"The Week in Review,” is a weekly series that highlights the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City.
1. Major League Soccer announces Multi-year Linear TV Rights Agreements with FOX Sports, TelevisaUnivision, TSN and RDS
Major League Soccer announced new four-year linear television agreements in the U.S. and Canada: FOX Sports (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes) and TelevisaUnivision (Univision/UNIMÁS/TUDN) in the U.S., and TSN and RDS in Canada. The new linear agreements complement the transformative 10-year partnership between MLS and Apple starting next year that will feature MLS Season Pass and provide fans an unprecedented and innovative broadcast package featuring the most comprehensive and accessible schedule of games and programming in the history of the league.
For each of the four MLS seasons through 2026, FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes will have exclusive English and Spanish language linear broadcast rights to an average of 34 regular season and eight Audi MLS Cup Playoff matches. FOX and FOX Deportes will also be the home for MLS Cup in the U.S. for the next four years as well. TelevisaUnivision, FOX Sports, TSN and RDS will be the linear broadcast home for select matches in Leagues Cup – the monumental new chapter for North American soccer beginning in 2023.
Every live MLS match will also be available through MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app, including nearly 500 regular season matches, the All-Star game, the entire playoffs, the Leagues Cup, and MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches. A selection of MLS and Leagues Cup matches, including some of the biggest playoff matchups, will also be available at no additional cost to Apple TV+ subscribers.
2. Sporting Kansas City named MLS Security Team of the Year
The winners of the 2022 Mark Abbott MLS Club Awards, recognizing clubs and individuals driving business, fostering innovation and delivering value to fans and communities were announced by Major League Soccer last week. Sporting Kansas City was among the recipients of the awards as the club was named the 2022 Security Team of the Year. Sporting KC's entire security team showed initiative and innovation throughout the 2022 MLS season, partnering closely with local emergency service departments including the Kansas City Kansas (KCK) Police Department, KCK Fire Department, FBI and BEST Security. MLS's top security team also spearheaded an effort to pass new policies and regulations regarding the flying of drones over stadiums. This new legislation accompanied the installation of state-of-the-art drone detection equipment at Children's Mercy Park.
3. Sporting KC II acquires 2022 USL League One Young Player of the Year Ethan Bryant
Sporting KC II bolstered their roster last week, signing 21-year-old midfielder Ethan Bryant in a transfer from USL League One's Richmond Kickers. Bryant joins SKC II for the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season after making 28 appearances for the Kickers, accumulating three goals and five assists. The 21-year-old turned pro when he was 16, signing with USL Championship side San Antonio FC. Becoming the youngest player in club history, Bryant made his debut in a U.S. Open Cup match against Colorado Springs on May 23, 2018.
Bryant links up with SKC II ahead of the second-ever MLS NEXT Pro season set to take place in 2023. Led by head coach Benny Feilhaber, the team will continue to make additions to the roster ahead of both the preseason and regular season. Fans can follow @SportingKCII on Twitter to keep up with all the latest news around the team.
