ESPN wins Premier League rights in Brazil
June 29, 2017
ESPN has won the exclusive rights to broadcast the English Premier League in Brazil for the three seasons 2019/20 to 2021/22.
One season into the current three-year cycle, the new deal will see ESPN Brazil hosting Premier League football on its channels for at least the next five seasons.
Financial terms of the deal have not been revealed, but industry sources estimated ESPN’s current contract, signed in September 2015, to be worth $50 million (€43.9m) per year.
Before acquiring exclusive rights, ESPN shared coverage in Brazil alongside rival broadcaster Fox.
ESPN Brazil is thought to be the third overseas network to secure Premier League broadcast rights until 2022, following SuperSport, which bought the rights in sub-Saharan Africa in April 2017, and NBC, which acqquired the US rights in 2015.
“ESPN has done a fantastic job broadcasting the Premier League in Brazil for the last 15 seasons and we are very pleased they have again chosen to invest in our broadcasting rights,” commented Premier League Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore.
“They have a track record of delivering first-rate production and expert analysis that have driven interest in Premier League clubs, and in the competition. We look forward to working with them for the next five seasons to make the best Premier League action available to football fans across the country.”
“ESPN is extremely proud to announce its new agreement with the Premier League and, by extending the existing agreement, thrilled to be able to bring it to Brazilian fans for the next five years,” declared German Hartenstein, General Manager of ESPN Brazil. “ESPN Brazil began airing Premier League matches 15 years ago and I am sure that, with this new agreement, we will continue to become even stronger, showcasing some of the world’s most competitive football and top stars with best-in-class production and journalistic values.”
Several Brazilian players starred in the 2016/17 Premier League season. David Luiz and Willian helped Chelsea win the title, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino starred for Liverpool, while Gabriel Jesus made a big impact after his debut for Manchester City in January 2017.