TORONTO – The CBC has acquired the broadcast rights, including video streaming, to Toronto FC, Canada’s first Major League Soccer (MSL) club, it was announced Wednesday.
CBC Television will broadcast 14 regular season Toronto FC games, including the expansion franchise’s April 28 home opener against the Kansas City Wizards, while cbcsports.ca will video stream all of the CBC broadcasts live and on-demand.
Toronto FC and MLS highlights will be available on-demand over the Internet as well.
CBC Sports acquires the exclusive rights to the MLS Playoffs, MLS Cup and July 19 MLS All-Star Game in 2007 under the deal, along with the option to broadcast additional games in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
The soccer games will air live on the public broadcaster’s main network, with repeats on its specialty TV channel CBC Country Canada. The CBC deal includes coverage of the potential Canadian debut of British soccer star David Beckham, when Toronto FC hosts the Los Angeles Galaxy on August 5.
“We are very excited to be able to add coverage of Toronto FC to our soccer lineup,” said Scott Moore, executive director of CBC Sports. “We were clear when we announced our agreement with FIFA last fall that CBC is committed to helping to grow the game in Canada. Coverage of the first Canadian team in Major League Soccer history is an important part of that.”
Rogers Sportsnet and The Score will also air some Toronto FC games in 2007.
Toronto FC is owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.
