Advanced Television

ESPN scores US La Liga rights

May 17, 2021

ESPN and La Liga have signed a long-term agreement that will make ESPN+ the new English- and Spanish-language home for La Liga Santander and La Liga SmartBank in the US for the next eight seasons (through 2028-29).

Beginning in August, hundreds of live matches across both leagues will be available each year, exclusively on ESPN+. ESPN is already the home of Spanish Copa del Rey, Copa de la Reina and Supercopa de España.

Beyond live matches, ESPN+ will offer a variety of surround programming, including match previews, highlights, magazine shows – and will continue to cover La Liga extensively on signature ESPN+ shows including ESPN FC, Jorge Ramos y su Banda and Fuera de Juego.

Select matches will air across ESPN networks each season, with coverage and highlights also available on SportsCenter and other ESPN studio programmes, as well as on ESPN digital and social platforms.

The eight-year LaLiga rights agreement adds to the lineup of football on ESPN+, which currentl  includes Spain’s Copa Del Rey, the German Bundesliga, MLS, England’s FA Cup, EFL and Carabao Cup, Dutch Eredivisie, Scottish Premiership, UEFA National Team Football, USL and more.

“This agreement will bring the excitement, passion, iconic clubs and global superstars of LaLiga to US sports fans with unprecedented access and coverage,” said Burke Magnus, Executive Vice President, Programming & Original Content, ESPN. “As the sport of soccer continues its ascendance in the US 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.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to bring LaLiga to ESPN in the US,” added Javier Tebas, President, LaLiga. “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.”

Added Russell Wolff, Executive Vice President and GM, ESPN+ commented: “This agreement creates a true home for La Liga in the U.S. 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.””

The deal also includes rights for Canada. TSN and RDS will deliver coverage of La Liga matches, highlights, and news to Canadian viewers through multiple platforms, including live streaming on TSN.ca, RDS.ca, and the TSN and RDS apps.

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