Sports partnership dramatically expands the digital reach of NBC Sports around the biggest sporting events.

ENGADGET: NBC Sports and Yahoo Sports cut a deal to fuse internet, TV coverage

But it has quickly established itself as one of the biggest sporting events of the year.

BBC: State of Origin

In determining which Saturday to choose in September, Ms Gillard also admitted that avoiding a clash with the Aussie rules grand final in Melbourne, one of the biggest sporting events of the year, was a major consideration, reports the BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney.

BBC: Gillard sets Australia poll date of 14 September

Today is the Kentucky Derby, one of the biggest annual sporting events in the nation.

FORBES: 100th Birthday Party for Indy 500, and You're Invited!

With the help of my friends at MGM Resorts International, which owns most of the highest profile Vegas casino resorts, including the Bellagio, Aria, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, MGM Grand, Monte Carlo, New York New York, Luxor, Excalibur and Circus Circus, I put together a Top 10 list of the biggest and best sporting events worth traveling to Vegas for.

FORBES: 10 Best Las Vegas Sports Events - And Where To Watch Them

Five of the 15 spots on our inaugural list of the sporting events with the biggest prize money are occupied by soccer tournaments.

FORBES: The Richest Sporting Events In The World

Since 2008 more than 30 favelas in Rio have been "pacified" in the government campaign to improve public security before it hosts the world's two biggest sporting events.

BBC: Brazil troops move into Rio airport shanty towns

The biggest drivers of viewership are breaking news and sporting events, both which are driven by immediacy and ease of access.

FORBES: Connect