks, this writer checks his email inbox to see yet another press release from the league informing the world that they have agreed yet another important corporate partnership. On Thursday, another such announcement came, this time informing us all that MLS has agreed a deal with Chinese television station Letv Sports to broadcast the league throughout China.
Letv Sports is China's leading digital sports broadcaster, and the deal reached with the Beijing-based company is very similar to the one agreed with Globosat in Brazil and Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. At least two matches will be broadcast every week in addition to the MLS All Star Game, two matches from Decision Day and every match of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
“We are excited to add Letv, an innovative leader in digital video, to our growing list of global media partners,” Gary Stevenson, President and Managing Director, MLS Business Ventures, said in a statement. “China is a priority market for our international strategy and Letv’s commitment to bring MLS games to viewers is a significant step in increasing the relevance and popularity of the league worldwide.”
It is clear that the deal will be beneficial to both MLS and to Letv, and their hierarchy has also spoken of how pleased they are with the deal. “We are honored to become a partner of MLS," said Lei Zhenjian, the CEO of Letv Sports. "Letv Sports have been trying hard to bring as many of the world’s top sports competitions as possible to Chinese fans."
The deal is the first to give MLS any real imprint in Asia, and means that the league is now broadcast somewhere on all continents but Australia. MLS is broadcast around the world by Globosat (Brazil), Sky Sports (UK), Abu Dhabi Media (Middle East and North Africa), Eurosport (various European nations) and now Letv Sports (China).
This is yet another step towards MLS Commissioner Don Garber's stated goal of being one of the top leagues in the world come 2020, and is yet another reason for MLS fans to rejoice.