Facebook has followed its recent deal with Spanish-language network Univision Communications to air live games from Mexico's top tier Liga MX football league through Facebook Live in the US by signing another agreement with Univision to live stream at least 22 regular-season Major League Soccer games during the 2017 season. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, the social network has gained exclusive, English-language rights to games that are usually shown on Univision in Spanish. The first live-streamed game will be Atlanta United versus Chicago Fire on 18 March.
Under the terms of the deal, Major League Soccer will also produce over 40 "Matchday Live" shows, with commentary and analysis of the daily games. The games will be shown on Univision Deportes’ Facebook page and will include unique camera angles optimised for mobile viewing, Facebook-specific commentators, as well as interactive graphics and fan polls. The exclusive "Matchday Live" shows will stream on MLS’ Facebook page. “This is new territory for us, it’s new territory for Facebook and new territory for Univision,” said MLS president of business ventures Gary Stevenson in the report.
Facebook is also said to be in advanced talks with Major League Baseball to live stream one game per week when the spring season opens, according to a recent report from Reuters.
