FSC Beats Out ESPN for Champions League

NEW YORK: Fox Soccer Channel has beat out ESPN in the bid for the U.S. rights to UEFA Champions League matches, beginning next season.

ESPN, which has aired the Champions League in the U.S. since 1994, yesterday confirmed the switch. "We have been informed by UEFA that they are moving ahead with a new partner in the United States," ESPN is quoted as saying in a statement. "We made a strong bid that we believe would have helped continue the year-to-year growth of the UEFA Champions League in the United States."

FSC’s lineup already includes the Barclays Premier League and Italy’s Serie A, among other tournaments.