The soccer deals keep rolling into SUM’s net.
Soccer United Marketing, Philip Anschutz’s commercial soccer company, entered into a four-year renewal pact with Fox Sports en Español, as well as Fox Sports Latin America, for the InterLiga Tournament.
The InterLiga Tournament -- pitting the top eight teams from the Mexican League’s 2005 (fall-winter campaign) and Clausura 2006 (spring-summer season) -- has aired exclusively on the aforementioned networks since 2004. The top two teams will qualify for automatic berths into the 47th edition of Copa Toyota Libertadores.
Starting next January, Fox Sports en Español will product and telecast 14 matches each season, with additional content rights extending to the network’s Web site (www.fse.tv), as well as wireless and video-on-demand. The parties will also exchange promotional consideration and will work together on sponsorship sales for the SUM programming.
The 2006 edition of InterLigakicked up strong ratings, with the finale generating a 3.4 national Hispanic rating among men 18-49, according to Nielsen Media Research data. The 14-match tourney averaged a 2.0 Nielsen Hispanic Television Index mark against that demo. Network officials said the tournament delivered a 300% rise against that group and a 200% gain among adults 18-49.
SUM recently scored rights deals for Major League Soccer, the United Soccer Federation and FC Barcelona’s three-market tour of the States.
