The USGA broadcast rights for the U.S. Opens are set to expire after next year with FOX Sports. The network and the USGA came to an agreement back in 2013. However, the rights were transferred to NBC Sports in 2020, while FOX is still footing the $93 million dollar a year rights fee, according to a report in the Sports Business Journal.
One potential suitor for the USGA could be ESPN. In fact, SBJ reports that talks have taken place between the network and the USGA about securing the rights. Notably, ESPN and ABC have twice previously held the rights, with the Worldwide Leader airing the annual golf majors from 1982–2014.
“The level of interest, including our current partners which are phenomenal, has been great,” USGA CEO Mike Whan said ahead of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. “We’re not to the point yet where we’re close. We’re months away, not weeks away, from figuring out what the future is, but I would say that the breadth of interest is really a great statement for the game, not just USGA championships.”
Currently, with the existing deal ending at the conclusion of 2026, the exclusive negotiating window with NBC Sports has since passed. As a result, the USGA is expected to test the open market for the broadcasting rights to its tournaments. According to SBJ, USGA Managing Director of Global Media and Ticketing Amanda Weiner, CCO Jon Podany, and Whan are leading the effort.
At the same time, ESPN currently partners with CBS for both The Masters and the PGA Championship, with ESPN carrying the early rounds of both tournaments.
“We’re going to look for somebody that can deliver at the levels or better than we’re delivering now,” said Whan.
In previous deals, the USGA has included the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Amateur, and other USGA Championships as part of its media rights package. Even so, it is currently unclear whether that structure will remain in place with the new agreement post-2026.
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