Belmont Stakes Returns to NBC
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the NBC Sports Group have announced a five-year deal to air the Belmont Stakes.
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 the same channel.
“We are thrilled to return our premier race to NBC Sports,” said NYRA Chairman C. Steven Duncker. “They have done a terrific job covering horse racing, including their Kentucky Derby and the Preakness 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 Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes will be held Saturday, June 11 on a card that also features five additional graded races, including the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Manhattan, the Grade 1 Foxwoods Just a Game, and the Grade 1 Betfair TVG Acorn.
NBC Sports today announced they have renewed the rights to the Preakness Stakes, 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,” said NBC Sports Group Chairman Dick Ebersol. “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.”