NEWSLETTER
Although they’re not likely to match the high water mark of the era set by the Los Angeles Dodgers – 25 years and $8.5 billion, or an average of $340 million per season ($2.1 million per game) – the Philadelphia Phillies have finally inked their big money television contract.
“We’re pleased to confirm that NBCUniversal and Comcast SportsNet have signed a new long-term deal with the Philadelphia Phillies that will expand Comcast SportsNet’s role as the Phillies’ primary TV partner,” Comcast SportsNet’s Senior Director of Communications Maureen Quilter said in a statement (Philly.com). “Although the terms of the comprehensive deal are confidential, details surrounding the 2014 schedule of games will be provided in the coming months.”
The Courier Times reports that the deal will be in the 20 to 25-year range, for a “massive” amount of money. As I said, it’s not going to match the Dodgers’ deal, but, once you get past the $1 million per game range, you’ve got plenty of money to push the luxury tax cap every year if you want. The deal is set to extend the Phillies’ current deal (which pays them just $35 million per season or so), which was going to expire in 2015. If the Phillies are to continue spending huge money on the worst free agents/extensions, they will need this deal.
This is where you are reminded of the Cubs’ current TV deal situation:
