ESPN has reaffirmed its position as the UK’s leading provider of continental football by snapping up the rights to screen French Ligue 1 fixtures.
As reported by digitalspy.co.uk, the broadcaster confirmed the acquisition on Wednesday, July 25, after announcing that its contract with the German Bundesliga had been extended for a further three years.
In addition, ESPN deemed it essential to renew its agreements to the Italian Serie A, Dutch Eredivisie and Russian Premier League. Fixtures in these leagues are set to provide Premier League fans with a haven this year, as world-class games cannot always be guaranteed on Sky TV.
As mid-table and bottom-half teams also demand airtime, so called ‘Super Sundays’ thrown up by Sky don’t always live up to their billing. Through ESPN, football fans have another option when planning their screening parties at UK event venues.
Serie A and the Bundesliga have always been able to deliver on the quality front, but teams in Ligue 1 could be set to make an impression in Europe. Paris Saint Germain in particular are sure to provide ESPN subscribers with a fair few spectacles, as world-class signings in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi joined the club over summer for a combined 92 million Euros.
Reigning French champions Montpelier could also throw up yet another surprise in the league, while Juventus will have their eyes firmly focused on reclaiming their title over in Italy.
Picking a new team to support might seem a little extreme though, which is why ESPN has also renewed its partnerships with the FA Cup, Premier League and the UEFA Europa league.
Cited by thedrum.co.uk, ESPN Vice President Jeroen Oerlemans commented: “The addition of France’s Ligue 1 and the renewal of Serie A, Dutch Eredivisie and Russian Premier League means ESPN is home to the very best domestic league football from across Europe.”
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