here is the schedule of the matches that ESPN2 will carry wed april 9th juve-barca 2:45 pm et tue apr 22th barca-juve 2:45 pm et espn2 will not carry either leg of the real madrid-man utd qf matches the semi-final schedule is like this: tue may 6th sf 1 2:45 pm et tue may 13th sf 2 2:45 pm et
Why are they showing a game on a Wednesday (April 9th) instead of on a Tuesday like they have all year?
on april 8th espn2 is showing 02:00 pm 03:00 pm 2003 POWERADE JAM FEST at CLEVELAND, OH, USA 03:00 pm 05:00 pm NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE FINALS, GAME #1
Just one little thing. These silly gimmicks must have come at a minimal cost, which is leaps and bounds more cheaper than the rights fee of an additional CL game. Since Setanta is bound to acquire the rights of Man U games. The two legs of Man U x Real Madrid should be available in close circuit.
And no JOB for AC Milan v Ajax, that sucks!!! The US audience should be allowed to see the first American to play at this stage of the CL. (I know Kirovski was on the winners Dortmund, did not appear in a match in this stage in the competition.) James
Why can't they show the Real-ManU matches? I can see them not showing both, but why not let us see at least one of the legs? A match like this would do a lot better than Barca-Juve, in my opinion.
Ideally, ESPN should show Real- ManU, for one reason, more people would watch it. However, with the restrictive programming slots and other problems, once they have picked a match it is more than likely to remain that way.
well, i was looking forward to seeing EITHER Ajax and JOB v. Milan OR ManU v. Real. but no. neither. alas, as great as things have become for the American soccer fan, there is a still a ways to go...
I was hoping they'd show one from Man U-Real and one from Juve-Barca, but whatever. As long as they show all semifinal matches I will be happy. Isnt this the last year for ESPN2 and the CL?
The type of audience for Champions League, in my guess, aren't even on ESPN's radar screen. It's probably not even as good as an MLS telecast. In other words, the ratings between a Man U x Real Madrid and Juventus x Barcelona would be miniscule. Yet there is another carrier willing to pay a premium to get Man U. Why doesn't anyone remember Setanta subleting the English clubs' CL games? With Arsenal and Newcastle both dead, the only inventory Setanta can get are Man U games. I don't think scheduling has anything to do with it. ESPN can accomodate NCAA tournament games in a couple day's notice (once Bush gave Saddam 48 hours to leave, thus CBS can't carry the games). If CL has the same appeal as NCAA tournament, you'll see ESPN schedule them on a 2-day notice. Restrictive programming? don't kid yourself. Why does ESPN2 show the first leg on a Wednesday and the 2nd leg on a Tuesday? because they would rather let Setanta get the Man U games. I suspect Setanta is paying extra $$$ to get both games. They can essentially ask the bars to pay a king's ransom. That's why. The point is, anyone living in a big city who wants to watch Man U x Real Madrid can watch it. You probably have to pay cover charge plus food and drinks. It was $20 four years ago for the England/Scotland Euro 2000 playoffs. And the places were packed. I think people will pay even $30 for Man U/Real.
This sucks, the matchup most soccer fans were looking forward to won't be seen. During the 1999 CL, the quarterfinal games between ManU and Real were epic. Who can forget Redondo's playmaking that led to an easy goal by Raul. And to show two legs with the same teams? C'mon ESPN, you can do better!!!
this is true. from soccertv.com: According to several sources, if ESPN International is able to secure the US TV rights to the UEFA Champions League for the 2003-2004 season, ESPN Deportes will air AT LEAST 4 UEFA Champions League matches on each match day from Match Day 1 through the quarterfinal round, with doubleheaders on match Tuesdays and Wednesday usually at 2:30pm Eastern Time. ESPN Deportes is expected to also air both legs of both UEFA Champions League semifinal series and the final. but after that last Man U game on espn2, they almost really do owe us a game with Man U's starters. last time they were on, i only recognized one of their players. (played a lot of youth, since they had already qualified).
The one who shan't be named has said the QF series that will be shown has been switched to ManU-Real Madrid.
When did Lord Voldemort say that? Seriously though, it would be nice if they showed one of the legs of Barça-Juve and ManU-Real, but then again, any of the matchups will be good viewing, I'm just hoping for some variety since we won't be able to see all 8 matches via ESPN.
THakn god they switched it. I don't like watching Juve or Barca. Only if they showed inter vs. valencia!
Well, as much as we like Real Madrid and Man U, Barcelona and Juventus are two of the hottest teams in the Champions league right now. Certainly Barca is. But if anything, it will be great to watch any match they have on.
Yeah, it seems that they switched it so that now they are showing both legs of Real-ManU...will they dare change it again? I gotta make plans sometime...I wish I knew whether I am gonna have to go to a bar or not!