FOX Sports Acquires Media Rights To Belmont Stakes Through 2030
The Belmont Stakes, the final leg of horse racing's Triple Crown series, will have a new home on network television.
FOX Sports announced the acquisition of the media rights to the Belmont Stakes Thursday, an eight-year partnership that will begin in 2023. New York Racing Association Bets will be the new title sponsor of the event, now the most prestigious American sports event to be sponsored by a gaming brand, per the release.
“From Secretariat to American Pharoah, the Belmont Stakes has been racing’s greatest test of the champion, and we couldn’t be prouder to bring it to FOX Sports,” said Michael Mulvihill, FOX Sports Executive Vice President, Head of Strategy and Analytics. “The Belmont enhances FOX’s status as the industry leader in live events and is an important step in our evolution as a media and gaming brand.”
NBC has broadcasted the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes since 2011. NYRA and FOX Sports previously came to a landmark media rights agreement in March 2021. The deal extended FOX Sports' television rights with the NYRA through 2030.
“FOX Sports has quickly become the year-round home of the finest thoroughbred racing in the country,” said Dave O’Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “Their commitment to presenting innovative and informative coverage has had an enormous impact on reaching new fans and enhancing overall interest in the sport. That’s why NYRA is so pleased to expand our partnership to now include the Belmont Stakes on FOX for many years to come.”
Originating in 1867 at Jerome Park, the Belmont Stakes has seen 13 horses finish off the Triple Crown with a win at the event. The 154th running of the Belmont Stakes will take place on June, 11, 2022, the last one to be televised on NBC before the deal kicks in.
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