Call it a reversal of fields of sorts. While the Patriots were in London last week, marching over the Rams at Wembley Stadium and fulfilling their duty in the NFL’s relentless effort to promote the ultimate American sport overseas, a deal was announced stateside that could go a long way toward enhancing the prominence of the sport most of the world regards as the real “football.’’

NBC and the English Premier League announced a three-year, $250 million deal Sunday that makes the network the exclusive rights-holder in the United States to broadcast matches from the world’s top soccer league. The deal takes effect in 2013-14.