AFL, CBS SPORTS NETWORK SIGN TWO-YEAR TELEVISION AGREEMENT

CHICAGO – CBS Sports Network and the Arena Football League announced a two-year agreement today that makes the Network the national television partner of the AFL. CBS Sports Network will feature 19 regular-season games throughout the 2013 season, as well as two playoff games. The CBS Television Network will air ArenaBowl XXVI on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

As part of the deal, CBS Sports Network will televise the League’s Saturday night game of the week in prime time. The national package kicks off March 23, 2013. The announcement of the complete CBS Sports Network AFL television schedule will be released at a later date.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have the CBS Sports brand associated with the AFL and to have the growing CBS Sports Network as the new television home of our League,” Arena Football League Commissioner Jerry Kurz said. “One of the many noteworthy aspects of this partnership is that we will have an increased ability to showcase our West Coast teams.  In addition, closing the season with ArenaBowl XXVI on CBS is something that our millions of fans can look forward to with great anticipation.”

“We’re excited to partner with the AFL and bring this fast-paced, high-energy style of football to viewers,” said Dan Weinberg, Senior Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports Network. “The AFL has an established fan base and adds to our already robust lineup of football programming.”

CBS Sports Network is available across the country to more than 99 million households through local cable, video and telco providers, and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 613 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, and to access the CBS Sports Network channel finder, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.

About CBS Sports Network

CBS Sports Network is the 24-hour cable home of CBS Sports. The Network covers over 350 live games annually, showcasing more than 30 men’s and women’s sports, in addition to a variety of studio shows, documentaries and original programs. CBSSN’s live programming is highlighted by college sports and also features professional lacrosse, Professional Bull Riding (PBR), the sports news and commentary shows ROME and Lead Off, the weekly studio show NFL Monday QB and the Tim Brando Show.

About the AFL

Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased their fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. CBS Sports Network will broadcast an AFL National Game of the Week on Saturday nights for the entire regular season and post season through the semifinal round. ArenaBowl XXVI will air on the CBS Television Network in August.