Dave Checketts to Buy GOL TV

Dave Checketts the former President of the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks and the current owner of Real Salt Lake has bought the all soccer network GOL TV for $200 million. The deal has not been finalized yet and according to the EPL Talk website, several MLS executives may have an issue with an MLS owner running an all Soccer network that does not broadcast MLS games. GOL TV has the American rights to the Spanish LaLiga considered by many the world’s top league as well as rights to Italy’s SerieA, several South American leagues and the American lower divisions within the USL. GOL TV also has far superior commentating talent to that of ESPN who unfortunetly holds the MLS rights. GOL TV’s commentating team featuring Phil Schoen, Ray Hudson and Lindsey Dean all display a greater knowledge of American soccer and the US player pool than the former national team players who now dominate ESPN’s MLS and US Soccer coverage. GOL TV’s team is also very critical when needed of MLS and US Soccer, which is in direct contrast to ESPN’s coverage which has become a paid advertisment for MLS.

ESPN has assigned its best commentators for Soccer to the Champions League: Names such as Derek Rae, Tommy Smyth and Seamus Malin. These days for any real critical analysis of US soccer or MLS, GOL TV’s weekly American Soccer show is by far the best and most honest option on the air and let’s hope Checketts is permitted by MLS to continue to operate the network as is.