USGA changes channels for U.S. Open
Transferred: By the USGA, the TV broadcast rights for its championships to NBC Universal from Fox, the association announced Monday in a news release. Doug Ferguson, the golf writer for The Associated Press, broke the news late Sunday night. NBC televised the U.S. Open from 1995 through 2014, but Fox signed a 12-year deal with the USGA that began in 2015 and reportedly was worth $1.2 billion. The USGA did not disclose financial terms of the NBC deal but said it runs through 2026, with the same amount of money being paid to the association. This year’s U.S. Open was moved from its customary slot in mid-June because of the coronavirus pandemic and rescheduled for Sept. 17-20 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y. The tournament would have conflicted with the NFL season, which Fox broadcasts. Fox also televises college football and Major League Baseball. NBC and its subsidiary Golf Channel will broadcast the USGA’s four remaining championships on its schedule. In addition to the U.S. Open, NBC will carry the U.S. Women’s Amateur on Aug. 3-9 at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md.; the U.S. Amateur on Aug. 10-16 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore.; and the U.S. Women’s Open on Dec. 10-13 at Champions Golf Club in Houston.
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