COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 6: An official MLS ball sits on the pitch during a game between the Columbus Crew and the Philadelphia Union on April 6, 2013 at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Local NetworksSoccerBy Ken Fang on

Fox Sports South and its sister network Fox Sports Southeast have signed a rights deal with the new expansion MLS club, Atlanta United. And it comes just in time for the 2017 regular season which begins in just a few weeks.

The latest

The deal means that all of Atlanta United’s games not aired nationally either on ESPN, Fox or FS1 will be televised locally on either Fox Sports South or Fox Sports Southeast. It gives the networks some much needed spring and summer content. Overall, the networks will have rights to 19 games

Altanta United’s first game on Fox Sports South/Southwest will be on Saturday, April 8 at 7 p.m. ET. FS1 will televise the club’s inaugural match against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, March 5.

In addition to the games, Fox Sports South and Fox Sports Southeast will produce pre- and postgame shows, shoulder programming such as a weekly series (Atlanta United: Match Week) and this Friday, Fox Sports Southeast will air a special “Atlanta United: Unite and Conquer” on how the team came to fruition.

This commitment to MLS not only provides the regional sports networks some content, but also gives Atlanta United much needed exposure in its inaugural campaign.

Fox says the networks reach approximately 10 million homes across in six states including Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North and South Carolina and Tennessee. And a Spanish feed will be available as well.

[Sports Video Group]

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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