Turner Sports will televise regular and postseason games from the upstart Alliance of American Football League as part of a multi-year distribution agreement between the two parties.
TNT and Turner’s Bleacher Report Live streaming service will air live games from the eight-team league -- which launches the week after Sunday’s (Feb. 3) Super Bowl. TNT will air the Feb. 16 Salt Lake Stallions vs Birmingham Iron game, part of its deal to air one regular season and one playoff game each year during the length of the agreement, according to network officials.
B/R Live will air weekly regular season games, beginning Feb. 23 with the Arizona Hotshots vs. Salt Lake Stallions contest. In addition to live game coverage, all Alliance games distributed through B/R Live will be available on demand, with highlight rights extending across B/R platforms.
Turner Sports joins CBS Sports in distributing Alliance games. CBS broadcast network will air the championship game, while CBS Sports Network will carry at least one game per week.
“We’re looking forward to this exciting partnership with The Alliance – including working closely with its leadership team of Charlie Ebersol, Bill Polian, Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu – and share the enthusiasm and forward-thinking vision being applied to this newly-formed league,” said Lenny Daniels, President of Turner Sports in a statement. “This is a true partnership and The Alliance will have our full support in the distribution of its live game coverage and content across the Turner Sports portfolio.”
The Alliance of American Football will play a 10-week regular season schedule, with a four-team playoff format and a championship game to determine the league’s top team. The league’s inaugural eight teams include: Atlanta Legends, Birmingham Iron, Memphis Express, Orlando Apollos, Arizona Hotshots, Salt Lake Stallions, San Antonio Commanders, and San Diego Fleet.
