ESPN Takes U.S. Rights to Euro Football Championship

BRISTOL: ESPN has reached a deal with UEFA for the multiplatform rights to the 2012 and 2016 European Football Championship (EURO) in the U.S., after having served as the broadcast home for the tournament in 2008.

English-language coverage will be carried on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3.com, ESPN Radio, ESPN Authenticated Services, ESPN Mobile TV, ESPN.com and ESPNSoccernet.com. ESPN Deportes will be the exclusive Spanish-language television network in the United States for both championships. In addition, in-progress and post-match highlights can be featured across key ESPN outlets. ESPN has also acquired the rights for a variety of UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying matches which began in September 2010, and will continue through November 2011.

“ESPN is committed to serving soccer fans with live coverage of the sport’s top events from around the world," said Scott Guglielmino, ESPN’s senior VP of programming and X Games. "We are especially pleased to extend our relationship with UEFA and continue to help build the UEFA European Football Championship brand in the U.S. The successful 2008 tournament proved this is a must-see event, and our ability to deliver EURO live across our services will ensure that fans can access this unique event wherever and whenever they choose.”

“The UEFA European Football Championship is widely considered the most prestigious tournament in the world,” added Eric Conrad, senior director of programming and acquisitions for ESPN Deportes. “Our strong ratings and comprehensive coverage delivered across ESPN platforms during the 2008 tournament proves the interest and passion fans have for this property, and we are thrilled to bring back all the action live to Hispanic soccer fans throughout the U.S.”

Guy-Laurent Epstein, marketing director of UEFA Events SA, added: "Following a very successful experience with UEFA EURO 2008, we are extremely pleased to extend our partnership for UEFA EURO with ESPN for the next two tournaments in the United States of America. With interest in football growing significantly in America, ESPN will no doubt provide great visibility for UEFA’s national team competitions through their promotional and programming capacity. These long-term partnerships demonstrate the strength of the EURO as a global property, and working with ESPN, we are committed to further enhancing it in the future.”