Good news, American CFL fans: NBCSN will air 17 Canadian Football League games in 2013, the CFL announced Friday.
NBCSN’s CFL coverage begins next Thursday, when the Winnipeg BlueBombers host the Montreal Alouettes in the league’s regular-season opener.
“We are excited to be partnering again with the CFL, and to present its fast-paced and tradition-rich brand of football on NBC Sports Network,” Mike Perman, Vice President, Programming, NBC Sports Group, said in a story posted on the CFL’s website.
The Toronto Argonauts, the defending Grey Cup champions, will have five regular-season games shown on NBCSN.
The CFL has been a jumping-off point for numerous NFL players over the years, with Dolphins pass rusher Cameron Wake the most prominent recent example. Also, new Bears head coach Marc Trestman comes off a successful stint as Montreal’s coach.
CFL on NBCSN broadcast schedule (all times Eastern):
Thursday, June 27: Montreal at Winnipeg, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, June 30: B.C. at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, August 2: Hamilton at Edmonton, 9 p.m.
Monday, August 5: Winnipeg at B.C., 7 p.m.
Friday, August 9: Saskatchewan at Calgary, 9 p.m.
Thursday, August 22: B.C. at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, September 2: Edmonton at Calgary, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, September 3: Montreal at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 6: Calgary at Edmonton, 9 p.m.
Friday, September 27: B.C. at Winnipeg, 10:30 p.m.
Monday, October 14: Toronto at Hamilton (shown at midnight on October 16).
Friday, October 18: Calgary at Edmonton (shown at midnight on October 19).
Thursday, October 24: Winnipeg at Toronto, 7:30 p.m,
Friday, November 1: Montreal at Toronto (shown at midnight on November 2).
Sunday, November 17: Eastern Final, 11 p.m.
Sunday, November 17: Western Final, (shown at midnight on November 19).
Sunday, November 24: 101st Grey Cup, 6:30 p.m.