NBC Universal Gain Broadcasting Rights for the 2011 & 2015 Rugby World Cup

[ORothlain]

This bit of news should bring a bit of rejoicing from the Ruggers of America. "Universal Sports Network, NBC Sports, and the International Rugby Board today announced a partnership that will bring to U.S. audiences unprecedented national television and digital media coverage of the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup tournaments. The announcement was made by Universal Sports CEO David Sternberg and Mike Miller, CEO and Secretary General, International Rugby Board" (http://www.universalsports.com/news/article/newsid=478244.html).
IRB Chief Executive Mike Miller said: "Today's announcement represents a significant milestone in the development of Rugby in the United States. NBC and Universal Sports are globally renowned for quality broadcast delivery of major sports events in the United States and their considerable experience and passion for sport will deliver the widespread platform for Rugby World Cup to truly capture the hearts and minds of American sports fans. The announcement further underscores the sport's rapidly growing profile in emerging Rugby markets, further accelerated by the IOC's decision to include Rugby Sevens in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Sports fans across America will be able to look forward to a Rugby World Cup that will showcase the very best that our sport has to offer. I am sure that it will be a hit" (http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/mediaz...html#rugby+world+cup+make+us+network+tv+debut).
Now hopefully someone will add the 6 Nations, Tri-Nations and the Spring and Summer Tours to that schedule and we'll have some sort of a ground to build on here in ole America. Hoozah!

Further Reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Sports