Fox to show Supercross live on its main network

Motocross’ television coverage roughly 20 years ago typically came a week after the race, unless a local station came out to the track to do a story.

About 10 years ago, the sport came a little closer to TV relevance when the races were shown on a one-day delay, then took a huge step in 2013 when competition went on live TV.

The evolution of motocross makes a mammoth move today, when the Supercross race in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will be carried on Fox (noon, Fox 28), the first time the sport will be shown live on a major network.

“It’s been a long history of us trying to steer the direction of Supercross to get here,” said Ken Hudgens, COO of Feld Motor Sports, which operates Supercross. “The idea was always television was such an important part of growing Supercross. To be live on a Saturday afternoon on big Fox is kind of a seminal moment.”

Today’s race is a big step, with Fox having the confidence in the sport to show the race live on its main network.

“The new deal is huge because it puts the sport of Supercross next to your typical stick-and-ball sports,” Hudgens said. “Just to be positioned with other ‘major sports’ and have that exposure to their fan base where they might not be as familiar with Supercross, it gives us a chance to promote and have Supercross exposed to that audience.”