Highlight Deal: NBC, ESPN Exchange Rights (Ryder Cup, Premier League Coverage)

According to the Golf Channel, ESPN and NBC have recently reached an agreement to exchange rights involving the Ryder Cup and the Premier League. NBC will once again acquire the rights to the 2014 Ryder Cup day one media coverage for the first time since 2006 beginning next year. In return, ESPN will be authorized increased use of Premier League highlights. 

Deals such as this do occur every so often. Acquiring coverage and highlights are important because they give the organization one more piece in their arsenal to reach out to their fan base. ESPN and NBC have also worked together in the past on a deal such as this.

In 2006, Disney (who owns ABC and ESPN) had at long last acquired the rights to cartoon character "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit", from NBC. The fictional icon was originally created by Walt Disney himself, which made the deal appropriate. ABC and ESPN also acquired the rights to day one coverage of the Ryder's Cup. In return, NBC acquired broadcaster Al Michaels. 

With NBC once again getting the rights to day one Ryder Cup Coverage, this also makes the deal fitting as they signed an agreement with PGA earlier this year that extended weekend coverage of the Ryder's Cup to 2030. 

ESPN, on the other hand, will be able to cover more of the Premier League highlights. Since these stations are in competition, they are likely to charge a hefty price even for highlights. This is essentially why ESPN does not have much coverage of NHL highlights.

For this agreement, both sides seem to benefit. It simply makes sense.

Check back for analysis on the next highlight deal on Wednesday.