When World Soccer Discuss lately interviewed NBC Sports activities government Jon Miller who performed a vital position in serving to the broadcaster signal the Premier League rights deal, we realized of the roles that basketball legend Michael Jordan and discuss present host Seth Meyers performed.
Right here’s how Jon Miller, president of acquisitions and partnerships at NBC Sports activities, and beforehand president of programming at NBC Sports activities, defined it:
“After we have been first going after the Premier League within the September of 2012, the was in Medina exterior of Chicago. [Premier League executives] Richard Scudamore and Richard Masters have been there on the Ryder Cup to root for the European crew.
“Richard [Scudamore] is a visitor in our hospitality [area]. My son, Robby, who’s a giant Premier League fan and actually helped propel our curiosity on this, went as much as Michael Jordan who was a visitor of ours on the occasion. He talked about that I used to be sitting with Richard Scudamore who ran the Premier League [at that time], and that I used to be making an attempt to get the Premier League for NBC.
“[NBC Sports chairman, at that time] Mark Lazarus and I have been having lunch with Richard Scudamore. And unbenownst to us, Michael came visiting, launched himself to Richard Scudamore, instructed him what a giant fan he was. Richard Scudamore’s eyes popped out of his head.
“The good factor is that Michael Jordan and Richard Scudamore have grow to be associates, they usually see one another at each Ryder Cup.
Along with Michael Jordan serving to land the Premier League deal, so too did late night time present host Seth Meyers
“We have been doing our remaining presentation to the Premier League in New York once we have been going to bid on it in 2012. We have been in a small convention room. And Seth Meyers knocked on the door and got here in.
“We occurred to know that Seth was an enormous West Ham fan. When Seth heard that we have been pitching the Premier League, he mentioned, ‘Do you thoughts if I come by and say whats up?’
“So he got here into the assembly room and, for ten minutes, sat with us. He was clearly his very entertaining enjoyable self with the Premier League people.
“So, we predict that every one these little issues occurred. However what it confirmed is that now we have a broad attain of folks that we have been going to carry collectively to assist showcase and develop the Premier League, and we’ve been in a position to do this.”
Editor’s observe: The schedule for the 2023/24 Premier League season shall be launched on June 15.
Photographs: IMAGO / PCN Pictures and Future Picture
