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CBC signs broadcast deal with Toronto FC

Last Updated: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 | 10:56 AM ET

CBC Sports

The CBC announced Wednesday that it has secured broadcast rights to Toronto FC, Canada's first Major League Soccer club, for the 2007 season.

CBC Television will broadcast a package of 14 regular-season Toronto FC games this year, including the expansion franchise's home opener on April 28 against the Kansas City Wizards.

Chivas USA defenceman Lawson Vaughn, left, misses his kick, leaving Toronto's Alecko Eskandarian open to take a shot during FC's debut game last Saturday.
(Mark Avery/Associated Press)

The agreement also provides CBC with the exclusive Canadian broadcast rights to the 2007 MLS playoffs and MLS Cup, as well as the 2007 MLS all-star game on July 19.

In addition, CBC will provide live and on-demand video streaming of all Toronto FC game broadcasts on the network in 2007, in addition to Toronto FC and MLS highlights.

CBC Country Canada will provide encore presentations of all 14 matchups broadcast by CBC Television. The agreement includes an option for CBC to broadcast additional games in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Rogers Sportsnet and The Score will also air Toronto FC games in 2007.

"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. "

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the owners of Toronto FC, also lauded the broadcast deal.

"There's a large appetite for soccer in Ontario and across Canada. Our new broadcast agreements will give all 30 Toronto FC games great exposure to a broad audience by introducing Major League Soccer to Canadians coast to coast," said Tom Anselmi, chief operating officer of MLSE. "We're excited and look forward to the extension of our existing relationship with CBC through our new soccer team."

Aside from Toronto's home opener, other 2007 schedule highlights include the potential MLS debut of David Beckham as Toronto FC hosts the Los Angeles Galaxy on Aug. 5.

Toronto FC officially became MLS's 13th team last spring and the first club outside the United States since the league officially kicked off in 1996.

This story is now closed to commenting.

Internal Links

CBC's Toronto FC broadcast schedule
IN DEPTH: 2007 Toronto FC season preview
IN DEPTH: 2007 Major League Soccer season preview
Major League Soccer Power Rankings
Toronto FC lose MLS opener
Your view: Toronto FC

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