The worldwide leader in sports is increasing its commitment to ‘the world’s game.’
Two separate deals have given ESPN the rights to two major soccer leagues. On Monday, ESPN announced that it has acquired U.K. television rights to the English Premier League. The television package was made available after previous rightsholder Setanta Sports missed a scheduled payment and was subsequently stripped of its rights. ESPN will air Premier League matches in the UK through 2013, including 46 matches through 2010.
ESPN is reportedly “drawing up plans to launch a new channel … to show its Premier League games from next season.” Currently, ESPN has two networks in the U.K. — ESPN Classic and ESPN America.
The deal does not affect U.S. viewers, as EPL rights “are sold separately in each international market.” Fox Soccer Channel currently has U.S. rights to the EPL, but those rights will be up for bid this fall.
Also on Monday, ESPN announced that it will share rights to Spain’s La Liga with Gol TV. ESPN2 will televise 20 La Liga matches, with ESPN Deportes airing at least 95.
The two major deals come months after ESPN lost U.S. rights to the UEFA Champions League to Fox Soccer Channel.
