The CBS Sports division of US network CBS has signed a multi-year rights deal with Major League Rugby (MLR), a new rugby union competition in the US.
CBS Sports will show coverage of the league’s inaugural season, which gets underway in April.
CBS Sports will show a 13-game package with 10 weeks of regular-season coverage. Its coverage will include a game of the week and two weeks of post-season action in 2018.
MLR said the deal marks the first national television partnership in the history of American professional rugby.
League commissioner Dean Howes said: “There is no question that rugby is growing fast in the US market. A successful professional league is a critical component of that growth. Television partnerships are incredibly important to any professional league, and we are excited to chart a path to success together with CBS Sports Network.”
MLR will feature seven teams in Austin, Houston, Glendale, New Orleans, San Diego, Seattle and Salt Lake City.