ESPN picks up Premier League in America? First game Chelsea/Hull?

[Dear_Claudio]

http://www.epltalk.com/espn-adds-premier-league-to-soccer-line-up

I apologize if this is a hoax since it is so unexpected, but the source seems fairly legitimate. Struggling to find further info atm, however.

[Bruckner283]

First game: Chelsea v Hull

http://www.epltalk.com/espn-adds-premier-league-to-soccer-line-up/9899#more-9899

I apologize if this is a hoax since it is so unexpected, but the source seems fairly legitimate. Struggling to find further info atm, however.

Not quite sure what to make of this. While I will enjoy watching the games on my tv as opposed to my computer but if I have to suffer through Alexi Lalas or Tommy Smyth I would almost prefer to watch it on my computer. Granted there is always the mute button but if ESPN were smart they would just bring over old Setana people to comment on the games. We will see.

[Dear_Claudio]

I'm trying to lock/delete this thread since I cannot find any other source for this. As for the commentator thing, I think ESPN would do their own studio full of clowns for pre/HT/post game coverage but would simply use UK-based commentators.

[Kazuma]

If true, awesome.

Only problem I can see is how they'll schedule things for college football.

[Dear_Claudio]

If true, awesome.

Only problem I can see is how they'll schedule things for college football.
Beginning on August 15, 2009, each week ESPN will feature the 7:45am ET Saturday game and the 3pm ET Monday game.

There is no college football at either of those times. ESPN should worry a lot more about La Liga as anything on Sunday will get blown away by the billion pound gorilla NFL.

[Ben7021]

Would be nice if true, even though I know a lot here don't like ESPN. Basic cable is my only option at school, and TV is better than stream any day. I know Smyth and the rest of the crew are poor, but I turn down the volume on Chinese commentators anyways.

[Portugeezer!]

The main thing for me would be HD. The picture quality on Setanta and Fox Soccer is bad imo, especially on a 50" tv

[Dear_Claudio]

These games are the same times that ESPN picked up in the UK. Their UK broadcasts will be in HD. Therefore, I can only assume it will be ESPN's UK feed coming to the States, hence it would be in HD and have quality like Ray Stubbs rather than the trash we've been forced into listening to. I must wonder why ESPN didn't start to monopolize footie in the US by keeping hold of the Champions League rights. Imagine that plus EPL, La Liga and Bundesliga:eek:They also have Serie A in the UK so that may be following in the next year or two over here:)

[Portugeezer!]

I must wonder why ESPN didn't start to monopolize footie in the US by keeping hold of the Champions League rights. Imagine that plus EPL, La Liga and Bundesliga:eek:They also have Serie A in the UK so that may be following in the next year or two over here:)

Good point, perhaps they didnt expect to be outbid by Fox, or they thought about buying out setanta us, or they sacrificed the CL rights to make a huge bid for the EPL US rights when it goes up for bid? Who knows?

But you have to think that with the EPL deal, the La Liga deal and Bundesliga, that this will lead to ESPN finally creating a soccer/football channel?

[Dear_Claudio]

Probably a year away from something like that. This experiment will need to work and they'll have to secure full rights for the PL for that to work. Also, does anyone know long FSC has the CL for? I've been a long time supporter of FSC and the channel really got me into the game back when it was Fox Sports World, but I would much prefer ESPN to have as much as possible because I only have basic cable at school and ESPN360 is amazing if the right things are on it (such as Newcastle/WBA this weekend:)).

[Blue Celery]

Espn footy will happen.

[Andy Fox]

I love ESPN already. They've pretty much doubled the football available to watch in the UK and they've only been running a matter of days.

Premiership
SPL
Serie A NEW
Bundesliga
Eredivisie NEW
Portuguese Liga NEW
Russian Premier League NEW
MLS NEW

As well as continuing the NCAA football. Super stuff.

[slipereypete]

The levy has really, truly broken with regards to soccer and this country, good stuff.

[Portugeezer!]

Probably a year away from something like that. This experiment will need to work and they'll have to secure full rights for the PL for that to work. Also, does anyone know long FSC has the CL for? I've been a long time supporter of FSC and the channel really got me into the game back when it was Fox Sports World, but I would much prefer ESPN to have as much as possible because I only have basic cable at school and ESPN360 is amazing if the right things are on it (such as Newcastle/WBA this weekend:)).

Right. The US Premiere League TV rights go up for auction at the end of the summer supposedly. These are the rights for the start of the 2010-2011 season. I think if ESPN gets those rights, then that would most likely green lights a soccer channel for the start of next season.

I believe the FSC CL rights is for 3 years

[hudson hooligan]

I'm still probably more likely to go to the pub early in the morning for Chelsea's fixtures anyway, whether they're being aired on ESPN or not.

The idea's still nice, though. Should there come a morning when I'm too tired or lazy to get out of my house, ESPN will suffice.

[yasik19]

This would be really really good.

[ComeOnChelsea]

This would be good! I hope they use the UK announcers because it just has a better feel to it

The walls are breaking down in USA for sure.

I think one day people are going to realize that a running back slamming into the line for a 2 yard gain and then 60 seconds expiring before the next play can become rather boring.

[ElSpruceMoose]

This would be good! I hope they use the UK announcers because it just has a better feel to it

The walls are breaking down in USA for sure.

I think one day people are going to realize that a running back slamming into the line for a 2 yard gain and then 60 seconds expiring before the next play can become rather boring.I disagree that people will decide American football is boring, but I do think more people will decide that other codes of football are enjoyable as well.

America is a multi-sport nation. If a person watches one sport, chances are they watch another as well. We're beginning to see the evolution of a casual soccer fan in America, something that is drastically needed if this sport is to "get big" here.

[Ben7021]

I think that's selling football a little short, but the TV breaks have really damaged the game.

I actually think MLS is on the rise mroe than European soccer. While trying to get a fantasy league going with my friends over half the people I asked said they only follow MLS really and don't know much about the EPL. MLS really is getting bigger, and I think getting European rights will really help both grow.

[Portugeezer!]

I think that's selling football a little short, but the TV breaks have really damaged the game.


One of my other favorite sports has always been hockey. I used to play street and floor hockey with friends growing up. I supported the Boston Bruins, about 10 years ago I started to drift away from the sport. I would watch it here and there. But the last couple of years I have barely watched any games. This past season during the playoffs I tried to watch some Bruins games. My cousin is a die hard fan, kept trying getting me back into it. I tried to watch a game, I changed the channel after about 25 minutes, couldnt bare the commercial breaks. When all I pretty much watch for sports is football/soccer, trying to watch a sport like hockey with commercial breaks, it was torture. Anyone else feel this way?