MISL and Fox Soccer Channel Announce Exclusive Two-Year Broadcast Agreement

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MISL and Fox Soccer Channel Announce Exclusive Two-Year Broadcast Agreement

LOS ANGELES & WESTPORT, Conn. (Tuesday, October 9, 2007) - Fox Soccer Channel and the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) today announced a two-year broadcasting agreement to televise league matches beginning this November through the 2008/09 season. This partnership represents the MISL's most comprehensive national television coverage in its seven-year history.
The 20-match regular season telecast schedule for 2007/08 commences on Friday, November 16 with the three-time MISL champion Baltimore Blast hosting the expansion La Raza de Monterrey (MX), live at 8:00 p.m. ET. The complete schedule, which concludes on March 28, 2008, will be announced at a later date; most matches will air live on Fridays during the 8-10:00 p.m. ET broadcast window.

"Our extensive coverage of the Major Indoor Soccer League affirms Fox Soccer Channel's ongoing commitment to showcasing the very best domestic soccer competitions at all levels of the sport," said David Sternberg, executive vice president and general manager of Fox Soccer Channel. "With its fast-paced, high-scoring action, the MISL is a great addition to our domestic soccer offering that already includes Major League Soccer, the United Soccer Leagues and college soccer, as well as the perfect complement to our in-depth, exclusive coverage of top-flight international leagues and tournaments."

"This is a very exciting time for our League, our fans, and our players," said MISL Commissioner Steve Ryan. "We are extremely proud to announce our multi-year media partnership with Fox Soccer Channel. This partnership vastly increases the exposure and frequency of our made-for-television professional sport and places our League with America's top soccer destination. As we expand the footprint of our League with the addition of our three expansion teams in Monterrey, New Jersey and Orlando, we continue to work diligently to build and expand our media platforms to present our great game and our world-class athletes to an ever-growing audience."

This marks the second national partnership between the MISL and Fox. During the 2002/03 season, Fox Sports World - the predecessor to Fox Soccer Channel - featured a 10-match MISL Game of the Week telecast package.