NESN Named Ninth Most Valuable Sports Business in the World

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 — NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, has been named the ninth most valuable sports business brand in the world by Forbes. NESN joined a top-10 list that also included such global brands as Nike and ESPN.

“This designation validates our strategy of investing in technology, content and talent — a strategy that is enabled by the support of our owners, Fenway Sports Group and Delaware North,” said NESN president & CEO Sean McGrail. “The end result is an amazing fan experience that drives network ratings and enhances our brand.”

Specifically, McGrail said the growth in NESN’s brand value has come from strategic investments in:

• A state-of-the-art facility that has propelled NESN to become the first regional sports network in the country (RSN) to provide all content in High Definition.
• Digital and mobile capabilities. These investments have allowed NESN.com to become one of the most visited RSN websites in the country, attract more Facebook fans and Twitter followers than any other RSN, and integrate social media into Red Sox and Bruins telecasts, enhancing the fan experience.
• On-air talent that includes nationally recognized broadcasters and iconic names from professional sports.
• Programming. NESN has secured the rights to carry all regional Red Sox and Bruins games, as well as every major New England collegiate event, and created original content through Original NESN Entertainment, or ONE.

As a result of these investments, Red Sox and Bruins broadcasts have record ratings, and NESN has had among the highest average primetime ratings of any RSN in the country over the past decade, McGrail said.

Forbes’ list of the top-10 sports business brands includes such brands as Nike, ESPN, Adidas, Under Armour and Reebok. Forbes also ranked the top-10 brands among athletes, teams and events, and they include such brands as Tiger Woods, David Beckham, the Super Bowl and the Olympics. The full story can be found at www.onforb.es/QlfywG

About NESN
NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 4.4 million homes nationally as NESN National. NESN.com, the network’s online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins).