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<p>As first reported by <a href="https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-19/champions-league-to-stay-on-paramount-with-1-5-billion-us-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gerry Smith at Bloomberg</a>, CBS Sports (as CBS/Viacom/Paramount) renewed its English-language rights to broadcast the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">UEFA Champions League</a> for the next six years. The deal also includes the rights to UEFA’s other club competitions, the Europa League and Europa Conference League.</p>
<p>The broadcaster fended off interest from Amazon. Amazon did secure a portion of the UK market rights for UEFA club competitions in a similar deal. The total price tag hovers around $1.5 billion. This number represents a substantial jump in a per-year basis compared to CBS’s previous deal with UEFA.</p>
<p>CBS’s renewal of the UEFA Champions League solidifies UEFA’s recent growth in the U.S. market via CBS. That growth stems from matches airing on CBS Sports Network, CBS over-the-air. Now, the broadcaster has eight more total years with the various properties, ending at the conclusion of the 2029/30 season. That is a full decade removed from when CBS assumed the rights. That started in the midst of the knockout stages of the 2019/20 campaign.</p>
<p>As detailed shortly, UEFA has many reasons to be pleased with CBS Sports. Also, UEFA had doubts about changing course yet again and how that may affect the property’s growth. Any association with Amazon and the Prime Video streaming service has upside. Yet, the potential of stalling the momentum UEFA with another broadcaster change was a risk. CBS is the safer call, and it is almost certainly the&nbsp;<em>right&nbsp;</em>call for UEFA.</p>
<h5>Significance for Paramount+</h5>
<p>Paramount+ relies on its UEFA club matches as an entry point for new sign-ups and sustained subscriptions. It is the one-stop-shop for soccer fans seeking content related to UEFA club competitions in English. This fuels the growth for the platform, while also providing fans a consistent service. There, fans of European soccer can not only find matches. Paramount+ also opens the door to highlight packages and magazine programs.</p>
<p>“UEFA has been a key driver for Paramount+ since our launch and we are thrilled to extend this successful partnership showcasing even more world-class soccer through the 2029-30 season, building on the incredible momentum we have created the past two years,” said Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports. “UEFA is a perfect example of our differentiated strategy presenting marquee properties to drive and strengthen both our streaming and traditional linear businesses. This multiplatform approach allows us to leverage the power of Paramount Global to reach the broadest possible audience and elevate and grow the reach of UEFA in the United States. We look forward to continuing to provide soccer fans CBS Sports’ best-in class coverage that our viewers expect.”</p>
<p>Recommended viewing option:</p>
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<h4>Watch UEFA Club Competitions</h4>
<p>Includes: Champions League, Europa League, &amp; More</p></td>
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<h5>Champions League coverage in the U.S.</h5>
<p>Prior to CBS’s takeover in 2019/20, the Champions League was a niche sporting property in the United States. Both FOX Sports and Turner Sports used the property to provide live programming for their cable channels on midweek afternoons. However, the average viewership and interest in the competition failed to grow. Meanwhile, general interest in soccer did rise during that period from 2009 to 2020 when FOX and Turner held the rights.</p>
<p>Back in 2009, when FOX took began its Champions League broadcasts, the Champions League was the premier soccer property on U.S. television. However, in the period that followed, the Premier League soared past UEFA competitions in terms of domestic interest. In fact, statistics argue MLS can surpass the Champions League in terms of American popularity, as well.</p>
<p>CBS’s approach to broadcasting the Champions League is clearly a winner. The broadcaster married the European expertise in covering the competition to an outstanding studio production. Studio crews are something CBS has a reputation of doing well regardless of sport. Plus, CBS’s commitment to putting knockout stage games on the over-the-air channel led to a huge surge in ratings. Moreover, it led to a general spike in conversation about the UEFA Champions League.</p>
<p>Additionally, CBS’ Sports <em>Golazo!</em> whip-around show took a successful American sports idea and applied it to UEFA. Fans can watch highlights from eight games as they happen, growing interest in the competition and sport for neutrals. Simply put, the CBS approach helped grow the competition and the visibility of other UEFA club competitions.</p>
<h3>CBS renews UEFA Champions League deal</h3>
<p>A large part of CBS’ success in broadcasting UEFA club competitions has been a combination of expertise in studio combined with edginess on air. For many viewers, CBS struck the right balance with this. It is something the broadcaster made unique to this property. CBS Sports covers other soccer properties it has the rights to differently. Other broadcasters do not operate in this way.</p>
<p>For example, ESPN has the reputation of applying an “ESPN treatment” to any property. It creates a consistent look and feel between everything it broadcasts.</p>
<p>The unique style of CBS’ approach to broadcasting UEFA club competitions may not be for everyone. Clearly, it pleases UEFA and yielded growth in interest within the United States.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The broadcaster now has eight more years to cement upward growth trajectory. Consequently, this benefits not only the sport, but CBS’s own platforms. Paramount+, CBS Sports Network and CBS over-the-air all can reap the rewards if this trend continues.</p>


CBS renewed its rights deal with the UEFA Champions League through 2029/30, marking over a decade of covering the competition.

CBS renews UEFA Champions League rights through 2029/30 - World Soccer Talk

CBS renews UEFA Champions League rights through 2029/30

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<p>Marcelo Bielsa is on the verge of returning to a managerial role, this time with Spanish side Athletic Club.</p>
<p>Despite there being no deal in place as of yet for the Argentine to return to Bilbao, Athletic Club and Marcelo Bielsa are in discussion. The speculation regarding Bielsa’s return to management comes from <a href="https:\/\/theathletic.com/news/marcelo-bielsa-athletic-bilbao/ENtvu2HrliDW/" target="_new" rel="noopener">comments regarding the Athletic Club’s presidential race</a>.</p>
<p>With the upcoming club election on June 24, presidential candidate Inaki Arechabaleta said that he will hire Bielsa should the club’s members elect him. According to the Athletic’s Dermot Corrigan, Arechabaleta is the least likely of the three candidates for president. However, that could change regarding the potential return of Bielsa.</p>
<p>Marcelo Bielsa will accept the Athletic Club managerial role should it be offered. Bizarrely, <a href="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXY4xrHeUSA" target="_new" rel="noopener">Bielsa recently broke down</a> Athletic Club’s current squad and how it would shape out next season.</p>
<p>During the 2021/22 Premier League season, Leeds United relieved the Argentine of his position. In late February, Leeds United went on a string of four losses conceding a total of 17 in those games. The Yorkshire club replaced Bielsa with <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/08/jesse-marsch-is-leeds-american-savior-from-relegation/">American Jesse Marsch</a> with the Whites in 16th, having played two more games than then-17th Burnley.</p>
<p>Despite the drag in performance over his last games, Bielsa is a club legend at Leeds. Of course, his tactics returned the club to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years. However, his presence around Elland Road clearly left an impact. In fact, Leeds fans took out a <a href="https:\/\/theathletic.com/news/leeds-fans-take-out-full-page-ad-in-argentinian-newspaper-to-thank-marcelo-bielsa/mVAURuntqouW/" target="_new" rel="noopener">full-page ad in an Argentine newspaper</a> to thank Bielsa despite the unceremonious departure from the Premier League.</p>
<p>Clearly, Bielsa is someone who understands the passion of the game. Plus, he can do it with sides that may not have the funding or talent of other clubs. Yet, he pulls the best out of those at his disposal.</p>
<h5>Familiar spot</h5>
<p>Enter Athletic Club de Bilbao. The Basque side has a strict <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2021/08/27/athletic-club-bilbao-and-basque-nationalism-laligas-one-of-a-kind-story/">self-imposed transfer policy</a> that only allows the club to use players born or taught around the Basque nation of northern Spain.</p>
<p>Evidently,&nbsp;<em>Los Leones&nbsp;</em>understand what it means for everyone to be involved in the club. Plus, this potential manager has a history with the Basques.</p>
<p>Marcelo Bielsa managed Athletic Club for two seasons from 2011 to 2013. In that first season, Athletic Club finished runner-up in both the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Europa League. It is Athletic Club’s best finish in the Copa del Rey since winning in 1984. Similarly, the second-place finish is the best in Europa League history for Athletic Club.</p>
<h3>Marcelo Bielsa at Athletic Club</h3>
<p>In the near-decade since Bielsa left Athletic Club, much changed in the soccer world. Transfers, although perhaps not a direct correlation, dictate success. For instance, the most successful clubs in Spain, England and France have rosters dominated by players arriving via transfer.</p>
<p>Marcelo Bielsa does not have the opportunity to use that at Athletic Club. Even at Leeds, Bielsa acquired the likes of Raphinha, Jack Harrison, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo on the transfer market. Each of those players had a key role in either securing promotion or retaining it in the Premier League.</p>
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Signing  > The Legacy <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/hashtag/bielsa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bielsa</a> <a href="https:\/\/t.co/gOHKRjKse2">https:\/\/t.co/gOHKRjKse2</a> <a href="https:\/\/t.co/ufSbAFsdvy">pic.twitter.com/ufSbAFsdvy</a></p>
<p>— LUFC Trust (@lufctrust) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/lufctrust/status/1536967765680132097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2022</a></p></blockquote></div>
<p><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Instead, Marcelo Bielsa must rely on home-grown talent specifically from the area surrounding Bilbao. Despite the geographical and cultural limits, this still opens the doors for talent at the San Mamés.</p>
<p>Currently, that means players like Iñaki Williams, Iker Muniain, Unai Simón and a young Oihan Sincet all performed well. Despite the challenges associated with the club, Athletic joins Barcelona and Real Madrid as the three clubs to never be relegated from the Spanish top flight. Excluding the Supercopa de España, Athletic Club’s last trophy came in 1984 with a league and cup double.</p>
<p>However, Marcelo Bielsa brings in tactics that got Leeds United back to its glory days. He could do the same should Athletic Club pull the trigger on his acquisition.</p>
<h5>Breaking down Bielsa</h5>
<p>It can be fun to speculate how Marcelo Bielsa fits into the plans for Athletic Club. Start with the obvious. Marcelino, the current Bilbao manager, employs a heavy press and a 4-4-2 formation. Athletic Club prefers to force players into isolation on the wing and limit options for assistance. At Leeds, Bielsa opted for a similar strategy. More often than not, Leeds players would defend players one-on-one, forcing the opposition to beat the defending Leeds player himself.</p>
<p>While Leeds and Athletic Club both executed counter-attacking style, possession is not necessarily hard to come by. In fact, Leeds had the <a href="https:\/\/www.fotmob.com/leagues/47/stats/season/15382/teams/possession_percentage/premier-league" target="_new" rel="noopener">fourth-highest average possession percentage</a> in the Premier League during Bielsa’s full year in the English top flight, 2020/21. This past season, Athletic Club hovered around the <a href="https:\/\/fbref.com/en/comps/12/possession/La-Liga-Stats" target="_new" rel="noopener">middle of the LaLiga pack</a> in terms of possession at 48%.</p>
<p>The press has its flaws. Across-the-field play and line-splitting passes put the defensive back line under pressure quickly. If the press does not lead to quick goals, it can be tiresome on the players. Moreover, there is reason to believe this could yield <a href="https:\/\/theathletic.com/news/marsch-training-methods-under-bielsa-led-to-leedss-injury-crisis/OTAxS2A4prMI/" target="_new" rel="noopener">long-term damage and injuries</a> to players. That strenuous nature persisted the <a href="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=85bJmlSthNk&amp;t=36s" target="_new" rel="noopener">last time Bielsa managed in LaLiga</a>.</p>
<h5>Impact on LaLiga</h5>
<p>While LaLiga has little to no say over whether or not Athletic Club brings on Marcelo Bielsa, the league surely welcomes his arrival.</p>
<p>Marcelo Bielsa developed a strong following during his time at Leeds. He is a passionate manager that has worldwide recognition. Admittedly, he does not have the acclaim or success of a coach like Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho, Zinedine Zidane or Carlo Ancelotti, he does have acclaim. In the last 15 years, he has managerial experience in Spain, England, Italy, France and internationally with Chile.</p>
<p>That experience brings in eyes based solely on experience from previous positions. LaLiga wants more eyes, and this could be an example of a manager pulling audiences.</p>
<p>After missing out on both Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, Bielsa could be a storyline to follow in LaLiga.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images</em></p>


Marcelo Bielsa could be returning as a manager to Athletic Club. He is a fine fit for the club, and perhaps much-needed in LaLiga.

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