In a surprising announcement Wednesday evening, the U.S. Golf Association said it has signed a 12-year multimedia deal with Fox network and Fox Sports 1 to be the domestic broadcast partner for the U.S. Open and other USGA championships.
Fox Sports Gets Rights To Golf’s U.S. Open
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Fox Sports is in as the broadcast partner for the U.S. Open starting in 2015. Johnny Miller appears to be out.
In a surprising announcement Wednesday evening, the U.S. Golf Association said it has signed a 12-year multimedia deal with Fox network and Fox Sports 1 to be the domestic broadcast partner for the U.S. Open and other USGA championships.
NBC Sports had been televising the U.S. Open since 1995 at Shinnecock Hills, with Miller as its shoot-from-hip analyst who became as much of the show as the golf itself.
“It was a big bummer,” Miller told The Associated Press from his home in Utah. “For some reason, I told Dan Hicks at the U.S. Open this year, ‘I don’t think we’re going to keep the U.S. Open.’ I just had a hunch it would be ESPN or Fox that stepped in and made a high bid. I know we tried.
“I feel bad for the USGA in a way that money was more important than basically a good golf crew.”
The deal is for 12 years and runs through 2026. The first U.S. Open for Fox will be from Chambers Bay outside Seattle.
BRAND CONNECTIONS
Financial terms were not disclosed.
NBC’s last U.S. Open will be next year at Pinehurst No. 2 – the U.S. Women’s Open will be played on the same course the following week.
“This is an exciting and remarkable day for the USGA, as our partnership with the Fox Sports is a game-changer for our organization and for the game of golf,” USGA President Glen Nager said. “The game is evolving and requires bold and unique approaches on many levels, and FOX shares our vision to seek fresh thinking and innovative ideas to deliver championship golf. This partnership will help us to better lead and serve the game in new and exciting ways.”
Along with NBC Sports televising the final two rounds – and two-hour segments on Thursday and Friday – ESPN showed the two opening rounds. NBC is under the same umbrella as Comcast, which also owns Golf Channel.
Under the deal, Fox Sports will deliver 146 hours of USGA golf. That includes at least 70 hours of its three biggest events – the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open. The other hours will be spent on amateur competitions, such as the U.S. Amateur and the new U.S. National Fourball Championship.
“It was the highlight of my year of work for me,” Miller said. “The U.S. Open has always been the tournament. It’s a big bummer for me and Dan Hicks.”
Fox did not say what kind of broadcast team it would have for the USGA championships. Miller said it was unlikely he would go to Fox even if offered a chance. He said his contract with NBC runs through 2015.
NBC has three FedEx Cup playoff events, the Ryder Cup, the Florida swing and Houston Open leading up to the Masters, and The Players Championship.
“I don’t know what they’re going to do,” Miller said about Fox. “You can’t just fall out of a tree and do the U.S. Open. I guess the money was more important than the performance. No way they can step in and do the job we were doing. It’s impossible. There’s just no way. I wish Fox the very best.”
Comments (5)
Brad Dann says:
August 7, 2013 at 11:22 pm
Johnny, other than FOX not putting you on the air, what else will there coverage be missing. What a pudd
Jay Miller says:
August 8, 2013 at 11:11 am
I hope someone told the people at Fox Sports that If Fox brings their jive time in your face NFL coverage to golf they will be shot. Fox and Golf coverage may be like The Golf channel covering UCF matches. They better tone it down and don’t let David Hill near the broadcast booth. This may be the first time a professional sport summarily cancels their contract. I hope the PGA and the USGA have a strong Out Clause.
Scott Cote says:
August 8, 2013 at 4:11 pm
Having worked at FOX for a number of years, one can only say that FOX’s successes as a sport’s network can only be attributed to David Hill and a few highly dedicated individuals. Look at Football and NASCAR in particular, and no one does it any better, at least from the technology aspect. And I expect from the commentators standpoint, the same will follow. Golf has acquired a particular audience since the 60’s with some great on-air personalities. Even those who don’t follow the game and simply turn on the coverage occasionally, have the opportunity to see some of the best real estate in the world while listening to a kinder, gentler, professional commentator. With the change to FOX, some of the network and Golf Channel folk will be potentially up for grabs.
I refuse to imagine that FOX will go some crazy direction and jeopardize their audience. But I do expect we will see a bit more of Win McMurry 🙂
Jay Miller says:
August 8, 2013 at 5:47 pm
If they bring out the stingers..nobody should watch
Kevin Wright says:
August 8, 2013 at 7:38 pm
It’s not like they don’t have 22 months to get things in order – and they do, but If FOX really wants to make a splash in the first year they should take full advantage of where their first tourney will be contested – in Washington State. Suitable daylight runs there to about 8:30 PM in June. If I were in charge I would throw Glee and Hell’s Kitchen aside, allowing the broadcast coverage to take over network primetime. Three hours the first two days 8 to 11 ET (or close of play), then the usual marathon coverage on the weekend extending to the close of play. Sunday’s coverage should time out so the presentation takes place around 9:45 PM ET (6:45 PM PT) leading into local news. No bells, whistles, or Cleatus required.