ESPN’s seven-year run of carrying all four tennis Grand Slams is over.
Sports Business Journal reported Monday that ESPN will no longer sub-license coverage of the French Open from Tennis Channel. ESPN aired the French Open dating back to 2003, mostly on ESPN2 — first under its own television deal and later under the sub-license.
According to Monday’s report, NBCSN will likely replace ESPN, though talks have not yet begun between NBC Sports and Tennis Channel.
It should be noted that the decision was more akin to ESPN relinquishing rights than losing them. ESPN was reportedly not satisfied with the viewership for the French Open — on par with Mike and Mike in the Morning and well below First Take — or the selection of matches.
Even without the French Open, ESPN remains heavily invested in tennis. The network has start-to-finish coverage of the other three majors, the Australian Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open.
(Mon. news from Sports Business Journal)
