A couple of minutes with Sports Leyend Andrés Cantor.

We caught up with Andrés Cantor the Chairman of Fútbol de Primera Radio after his announcement of his company’s Radio rights for the World Cup till 2022.

HispanicAd – What does it mean for FDP Radio to renew the most coveted rights in the media world?

Andrés Cantor -First, a whole lot of pride. We first acquired the exclusive radio rights for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and now have them through 2022. That is two decades of being associated with the most important tournament in the world, and the most thought after for everyone, players, coaches, big media companies, advertisers, etc. I believe FIFA has realized what FDP has done throughout the years for soccer in America and decided to renew the rights to our company because of our reach, credibility and track record.

HispanicAd – What is the secret of your company’s success which has been able to maintain these rights for twenty years?

Andrés Cantor – Credibility, having a name in the world of soccer, having the best lineup of radio affiliates, the best on air personalities and treating the game and its marquis event with the outmost respect.

HispanicAd – We understand that you have been able to clear the World Cup on 40+ FM stations within your line up. How and when did this happen?

Andrés Cantor -The trend started in 2006 and exploded in 2010. I believe GM’s realized that the most important properties needed to be showcased in the most important stations in each market. And they realized that not only for the World Cup but for our other properties as well like the Mexican National Team games, World Cup Qualifying, etc. I believe everyone knows by now the significance and impact of these properties and are airing them where they belong.

HispanicAd – How has your sales effort been in the previous World Cups and what expectations do you have for Brazil in 2014.

Andrés Cantor – We have done extremely well in Germany and South Africa where we were came units short of being sold out. We had had strong years in between as well and look to having a record sales year in 2012 and 2013, during World Cup Qualifying and the FIFA’s Confederations Cup in the summer of 2013 whit Mexico, Brazil, Spain, etc. I have no doubt that we will sell out for the World Cup and we will do it sooner than any other WC year. There will be a lot, I mean a lot of excitement for the World Cup in Brazil, the time of the games are the best for radio, and everyone will want to be a part of it. It is going to be a huge success.

HispanicAd – The announcement last week was a win-win situation for you personally, not only because of the radio rights but because of Telemundo securing them for TV as well…You will have your plate full by 2018..?

Andrés Cantor – It was a very happy moment indeed and I was glad to have been there to witness it all first hand. Unless my FDP Radio business partner Alex Gutman fires me, I know where I will be in 2018. Kidding aside, we have plenty of time to figure out how my radio and TV work will coexist. I’m glad to be in Telemundo’s plans for 2018 and 2022 which will be mark my ninth World Cup coverage in the US in radio and TV and my 10th overall. We have a lot of exciting years ahead and I plan on enjoying every single one.

Goooooooooool!