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Networks That Bet Heavily on NFL Celebrate End of Lockout

Jul 26, 2011  •  Post A Comment

The agreement announced Monday between the NFL and its players was good news for the television networks that have billions of dollars invested in the league’s games, B&C reports.

A few details remain to be worked out to finalize the deal, but the league is getting back to work, and the first preseason games are scheduled to be televised Aug. 11.

NBC, CBS and ESPN were among those celebrating.

In a statement, Mark Lazarus, chairman of the NBC Sports Group, said: "We are excited to get back to football. From NFL Kickoff to Super Bowl XLVI, each and every week ‘Sunday Night Football’ will feature strong rivalries and compelling matchups."

CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus added: "We were always confident that the league and the union would figure out how not to miss games. But this is obviously a relief and it’s an important property to both CBS Sports and the corporation, so it’s a very satisfying day for us.”

ESPN echoed those sentiments in a statement: "We are pleased the players and clubs have reached agreement and we look forward to continuing ESPN’s comprehensive coverage of the NFL as the teams and players return to the field."

The NFL’s regular season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 8, with NBC broadcasting a matchup of the two most recent champions, the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints.

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