ESPN has entered into a long-term agreement with LaLiga that will make ESPN+ the new English and Spanish-language home for LaLiga Santander and LaLiga SmartBank in US for the next eight seasons.
Beginning thus August, hundreds of live matches across both leagues will be available each year, exclusively on ESPN+, which already shows the home of Spanish Copa del Rey, Copa de la Reina and Supercopa de España.
Commenting on the agreement, Burke Magnus, executive VP, programming & original content, ESPN, said: “This agreement will bring the excitement, passion, iconic clubs and global superstars of LaLiga to U.S. sports fans with unprecedented access and coverage.
“As the sport of soccer continues its ascendance in the U.S. market, we are incredibly excited to work with LaLiga to establish a deeper connection to American fans through our company’s industry-leading streaming platforms, television networks, and digital and social media assets”.
Javier Tebas, president, LaLiga, added: We are absolutely thrilled to bring LaLiga to ESPN in the US.
“This is an historic eight-season agreement in US soccer broadcasting that speaks to the power of LaLiga and its clubs in the largest media market in the world and will bring the world’s best soccer league to American screens in a more comprehensive and modern way than ever before”.
Russell Wolff, executive VP and GM, ESPN+, said: “This agreement creates a true home for LaLiga in the US for years to come and cements ESPN+ as the premier platform for soccer. We’re excited to showcase the brilliance of LaLiga in our English and Spanish coverage for the growing legion of soccer fans and ESPN+ subscribers”.
Boris Gartner, CEO North America, LaLiga, added: “Partnering with ESPN will allow us to have unique LaLiga programming across ESPN+ and ESPN’s network and digital platforms, super-serving existing fans and introducing new consumers to the drama and passion of LaLiga. The league, clubs, and players will be as close to the American fans as they’ve ever been at a time where soccer is growing leaps and bounds in the US”.
The deal also includes rights for Canada. TSN and RDS, Canada’s leading sports networks, will deliver comprehensive coverage of LaLiga, including live streaming on TSN.ca, RDS.ca, and the TSN and RDS apps.
