ESPN wins Setanta’s Premiership games

Chris Forrester

Disney-owned ESPN has bought the two packages of (English) Premiership soccer games on offer for this upcoming season. The TV rights were previously held by Setanta. The 46 games are the start of a new business relationship between the League and ESPN. ESPN will also cover 23 games for three years from the 2010-2011 season.

The major news is that this deal represents ESPN's debut entry into mainstream, and front-line, live UK sports.

There's - as yet - no news in what's happened to the bids for Scotland's soccer leagues, which were opened to fresh bids yesterday.

"ESPN have a formidable worldwide reputation and experience in sports and I am sure we will enjoy a long and fruitful relationship with them," said Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore.

"I would like to thank ESPN, as well as all the other broadcasters who submitted bids, for their professionalism and effort in engaging in our sales process at such short notice."

Russell Wolff, MD at ESPN International, said: "This move demonstrates our commitment to British sports fans and our ongoing commitment to delivering football to fans around the world across a variety of media."

Setanta itself said late on June 22 that its board was meeting and a statement would be forthcoming shortly.