Mike Whan (Image Source: Imagn)
USGA CEO Mike Whan gave his take on the million-dollar broadcasting amount for the men's US Open. Fox Sports had signed a whopping $1 billion contract for 12 years to broadcast the Major. The deal began in 2015 and was scheduled to conclude in 2026.
However, in 2020, Fox Sports ended its contract with the USGA, and NBC stepped up to serve the remaining term. Since the 2020 US Open, NBC Universal has held the rights to cover the Major.
Recently, in an interview with Golf Digest, Mike Whan was asked about the money involved in broadcasting the US Open and the difference in figures projected by NBC and the USGA.
Golf analyst Max Adler asked Whan,
"Everybody knows the men’s U.S. Open is the moneymaker. Fox and NBC combine to pay the USGA more than $90 million a year in rights fees, but NBC’s portion is less than $40 million. NBC keeps saying $40 million is what it’s worth, but the USGA projection is $115 million. How do you see closing the gap?"
