Sky Sports secures eight-year rights deal for US PGA Tour

SKY SPORTS has secured broadcast rights of the US PGA Tour for the next eight years, after broadcaster Setanta’s British arm went into administration.

The deal, one of the longest broadcast agreements ever awarded by the US PGA, will give viewers live access to the tour in high definition.

The deal also includes coverage of the FedExCup and live rights to the President Cup until 2017. Financial terms were not disclosed, but it is thought to be worth at least €8.3m per year – still significantly less than Setanta had committed to pay before its UK arm collapsed earlier this year.

Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: “This is great news for our viewers and for golf. We can promise quality events, with some of the biggest names in golf, right through the calendar and even more HD coverage. It is fascinating to be able to follow players from the US Tour alongside our European coverage, particularly in a Ryder Cup year. And it’s a great time to be back covering the US Tour, with Rory McIlroy committed to events from the US calendar.”

Tim Leisure, PGA Tour senior vice president of international television added: “The PGA Tour is extremely pleased once again to be associated with Sky Sports. This long-term association guarantees fans will have access to the exciting chase for the FedExCup in HD for many years to come.”

Sky Sports current programming includes the Ryder Cup in 2010 and 2012, US Open until 2014, US PGA Championship until 2016, Solheim Cup in 2011 and 2013, all three World Golf Championship events each season until 2012, and 35 events each season on the PGA European Tour, plus The Race For Dubai until 2012. Sky Sports also broadcasts events from The Ladies and Amateur Tours.