Under Further Review: NBC and ESPN trade rights

We see players traded nearly every day in sports. Unless a couple of super stars are involved in the swap, we tend to just ignore them. Outlets like ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS, NBC break the news about a lot of these player trades, something we're all used to by now. But rarely do the media outlets ever make trades like ESPN and NBC Sports made earlier this week when ESPN gave NBC the rights to the Ryder Cup in exchange for the ability to show English Premier League highlights.

HIO: NBC Ready for English Premier League

On Saturday, the English Premier League kicks off a new season. Aside from the usual managerial changes and player moves in the offseason, soccer fans in the U.S. should be excited for another reason. NBC will be broadcasting every match of the season, either on air or online.

Global Scope: The Lionel Messi Line

Different people have different theories as to why soccer has never "made it" in the United States of America. Some people say that it is because soccer players are great actors, who dive throughout the game urging the referees to call fouls which did not happen. Others say it is because there isn't a strong local league to back the fans who love the game. Whatever theory you may argue, I'm sure that it is a valid one but this isn't exactly what's at hand here.


Knowing that the United States is an important market, even for soccer, Adidas is moving to launch a range of soccer gear inspired on FC Barcelona's player Lionel Messi.