Rangers FC reveal talks with Fox Soccer Channel in US
Fox Soccer Channel is in discussions with Rangers FC which could see some of the club’s games broadcast in America, having recently signed two US born players.
The club has recently signed national team captain Carlos Bocanegra and midfielder Alejandro Deboya, while Maurice Edu is already at the club.
The club views any potential deal as a lucrative method of growing its brand profile in the US and further afield.
Rangers chief operating officer Ali Russell, commented: "We are in initial discussions about developing a relationship with Fox and we feel there are exciting possibilities.
"There is increased interest in Rangers now that Carlos Bocanegra and Alejandro Bedoya have joined us and we are looking at supplying this new demand.
"We already have a very good following in America and Canada and we aim to build on that.
"There are 52 North American Rangers Supporters Association clubs across the United States and Canada and they all follow our matches on www.rangerstv.tv.
"The members in these clubs are tremendously proactive in promoting Rangers and they are fiercely proud supporters.
"We feel there is an even bigger market to exploit. There remains a very strong Scottish and Scots-Irish heritage across the United States and, of course, Canada.
"Indeed there are estimated to be nearly 25 million Americans who can claim Scottish descent which is over eight per cent of the population.
"In Canada the percentage of people with Scots heritage is even higher. There are more people in Canada with Scottish roots than the population of Scotland with more than five million Canadians with firm ancestry.
"So there is a large market with connections to Scotland but the parameters are wider. We believe that soccer fans in America in particular will now become interested in Rangers due to our contingent of US players.
"Our new media strategy at the club is already indicative of this as thousands of American users are now visiting our official web site www.rangers.co.uk and our new Official Facebook page which is proving to be a runaway success."
The club has also confirmed that it has planned a tour of the US for pre-season next year.