In a game-changing deal, Fox Sports has signed a 12-year agreement for the U.S. Open championship beginning in 2015.
The U.S. Open had been televised by NBC Sports on the weekend since 1995, and ESPN over the first two rounds.
Fox’s agreement, which runs through 2026, comes days before Fox’s Aug. 17 of mega-sports network Fox Sports 1, which will compete against the likes of ESPN.
“It’s with tremendous excitement and pride that we’ve added events with the prestige and magnitude of the USGA’s U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open to the big events FOX Sports is set to cover for years to come,” said FOX Sports Co-President and COO, Randy Freer.
“This is an exciting and remarkable day for the USGA, as our partnership with Fox Sports is a game-changer for our organization and for the game of golf,” said USGA President Glen D. Nager in a statement.
The U.S. Open rights were the only prominent golf rights available long-term. CBS, ESPN, NBC and the Golf Channel have most of the rest of the PGA season booked through 2019.
Final round coverage of the 2013 U.S. Open drew a 5.4 final rating and 8.4 million viewers on NBC, down 10% from the previous year.
