In a blow to NBC and ESPN, Fox Sports Media Group has acquired full rights to golf’s U.S. Open starting in 2015.
The United States Golf Association announced Wednesday that Fox Sports Media Group has acquired the rights to the U.S. Open, the U.S. Women’s Open, and the U.S. Senior Open for twelve years starting in 2015. NBC and ESPN previously held rights to the events.
Under the deal, the Fox Sports family of networks will televise 146 hours of USGA events, including 70 hours from the three primary tournaments.
The 2015 U.S. Open will mark the first time ever that a major golf tournament has aired on a Fox network.
The U.S. Open was the only golf major to air on NBC, which will likely be shut out of major golf from 2015 to at least 2018. ESPN will continue to air every round of the British Open through 2018.
(Wed. news from USGA.org)
