NBC Sports Locks Up PREAKNESS STAKES Coverage in Long-Term Agreement

NBC Sports Group and the Maryland Jockey Club have reached a long-term agreement extending NBC Sports Group's exclusive rights to the Preakness Stakes, it was announced today.

The long-term renewal extends the partnership for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, which began in 2001. The extension includes multiplatform rights to the Preakness Stakes, undercard on Preakness Saturday, and Black-Eyed Susan during Preakness week, which will be televised on NBC and NBCSN and featured on NBC's digital platforms.

NBC Sports Group now has exclusive, long-term media agreements for all of the Triple Crown races - Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.

NBC Sports International will continue to distribute NBC's coverage of the Preakness Stakes globally through the term of the deal. NBC Sports Radio will broadcast the Preakness Stakes through the term of the deal as well.

"We are excited to extend our partnership with the Maryland Jockey Club for the Preakness Stakes," said NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus. "The second jewel of the Triple Crown is integral to our Championship Season, and now gives us long-term agreements with all of the Triple Crown races. This extension is a testament to the strength of the relationship between the Maryland Jockey Club and NBC Sports Group, and underscores NBC's commitment to the sport of horse racing."

"The Stronach Group is delighted to continue its long relationship with the NBC Sports Group," said Alon Ossip, Chief Executive Officer of The Stronach Group, parent company of the Maryland Jockey Club. "This long-term agreement will allow us to build the Preakness, Black-Eyed Susan, Pimlico Special and Preakness week activities through multiple channels to reach a wider audience. The Stronach Group is committed to growing the sport of Thoroughbred racing, and we believe our relationship with NBC is another step in that direction."

"We are thrilled to continue our relationship as the TV home of the Preakness Stakes," said Jon Miller, President of Programming for NBC Sports and NBCSN. "Coming to this agreement was a rewarding process from start to finish. We look forward to working with our partners with the Maryland Jockey Club and The Stronach Group for years to come."

The 2015 Preakness Stakes on NBC, featuring American Pharoah's victory enroute to the first Triple Crown in 37 years, averaged 8.9 million viewers - the seventh consecutive year the Preakness topped eight million viewers. In 12 of the 15 years it has been on NBC, the Preakness Stakes has been the most-watched sporting event of the weekend it was contested.

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP

When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January 2011, the sports assets of the two companies combined to form NBC Sports Group, which serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of a unique array of sports assets, including NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN (NBC Sports Network), Golf Channel, 10 NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Radio and NBC Sports Digital. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic Committee, the NFL, NHL, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, Royal & Ancient, Churchill Downs, NYRA, Premier League, Tour de France, French Open, Formula One, INDYCAR and many more.

ABOUT THE STRONACH GROUP

The Stronach Group is North America's leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.

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