Without U.S. Soccer to Root for, Fox and Telemundo Double Down on Mexico
Jesus Corona (17) of Mexico battles for possession against Panama’s Adolfo Machado (13) during a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Mexico City.
Photographer: Vivas/Getty Images
Fox Sports broadcaster Fernando Fiore spent the hours after the U.S. failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in October interviewing dejected players about their stunning 2-1 loss to Trinidad and Tobago. It was the most embarrassing moment for U.S. soccer in more than 30 years. A long day’s work over, Fiore, a veteran soccer announcer, returned to his hotel in Trinidad. Only then did his thoughts turn to his employer. “That’s when I realized: Oh, my God, we don’t have the U.S. national team.”
Seven years earlier, Fox had paid a record $400 million to pry away the English-language rights to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups from Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN/ABC. A big draw was the U.S. team, which accounted for four of the five most-watched matches on ESPN/ABC during the 2014 tournament. In October a person close to Fox estimated that U.S. soccer’s absence could cost the network $10 million to $20 million in ad sales. While sales are on target so far, the source says, prices for spots in the last-minute market could suffer.