The New York Racing Association (NYRA) and the NBC Sports Group have
announced a five-year deal to air the Belmont S. (G1). The agreement marks the
return of the third leg of the Triple Crown to the network that had previously
shown it from 2001-2005, and includes additional coverage from Belmont Park
airing on VERSUS. The deal also reunites all three Triple Crown races on NBC,
which now owns the rights to the series through 2015.
“We are thrilled to return our premier race to NBC Sports,” NYRA Chairman C.
Steven Duncker said. “They have done a terrific job covering horse racing,
including their Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Preakness (G1) broadcasts over the
prior decade. With an excellent production team that has pioneered innovative
camera angles, and a tremendous group of on-air talent that offers unique
insights into the races, NBC Sports will be a great partner for the Belmont
Stakes.”
The 143rd running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes will be held June 11 on a
card that also features five additional graded races, including the Manhattan S.
(G1), Just a Game S. (G1) and Acorn (G1).
NBC Sports announced Tuesday they have renewed the rights to the Preakness,
and they already had previously announced a renewal for the Kentucky Derby.
“Everyone at NBC Sports Group is delighted that the Triple Crown has been
reassembled. We are now uniquely positioned to significantly expand the reach of
these iconic events with extensive coverage on VERSUS,” NBC Sports Group
Chairman Dick Ebersol said. “As we previously announced, we are continuing our
long-standing partnership with the Kentucky Derby. To add this extension with
the Preakness while reacquiring the Belmont gives our new NBC Sports Group the
three most important events in Thoroughbred racing.
“And we want to thank Churchill Downs Incorporated and CEO Bob Evans for his
leadership in paving the way for the Triple Crown to return to NBC.”