NBC reportedly retains rights to Preakness Stakes after ‘hard-fought bidding war’

Recent coverage from outlets including Front Office Sports, Awful Announcing, and thoroughbreddailynews.com details developments surrounding the Preakness Stakes media rights. According to the reports, NBC has successfully retained the broadcasting rights to the race after a hard-fought bidding war against competing interests. Simultaneously, related reports from sources such as CBS News, WTOP, WBAL News Radio, and WBAL-TV focus on Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Coverage indicates that Governor Moore is scheduled to reveal the date for next year's Preakness Stakes on Wednesday, an announcement that will set the official 2027 Triple Crown schedule. The reporting places significant emphasis on the intersection of media rights negotiations and regional governance developments.

Front Office Sports and Awful Announcing specifically highlight the competitive nature of the bidding process that led to NBC maintaining its broadcasting position. Meanwhile, WBAL-TV and WBAL News Radio direct attention toward Governor Moore, who has reportedly doubled down on the Preakness deal amidst broader uncertainties surrounding the race. This local coverage also points out that Pimlico has been excluded from a new race series, a detail that prompted discussion from the governor according to WBAL News Radio. This unfolding situation arrives at a critical juncture for horse racing scheduling and broadcasting partnerships. The establishment of the 2027 Triple Crown schedule depends directly on the upcoming date reveal for the Preakness Stakes by state leadership in Maryland.

Furthermore, the retention of media rights by NBC ensures continuity in the television coverage of the historic race, even as regional stakeholders navigate changes regarding venue utilization and race series participation, such as the aforementioned exclusion of Pimlico from a new racing format. Observers and stakeholders are now watching for the official Wednesday announcement from Governor Wes Moore to clarify the 2027 calendar. Coverage does not yet specify the full financial terms of the NBC media rights agreement or the exact details of the upcoming race series. Future updates are expected to confirm the precise dates for the Triple Crown events and provide further clarity on Governor Moore's discussions regarding the future of the Preakness Stakes within Maryland.