Brazilian pay-television broadcaster Globosat has agreed a four-year rights deal with North America’s Major League Soccer.
The agreement will run from 2015 to 2018.
Under the agreement, MLS said Globosat will broadcast at least two regular-season matches per week, as well as the All-Star Game, at least one ‘Decision Day’ match, half of the MLS Cup playoff games and MLS Cup, in alternating years on the SporTV 1, SporTV 2 and SporTV 3 channels.
In addition, Globosat will show games, features and other content across its digital platforms. The partnership will run in conjunction with the current agreement with fellow pay-television broadcaster ESPN Brasil, a rights holder incorporated into the league’s domestic contract with ESPN.
Gary Stevenson, president and managing director of MLS Business Ventures, said: “With Flavio Augusto da Silva's ownership of Orlando City SC and with over 15 Brazilian players in MLS, including Kaká, there is clearly an increased desire for MLS content in Brazil.”
MLS will retain the rights to one game per week for free-to-air television. The Globosat deal was brokered by the league’s new global media rights agent, IMG.