ESPN Increases Spanish Soccer Coverage

BRISTOL: ESPN has picked up the multimedia rights to Spain’s Copa del Rey Final and the Spanish Supercopa, with coverage of the soccer events to be presented across ESPN Deportes, ESPN Deportes Radio and ESPN3.com.

The Copa del Rey Final, to air on April 20 at 3:30 p.m., is a match up between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Estadio Mestalla in Valencia, Spain, in what will be the third Clasico of this year’s Spanish soccer season. The Supercopa this August kicks off the official soccer season in Spain. Comprised of both a home and away match, the Supercopa brings together the champions of the Spanish League and the Copa del Rey final.

ESPN will continue offering extensive live coverage of Spain’s La Liga. Prior to the Copa del Rey final, ESPN will also present live coverage of the second Clasico of La Liga 2010-11 on April 17. The addition of the Copa del Rey final and Supercopa join a regular schedule of weekday matches of La Liga.

 “We are thrilled to continue serving our soccer fans with top events from around the world,” said Eric Conrad, the senior director of programming and acquisitions for ESPN Deportes. “With the Copa del Rey final adding a third Clasico this season, and a close, competitive season of La Liga that promises an exciting Supercopa, the timing is great to include these premier properties to the ESPN soccer programming lineup.”