Re: ESPN Zone? ESPN pay big bucks for the CL and then show one frickin' match a week. And since they have exclusive rights to broadcasts int he US, then you're not going to find it anywhere else. I don't know why they don't offer a pay-per-view package or something or at least sell the other matches at a reasonable price to bars and such. Everyone in the US should let UEFA know how bad this sucks, so maybe they don't give them the rights next time.
Re: Re: ESPN Zone? Do you honestly think UEFA cares about anything more than the dollar signs here, folks?
Does Uefa care about fans in the US? Hell NO! Why should they? Its ESPN thats the problem. Unfortunately my tirade on the phone with Chris, the helpful ESPN operator, didnt do any good. He was nice though and should be commended for putting up with me.
What about us? Should we be commended for putting up with you, too? Heh. Regarding Champions League TV, it looks like we're out of luck for this calendar year. The One Who Shall Not Be Named (OK, it's soccertv) says that the ESPN folks, who are contractually obligated to carry only 17 CL matches, are only carrying Tuesday matches on Matchdays 1-8 (now until the end of the year), then they'll decide in 2003 whether to increase the number of games. Also, Italian and Spanish teams get preferential coverage (hence Real/Roma on day 1 and DLC/AC Milan on day 2). Let's be honest, it's not like we're in this glamorous group or anything. The neutral fan would probably much rather watch the two games mentioned above than any of our first group phase matches.
If you want to voice a complaint, I would try the G-14, the powerful Euro club lobbying group. They want to make money for the clubs, the best way to do that is thru exposure. They need to know that the American media partner, ESPN, is screwing them. Try: Geneviève Berti, Communication Manager (geneviève.berti@g14clubs.com) Direct Line : +32 2 541 14 18
My local soccer bar says its showing the Dortmund game live today... I don't know how, in fact I doubt it will be via ESPN, but there is apparantly a way to get it via one of their dishes... so call your local soccer bar owner and just make sure, that there isn't some way of putting it on.. If not meet me at summers restaurant on Wilson Blvd in Arlington VA just outside Wash. DC.
ESPN International will have the feed for the game. If your local can get ESPN International, then you can watch the game. However, getting this feed usually means a satellite system descrambler from outside the US.
It would be pretty ballsy for a pub to have the match. I'd imagine they'd like to be able to keep their licenses to sell alcohol and such.
Why would their alcohol license be in jeapardy? In DC the ABC Board (the alcohol people) could care less about what sports are shown at various locations. The only thing they care about is if they get their fees and if bars are becoming a public nuisance. The ones who care are the TV companies that feel they are losing revenues...