2014By Ken Fang on

This being reported by Philly.com’s Jonathan Tannenwald, Major League Soccer has finalized its deals with ESPN, Fox and Univision. Earlier this week, we told you that MLS was close to a deal that could be announced as soon as Monday.

Tannenwald reports that it’s now come to fruition and will be a significant increase from the current rights fee of $27 million per year from ESPN, NBC and Univision.

One of the main sticking points was the streaming rights and which network would be allowed to show games online. Currently, MLS has the digital rights and streams games through its Over The Top “MLS Live” service. Tannenwald writes that it’s unknown at this time if “MLS Live” will survive after this season.

NBC’s signed a three-year deal in 2012 and ESPN is currently under an eight-year contract. Both deals expire this season.

We’ll find out more when the new MLS deal is officially announced by all parties on Monday.

[Philly.com]

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

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