NBC SPORTS GROUP ACQUIRES EXCLUSIVE U.S. MEDIA RIGHTS FOR 2017 AMERICA'S CUP

NBC, NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra Will Combine To Present More Than 35 Hours of 2017 America's Cup and America's Cup Challenger Playoffs

Live Coverage of America's Cup Finals To Air on NBC

NBCSN To Present 2015 and 2016 America's Cup World Series

STAMFORD, Conn. - Feb. 9, 2015 - NBC Sports Group has acquired exclusive United States media rights for the 2017 America's Cup Finals and America's Cup Challenger Playoffs. Per the agreement, NBC, NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra will combine to provide more than 35 hours of coverage of both events from Bermuda. The announcement was made today by NBC Sports Group and the America's Cup Event Authority.

In addition to the 2017 America's Cup Finals and Challenger Playoffs, NBCSN will present coverage of all America's Cup World Series events in 2015 and 2016, which will determine seeding for the 2017 America's Cup Challenger Playoffs. Once determined, the winning team of the Challenger Playoffs will then race against defending America's Cup winner ORACLE TEAM USA in the 2017 America's Cup Finals.

NBC Sports Group's coverage of the 2017 America's Cup marks the second consecutive presentation of the event on NBC, NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra. NBC Sports Group previously served as the U.S. television home of the 2013 America's Cup, in which ORACLE TEAM USA staged a dramatic comeback, winning eight consecutive races to come from behind and defeat Emirates Team New Zealand, 9-8.

"We are excited to once again showcase the best sailing in the world to a national audience," said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC and NBCSN. "The 2013 America's Cup served as the setting for one of the greatest comebacks in recent sports history, and we will again leverage the full collection of broadcast, cable and online platforms of the NBC Sports Group to present the race for the oldest trophy in international sports."

"We are delighted to announce this agreement with NBC Sports Group," said Harvey Schiller, Commercial Commissioner of the America's Cup. "This is a great deal for the America's Cup, our teams and our partners. NBC Sports Group's continued interest reflects the sports increasing popularity, as well as potential additional growth of the America's Cup as a major television event."

Six teams are currently entered into the 2017 America's Cup: ORACLE TEAM USA (USA), Emirates Team New Zealand (New Zealand), Artemis Racing (SWE), Ben Ainslie Racing (GBR), Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA), and Team France (FRA). Specific dates of the races will be announced in the coming months.

NBCSN will air comprehensive coverage of all 2015 and 2016 America's Cup World Series events, including this year's races in Italy, Great Britain, Sweden and Bermuda. Coverage of the 2015 America's Cup World Series begins in June. The locations and dates of the 2016 America's Cup World Series events will be announced soon. Coverage of the 2017 America's Cup Challenger Playoffs will air on NBCSN in the days prior to the 2017 America's Cup Finals.