Jump to content

List of ESPN sports broadcasting rights

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Top to bottom: Logos for ESPN, ESPN on ABC, and ESPN+

American cable sports channel ESPN has held numerous broadcasting rights for live and tape-delayed sporting events across many different sports in various levels of competition. ESPN was first launched in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen as a 24-hour national sports network dedicated to live sports and highlights.[1]

In 1984, the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) purchased ESPN from Rasmussen and Getty Oil.[2] Initially, ABC Sports and ESPN operated as separate entities. However, ESPN started to integrate into ABC Sports once The Walt Disney Company purchased Capital Cities/ABC in 1996. During this time, ESPN and ABC began to jointly bid on sports broadcasting rights with ESPN airing and producing games for ABC under a time-buy agreement. This integration was fully completed in August 2006, when ABC fully adopted ESPN's production staff, music, graphics, and broadcast rights. ESPN sports broadcasts that air on ABC now air under the branding ESPN on ABC.[3][4]

As ESPN has acquired more sports rights, it has launched more linear channels and outlets to help broadcast sports. ESPN launched ESPN2 in 1993 initially as a youthful alternative to ESPN, but now serves as a secondary general sports channel to the main ESPN network.[5] ESPNews was founded in 1996, serving as an overflow feed with limited live sports. ESPNU was launched in 2005 as a channel focused on college athletics with select ancillary general sports programming.[6] Both the SEC Network and ACC Network were launched by ESPN as specialty channels for Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) sports, respectively.[7][8] ESPN also offers Spanish-language sports broadcasts through ESPN Deportes.[9]

ESPN also broadcasts sports on online streaming platforms. ESPN3 previously served as the main streaming provider of ESPN games, which included exclusive programming and ancillary content.[10] ESPN later launched its own over-the-top subscription streaming service named ESPN+ in 2018, which saw much of ESPN3's content moved to ESPN+ along with its own games exclusive to the service.[11][12] ESPN+ also streams some ESPN on ABC telecasts. Both the SEC Network and ACC Network have online streaming components to their networks in SEC Network+ (SECN+) and ACC Network Extra (ACCNX), respectively.

Current rights

[edit]

Professional sports

[edit]
Sport League / Governing Body Program / Competition Network(s) Release Notes Ref(s)
American football National Football League (NFL) Monday Night Football ABC
ESPN
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
2006–present ESPN exclusive from 2006 to 2019.
  • Select Monday nights simulcast on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+ since 2020.
  • Saturday Week 18 doubleheader broadcast since 2021.
  • Select Monday nights presented as doubleheaders with two separate games airing on ESPN and ABC simultaneously since 2022.
  • One game per season streamed exclusively on ESPN+ since 2022.
[13][14]
[15][16]
[17]
Manningcast ESPN2
ESPN+
2021–present Co-produced with Omaha Productions [18]
Pro Bowl ABC
ESPN
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
19881994,
20032005,
2010,
2015–present
Acquired rights from ABC in 2003, acquired from CBS in 2010, direct since 2015 [19][20]
[21]
NFL playoffs ABC
ESPN
ESPN+
2015–present One wild card game broadcast since 2014–15 NFL playoffs. One divisional round game broadcast since 2023–24 NFL playoffs. [22][23]
Super Bowl ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
2027 (LXI)
2031 (LXV)
  • Broadcast rights rotated on a quadrennial basis with CBS Sports, Fox Sports, and NBC Sports.
  • Super Bowl LXI marks the first Super Bowl to air on ABC since Super Bowl XL in 2006 (produced by ABC Sports) and the first to be produced by ESPN.
[24][25]
NFL Draft ABC
ESPN
ESPN Deportes
1980–present ESPN produces a separate broadcast for ABC since 2019. [26][27]
[28]
United Football League (UFL) UFL on ESPN ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN+
2024–present Broadcast contract acquired from XFL–USFL merger [29][30]
[31]
Association football/Soccer Allsvenskan
Belgian Pro League
Danish Football Association (DBU) Danish Cup ESPN+
Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) Bundesliga ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
2020–present
  • All matches available to stream on ESPN+.
  • Select matches broadcast on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2; select Spanish-language coverage on ESPN Deportes.
[32]
2. Bundesliga ESPN+ 2020–present [32]
DFL-Supercup ESPN+ 2020–present [32]
DFB-Pokal ESPN+ 2020–present [32]
The Football Association (FA) FA Cup ESPN+ 2018–present [33]
Women's FA Cup ESPN+
FA Community Shield ESPN+ 2018–present [34][35]
Women's FA Community Shield ESPN+ 2020–present [36]
Women's Super League ESPN2
ESPN+
2024–present 57 matches stream on ESPN+ with a minimum of four matches airing on linear ESPN channels. [37][38]
Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional La Liga ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
20092012,
2021–present
Select matches previously broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes from 2009 to 2012 in sublicensing agreement with GOL TV. Full broadcast rights since 2021:
  • All matches available to stream on ESPN+.
  • Spanish-language coverage on ESPN Deportes.
  • Select matches broadcast on ABC and ESPN.
[39][40]
[41]
National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) NWSL on ESPN ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN3
ESPNEWS
ESPN+
2014,
2017–2019,
2024–present
  • ESPN broadcast nine games, six on ESPN2 and three on ESPN3, in 2014.
  • Games acquired for ESPNEWS in 2017 and expanded to ESPN2 in 2019.
  • Broadcast rights re-acquired for ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+ in 2024.
[42][43]
[44]
Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) Eredivisie ESPN+ 2018–present [45]
Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Copa del Rey ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
2020–present [46]
Copa de la Reina ESPN+ 2020–present
Supercopa de España ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
2020–present All matches available to stream on ESPN+.
  • Spanish-language coverage on ESPN Deportes.
  • ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 rotated as broadcasters of the tournament.
[47][48]
[49]
Supercopa de España Femenina ESPN+ 2020–present
United Soccer League (USL) ESPN+
Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) MLB Opening Day ESPN
Sunday Night Baseball ESPN 1990–present
Home Run Derby ESPN 1993–present
Wild Card Series ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN Deportes
2014–present Formerly the Wild Card Game from 2014 to 2019 and in 2021. ESPN broadcast seven of the eight 2020 Wild Card Series. Exclusive broadcasting rights to the entire Wild Card Series since 2022. [50][51]
[52][53]
[54]
MLB Draft ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN+
20072008,
2020–present
  • First ever televised MLB draft in 2007 on ESPN2.
  • Draft broadcasts moved to MLB Network after 2008.
  • Returned to airing MLB Draft in 2020, broadcasting the entire draft (first round on ESPN, remaining rounds on ESPN2).
  • Has aired the first round of the draft on ESPN since 2021; remaining rounds broadcast by MLB Network.
[55][56]
[57][58]
[59]
Basketball Euroleague Basketball EuroLeague ESPN3 2023–present [60]
FIBA FIBA Basketball World Cup ESPN+
FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup ESPN+
National Basketball Association (NBA) NBA on ESPN ESPN 19821984,
2002–present
  • Aired 40 games, primarily on Sunday night, each season between 1982 and 1984.
  • Wednesday and Friday night games since 2002; both nights currently doubleheaders. Friday games to be reduced to select weeks starting in the 2025–26 season.
[61][62]
[63][64]
NBA Cup ABC
ESPN
2023–2024 Formerly named the NBA In-Season Tournament
  • Friday night conference group play games
  • Consolation games on Wednesday and Friday during knockout round.
  • Exclusive Eastern Conference NBA Cup semifinal (even years only)
  • Exclusive Western Conference NBA Cup semifinal (odd years only)
  • NBA Cup final broadcast on ABC

Full rights moving to Amazon Prime Video in 2025

[65][64]
NBA Christmas Special ABC
ESPN
2002–present [63]
NBA Saturday Primetime ABC
ESPN Deportes
2016–present [66]
NBA Sunday Showcase ABC
ESPN Deportes
2003–present Doubleheader of Sunday afternoon games from 2003 to 2015. Reduced to single game in 2016. Returned to doubleheader in 2022. [63][66]
[67]
NBA All-Star Celebrity Game ESPN 2004–present No All-Star Celebrity Game played in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NBA play-in tournament ESPN 2020–2025 ABC aired lone play-in game in 2020. Since 2021:
  • Two of the four 9–10 seeded games
  • Exclusive Eastern Conference No. 8 seed game (even-numbered years)
  • Exclusive Western Conference No. 8 seed game (odd-numbered years)

Full rights moving to Amazon Prime Video in 2026

[68][69]
[70][64]
NBA playoffs ABC
ESPN
19831984,
2003–present
ESPN aired 10 playoff games in 1983 and 1984, respectively. Since 2003:
  • First round (generally Fridays and selected weekend games, co-exists with regional broadcasts)
  • Second round (generally Thursdays, Fridays, and selected weekend games)
  • Full Eastern Conference Finals series (even-numbered years)
  • Full Western Conference Finals series (odd-numbered years)
[61][63]
NBA Finals ABC 2003–present [63]
NBA Draft ABC
ESPN
2003–present ESPN produces a separate broadcast for ABC since 2021. [63][71]
Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) WNBA on ESPN ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN3
1997–present [72]
WNBA on ABC ABC 2003–present [73]
WNBA All-Star Game ABC
ESPN
1999–present Broadcast on ABC most years since 2003. [74][75]
WNBA playoffs ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
1997–present [72]
WNBA Finals ABC
ESPN
1998,
2001–2025,
2027,
2029,
2031,
2033,
2035
  • Partial series rights with NBC Sports in 1998, 2001, and 2002.
  • Exclusive full series rights from 2003 to 2025.
  • Full series rights split with NBC Sports and Amazon Prime Video from 2026 to 2036; ESPN gets all full series in odd-numbered years.
[76][77]
WNBA Draft ESPN
ESPN2
ESPNU
2001–present Primarily broadcast on ESPN since 2020. [78]
Boxing Top Rank Top Rank Boxing on ESPN
Top Rank Boxing on ESPN+
ESPN
ESPN+
2017–present [79]
Cricket Cricket West Indies Super50 Cup ESPN+
Women's Super50 Cup ESPN+
West Indies national cricket team ESPN+
N/A New Zealand national cricket team
Golf PGA Tour Masters Tournament ESPN
ESPN+
2008–present Cable-exclusive and streaming rights; shared with and co-produced by CBS Sports [80][81]
PGA Championship ESPN
ESPN+
19821990,
2020–present
Cable-exclusive and streaming rights; shared with and co-produced by CBS Sports [80][82]
PGA Tour Live ESPN+ 2022–present [83]
TGL TGL presented by SoFi ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN+
2025–future [84][85]
Handball International Handball Federation (IHF) IHF World Men's Handball Championship ESPN3
ESPN+
2021,
2023
2021 tournament streamed exclusively on ESPN+. Moved to ESPN3 for 2023 tournament. [86][87]
IHF World Women's Handball Championship ESPN3
ESPN+
2021, 2023 2021 tournament streamed exclusively on ESPN+. Moved to ESPN3 for 2023 tournament. [88][89]
Ice hockey National Hockey League (NHL) NHL on ESPN ESPN
ESPN2
19791983,
19851988,
19922004,
2021–present
  • From 1979 to 1983, ESPN's NHL rights were agreements with individual teams.
  • First national rights contract ran from 1985 to 1988; rights moved to SportsChannel America in 1988.
  • Regained national rights in 1992.
  • Re-signed one-year deal in 2004, which ESPN opted out of after the 2004–05 NHL lockout; rights moved to Outdoor Life Network in 2005.
  • Regained national rights again in 2021.
[90][91]
[92][93]
[94]
ESPN+ Hockey Night ESPN+
Hulu
2021–present [95]
NHL Power Play ESPN+ 2021–present Over 1050 out-of-market games, replacing NHL.tv. Game feeds originating from regional sports networks and national Canadian broadcasters. [94][96]
NHL on ABC ABC
ESPN+
19931994,
20002004,
2021–present
  • ESPN produced games and aired games on ABC under a time-buy agreement from 1993 to 1994.
  • Broadcast rights moved to Fox Sports in 1995.
  • Reacquired rights in 2000 under the same time-buy agreement.
  • Broadcast rights left again for NBC Sports after 2004.
  • Regained rights in 2021, most games air under the banner ABC Hockey Saturday.
[97][98]
[99][92]
[94][95]
[96]
NHL Stadium Series ABC
ESPN
ESPN+
2023–present [100][101]
NHL All-Star Skills Competition ESPN
ESPN+
2022–present [102]
NHL All-Star Game ABC
ESPN
ESPN+
19861988,
20002004,
2022–present
  • Broadcast on ESPN from 1986 to 1988; 1987 iteration was the Rendez-vous '87 aired over two days.
  • Broadcast on ABC and ESPN+ since 2022.
[103][104]
[19][105]
Stanley Cup playoffs ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN+
19932004,
2022–present
  • Selected first and second-round games (primarily on days when not airing the NBA, depending on which league begins their postseason first or if both leagues start their playoffs at roughly the same time; first-round co-exists with regional broadcasts)
  • One exclusive conference finals series per season (ESPN/ABC has the first choice as to which conference to air.)
[106][107]
Stanley Cup Finals ABC
ESPN
ESPN+
19932004,
2022,
2024,
2026,
2028
  • Full series in 1993 and 1994; co-existed with regional broadcasts.
  • Partial series rights with Fox Sports from 1995 to 1999.
  • Co-produced with ABC Sports from 2000 to 2004.
  • Full series exclusive to ABC and ESPN+ in even years from 2022 to 2028; rights rotated annually with TNT Sports.
[108]
NHL Entry Draft ESPN
ESPN+
2022–present ESPN only broadcasts first round; second to the last round broadcast by NHL Network. All rounds streamed on ESPN+. [109]
NHL 4 Nations Face-Off ABC
ESPN
ESPN+
2025 [96]
Lacrosse Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) PLL on ESPN
PLL on ESPN+
ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN+
2022–present All matches available to stream on ESPN+. Select games broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2. [110][111]
Mixed martial arts Professional Fighters League (PFL) PFL on ESPN
PFL on ESPN+
ESPN2
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
2019–present [112][113]
[114][115]
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) UFC Numbered
UFC Fight Night
UFC on ESPN
UFC on ABC
ABC
ESPN
ESPNEWS
ESPN+
2019–present First acquired rights linear broadcast match rights. Later acquired exclusive rights for UFC Numbered PPVs events on ESPN+. [116][117]
Motorsport Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile Formula One (F1) ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN+
19841997,
2018–present
Current coverage simulcasted from Sky Sports. [118][119]
FIA Formula 2 Championship
FIA Formula 3 Championship
N/A Porsche Supercup
Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) 2023–present [120][121]
Tennis N/A Australian Open ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
1984–present Longest active tenured professional sports property on ESPN. [122]
US Open ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN3
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
2009–present Cable-only rights shared with CBS Sports and the Tennis Channel from 2009 to 2014. Full rights since 2015. [123][124]
[125]
Wimbledon Championships ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN3
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
2003–present Cable-exclusive rights shared with NBC Sports from 2003 to 2011. Full rights since 2012. [126][127]
[128]
Volleyball League One Volleyball (LOVB) LOVB Pro ESPN
ESPN2
ESPNU
ESPN+
2025–future 10 matches to be broadcast on ESPN networks and 18 matches streaming on ESPN+. [129][130]

Collegiate sports

[edit]

Amateur sports

[edit]


Former rights

[edit]

Professional sports

[edit]
Sport League / Governing Body Program / Competition Network(s) Release Notes Ref(s)
American football National Football League (NFL) ESPN Sunday Night Football ESPN 19872005
  • Package initially included eight Sunday Night games during the second half of the season from 1987 to 1997.
  • Full rights acquired by ESPN in 1998; absorbed first half schedule from Turner Sports.

Sunday night package moved to NBC Sports in 2006; ESPN acquired Monday Night Football from ABC.

[135][136]
[13]
United States Football League (USFL) USFL on ESPN ESPN 19831985 Broadcast games in primetime on Saturdays and Mondays. ESPN offered to broadcast a 22-game slate in 1986, but the league suspended operations instead. The league ultimately ceased to exist. [137][138]
[139]
XFL XFL on ESPN ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
FX
2020,
2023
  • League suspended operations for two years.
  • XFL merged with USFL to become the United Football League (UFL); ESPN's XFL broadcast rights absorbed into UFL.
[140][141]
[29]
Arena football Arena Football League (AFL) Arena Football League on ESPN ESPN
Association football/Soccer CONMEBOL Copa América ESPN+ 2019 Broadcast rights acquired and moved to Fox Sports beginning with the 2021 tournament. [142][143]
English Football League (EFL) EFL Championship ESPN3
ESPN+
20172024 Matches broadcast on ESPN3, before moving to ESPN+. All EFL broadcast rights moved to CBS Sports in 2024. [144][145]
[146]
EFL League One ESPN3
ESPN+
20172024 Matches broadcast on ESPN3, before moving to ESPN+. All EFL broadcast rights moved to CBS Sports in 2024. [144][145]
[146]
EFL League Two ESPN3
ESPN+
20172024 Matches broadcast on ESPN3, before moving to ESPN+. All EFL broadcast rights moved to CBS Sports in 2024. [144][145]
[146]
EFL Cup ESPN3
ESPN+
20172024 Matches broadcast on ESPN3, before moving to ESPN+. All EFL broadcast rights moved to CBS Sports in 2024. [144][146]
FIFA FIFA World Cup ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
1982,
1986,
19942014
  • ESPN broadcast 7 matches in 1982, and then 15 matches in 1986.
  • Broadcast rights to most of or the entire tournament from 1994 to 2014, co-produced with ABC Sports from 1994 to 2006.

Full broadcast rights moved to Fox Sports beginning with the 2018 tournament.

[147][148]
[149][150]
FIFA Women's World Cup ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
19952011
  • ESPN and ESPN2 broadcast six matches in 1995.
  • Entire 1999 tournament broadcast and co-produced with ABC Sports.
  • 18 of 32 matches in 2003 tournament aired live on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2.
  • Entire 2007 and 2011 tournaments broadcast exclusively on ESPN and ESPN2.

Full broadcast rights moved to Fox Sports beginning with the 2015 tournament.

[151][152]
[150]
Lega Serie A Serie A ESPN
ESPN2
ESPNEWS
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
20182021
  • An average of nine matches a week stream on ESPN+.
  • Serie A Match of the Week broadcast on an ESPN linear network (ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNEWS) with Spanish-language coverage on ESPN Deportes.

All Lega Serie A rights moved to CBS Sports in 2021.

[153][154]
[155]
Coppa Italia ESPN
ESPN2
ESPNEWS
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
20182021
  • Final airs on an ESPN linear network (ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNEWS) with Spanish-language coverage on ESPN Deportes.
  • All other matches stream on ESPN+.

All Lega Serie A rights moved to CBS Sports in 2021.

[153][155]
Supercoppa Italiana ESPN
ESPN2
ESPNEWS
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
20182021 Match broadcast on one of the ESPN linear networks (ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNEWS) with Spanish-language coverage on ESPN Deportes. All Lega Serie A rights moved to CBS Sports in 2021. [153][155]
Major League Soccer (MLS) MLS on ESPN ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
19962022 All MLS broadcast rights moved to Apple TV+ in 2023. [156][157]
[158]
MLS All-Star Game ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
19962014,
2016,
2018,
2022
All MLS broadcast rights moved to Apple TV+ in 2023. [157]
MLS Cup playoffs ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPNEWS
ESPN Deportes
1996–2022 All MLS broadcast rights moved to Apple TV+ in 2023. [157]
MLS Cup ABC
ESPN
19962015,
2017,
2019,
2021
  • ABC aired MLS Cup from 1996 to 2008.
  • Moved to ESPN from 2009 to 2015.
  • Rotated biannually with Fox Sports from 2015 to 2022.
  • Broadcast on ABC in 2019 and 2021.

All MLS broadcast rights moved to Apple TV+ in 2023.

[159][160]
[161][162]
[163][157]
Premier League Premier League on ESPN ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN3
ESPN Deportes
19961998,
20092013
  • Broadcast Monday night matches on ESPN2 from 1996 to 1998.
  • Re-acquired rights in 2009 initially broadcasting matches in Saturday morning and Monday timeslots.
  • Sublicensed matches from Fox Sports starting in 2010.
  • Most matches from 2009 to 2013 aired on ESPN2, ESPN3, and ESPN Deportes with occasional matches on ESPN.

Full rights moved to NBC Sports in 2013.

[164][165]
[166][167]
[168][169]
Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) UEFA Champions League ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN3
ESPN Deportes
19942009,
20142018
  • Main rightsholder from 1994 to 2009 with matches broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2.
  • Broadcast rights acquired by Fox Sports in 2009.
  • Reacquired select rights in 2014 in a sublicensing agreement with Fox Sports.
  • Spanish-language coverage on ESPN Deportes and matches on ESPN3 from 2014 to 2018.

Full rights moved to Turner Sports in 2018.

[170][171]
[172]
UEFA European Championship ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN+
20082021 Rights moved to Fox Sports beginning with the 2024 tournament. [173][174]
[175]
UEFA Women's Championship ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN3
ESPNU
ESPN Deportes
ESPN+
20132022 Rights moved to Fox Sports beginning with the 2025 tournament. [176][177]
[178]
UEFA Nations League
United States Soccer Federation (USSF) United States men's national soccer team
United States women's national soccer team
Australian rules football Australian Football League 2009–2011
Basketball N/A The Basketball Tournament (TBT) ESPN
ESPN2
ESPNU
ESPN+
20142023 Broadcast rights acquired by Fox Sports in 2024. [179][180]
[181]
Boxing Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) 2015–2017 Returned again for 2020 only, based on the Top Rank main feed.
Canadian football Canadian Football League (CFL) CFL on ESPN ESPN2
ESPN3
ESPNEWS
ESPN+
1994–1997,
20082022
  • ESPN3 only from 2008 to 2013; by virtue in its stake in Canadian broadcaster TSN, the official broadcaster of the CFL, it held internet streaming rights.
  • ESPN2 and ESPNEWS broadcasts games from 2013 to 2022 with streaming coverage added later on ESPN+.

Rights acquired by CBS Sports in 2023.

[182][183]
Golf PGA Tour U.S. Open ESPN 19822014
  • Cable-exclusive rights, broadcast first and second round of the tournament
  • Shared with co-produced with ABC Sports from 1982 to 1994, then with NBC Sports from 1995 to 2014.

Full broadcast rights acquired by Fox Sports in 2015.

[80][184]
[185]
The Open Championship ABC
ESPN
19832002,
20102015
  • Cable rights; shared with and co-produced by ABC Sports.
  • Cable rights moved to Turner Sports in 2003.
  • Acquired all Open rights in 2010, airing all four rounds on ESPN.

Full broadcast rights acquired and moved to NBC Sports in 2016.

[80][186]
[187][188]
[189]
Ice hockey National Hockey League (NHL) World Cup of Hockey ESPN
ESPN Deportes
2016 [133]
Indoor soccer Major Indoor Soccer League 1985–1987,
2005–2006
Championship games only in 2005 and 2006
Motorsport American Le Mans Series 1999–2013
Champ Car World Series ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN Classic
2007 Series merged with IRL, beginning with the 2008 season
Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) 1980–2001
Global Rallycross 2011–2013
IndyCar Series IndyCar Series on ESPN ESPN
ESPN2
1996–2008 Rights moved to Versus Channel in 2009. ESPN continued to produce the broadcasts of five races that aired on ABC through 2018, including the Indianapolis 500.
Indianapolis 500 ABC
NASCAR NASCAR on ESPN ABC
ESPN
1981–2000,
2001–2002,
2007–2014
  • Contracts with individual races from 1981 to 2000.
  • Contract with Truck Series only in 2001 and 2002
  • Contract with NASCAR from 2007 to 2014

ESPN's contract portion moved to NBC Sports in 2015.

National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) ESPN 1980–2015
  • Contracts with individual races from 1980 to 2000
  • Contract with NHRA from 2001 to 2015

Rights moved to Fox Sports in 2016

Tennis Atlanta Open 2010–2017
ATP Finals 2000–2019
Canadian Open 2004–2017
Citi Open 2004–2017
French Open 1986–1993,
2002–2015
Indian Wells Masters ?–2007,
2011–2019
Miami Open 1985–2007,
2011–2019
Silicon Valley Classic 2004–2017
Winston-Salem Open 2004–2017
Thoroughbred racing N/A Belmont Stakes ABC 20062010 Broadcast rights returned to NBC Sports in 2011. [190][191]
Breeders' Cup ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
2006–2011
Wrestling AWA Championship Wrestling 1985–1990
Global Wrestling Federation 1991–1994
UWF Fury Hour 1995

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Schawbel, Dan (13 September 2012). "How Bill Rasmussen Started ESPN and His Entrepreneurship Advice". Forbes. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  2. ^ Kleinfield, N.R. (1 May 1984). "ABC to Acquire ESPN As Texaco Sells Its 72%". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  3. ^ "ABC Sports completes ESPN integration". United Press International (UPI). 11 August 2006. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  4. ^ Sandomir, Richard (11 August 2006). "ABC Sports Is Dead at 45; Stand by for ESPN". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  5. ^ "ESPN2 buffs up". Cable World. 12 (13): 3. 27 March 2000.
  6. ^ "ESPNU to launch on '03-04-05'". ESPN.com. 8 December 2004. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  7. ^ Smith, Chris (12 April 2013). "SEC, ESPN To Announce SEC Network, Likely The Most Valuable TV Deal In College Sports". Forbes. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  8. ^ Draper, Kevin (22 August 2019). "New Cable Network for A.C.C. Heightens Arms Race in College Sports". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  9. ^ "ESPN Deportes Media Kit". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024. ESPN Deportes launched as ESPN's 24/7 Spanish-language linear platform serving U.S. Hispanic sports fans
  10. ^ Spangler, Todd (10 February 2010). "ESPN360.com To Become ESPN3.com On April 4". Multichannel News. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  11. ^ Steinberg, Brian (2 April 2018). "ESPN Says New Streaming Service, 'ESPN+' Will Launch April 12". Variety. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  12. ^ Theisen, Lauren (2 April 2018). "ESPN's New $4.99-A-Month Service Is Taking Away Some Programming On ESPN3". Deadspin. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  13. ^ a b Shapiro, Leonard; Maske, Mark (18 April 2005). "'Monday Night Football' Changes the Channel". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  14. ^ Hofheimer, Bill (7 May 2020). "Monday Night Football's Strong Schedule in 2020 Features Raiders' Las Vegas Opener on ESPN and ABC, an MVP Matchup in Chiefs-Ravens, and High-Profile Seahawks-Eagles and Bills-49ers Clashes" (Press release). ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  15. ^ Volner, Derek (14 December 2021). "ESPN's Presentation of Monday Night Football: Doubleheader Saturday in Week 18 Set to Debut; Simulcast on ABC and ESPN+" (Press release). ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  16. ^ DeMeyer, Tess (21 October 2024). "Why are there multiple 'Monday Night Football' doubleheaders this season?". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  17. ^ Rumsey, David (21 October 2024). "ESPN+ Exclusive NFL Game Adds Intrigue to Shifting 'MNF' Slate". Front Office Sports. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  18. ^ Volner, Derek (19 July 2021). "ESPN and The Walt Disney Company Announce Significant Partnership with Peyton Manning and Omaha Productions" (Press release). ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  19. ^ a b Stewart, Larry (5 February 1988). "Olden Hoping to Be a Hit by Describing Them for Indians". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 6 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024. There are two other all-star games coming up. ESPN will televise the NFL's Pro Bowl live from Honolulu Sunday at 5 p.m. and will also televise the NHL All-Star game at St. Louis next Tuesday at 5.
  20. ^ Skarka, Mike (22 January 2015). "#TBT: The Pro Bowl returns to ESPN". ESPN Front Row. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  21. ^ Leach, Hunter (1 February 2024). "How to Watch, Stream & Listen: 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games". miamidolphins.com. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  22. ^ Coelho, Ana Livia (12 May 2015). "NFL Wild Card Playoff Game Will Return to ESPN – and Be Simulcast for the First Time on ABC". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  23. ^ Volner, Derek (11 May 2023). "ESPN's 25-Game 2023-24 NFL Schedule: More Monday Night Football Games, Multiple Playoff Games, Flex Scheduling, and More of the League's Signature Matchups, Marquee Teams, Storylines than Ever Before". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024. Divisional Playoff Added: ESPN will air a Divisional Round playoff game on January 20 or 21 for the first time. The game will be presented on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+.
  24. ^ "NFL completes long-term media distribution agreements through 2033 season". NFL.com. 18 March 2021. Archived from the original on 23 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  25. ^ "NFL Rights Deals: ESPN Retains Monday Night Football; ABC Joins Super Bowl Rotation". Sports Video Group. 18 March 2021. Archived from the original on 8 September 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024. ABC/ESPN will carry two Super Bowls (2026, 2030) as part of a rotation between the NFL's media partners, marking the first time that an ESPN-NFL agreement has included such Super Bowl rights. ABC last televised the Super Bowl in February 2006.
  26. ^ Deitsch, Richard (23 April 2020). "Media Circus: Memories of the first televised NFL Draft on ESPN, 40 years ago". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  27. ^ Rigdon, Jay (24 March 2021). "ESPN and ABC announce draft coverage teams, with ABC again featuring College GameDay crew". Awful Announcing. Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  28. ^ Pirrone, Chris (24 April 2024). "The NFL Network, ABC And ESPN Bring The Big Names For Draft Coverage". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  29. ^ a b Busbee, Jay (31 December 2023). "USFL, XFL announce merger, formation of new spring football league: The UFL". Yahoo Sports. Archived from the original on 20 September 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  30. ^ Seifert, Kevin (31 December 2023). "Merged XFL-USFL to be rebranded as United Football League". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  31. ^ Skarka, Michael (5 February 2024). "ESPN's 2024 United Football League Schedule Revealed". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  32. ^ a b c d Nwulu, Mac (30 September 2019). "ESPN+ To Be The U.S. Home For Bundesliga, Beginning August 2020". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  33. ^ Nwulu, Mac (15 August 2018). "ESPN+ Becomes Exclusive Presenter of Emirates FA Cup in U.S. Through New Rights Agreement". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  34. ^ "ESPN+ reaches new deal with FA Cup, including final and Community Shield". ESPN.com. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2024. The deal also includes the FA Community Shield, the annual match between FA Cup and Premier League champions to start the English football season.
  35. ^ Hofheimer, Bill (3 August 2018). "Chelsea vs. Manchester City Community Shield Match to Air Exclusively on ESPN+". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  36. ^ Nwulu, Mac (26 August 2020). "ESPN+ the Exclusive Home for The FA Community Shield Women's and Men's Doubleheader Saturday". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  37. ^ Calcagno, Christine (8 November 2024). "Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur chosen as first BWSL match televised live on an ESPN linear platform this season". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  38. ^ Lerner, Drew (8 November 2024). "ESPN strikes deal with Barclays Women's Super League". Awful Announcing. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  39. ^ Reedy, Joe (13 May 2021). "Spain's La Liga moves to ESPN with 8-year agreement". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2024. ESPN does have a previous history with La Liga. Some select matches aired on ESPN 2 as well as ESPN Deportes from 2009-12.
  40. ^ Cardenas, Xoel (2 June 2012). "FC Barcelona, La Liga Get New Television Home in the US". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024. ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes, to which GolTV sublicensed some Liga games, will no longer broadcast these games due to beIN Sport's contract.
  41. ^ Nwulu, Mac (13 May 2021). "ESPN and LaLiga Reach Historic Rights Agreement Bringing Top-Rated Soccer League to Millions More Fans Across the U.S." ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  42. ^ Oshan, Jeremiah (May 28, 2014). "NWSL signs limited broadcast deal with ESPN". SBNation.
  43. ^ "National Women's Soccer League & ESPN Announce National Broadcast Agreement". Chicago Red Stars.
  44. ^ Tannenwald, Jonathan (November 9, 2023). "The NWSL signs new broadcast deals with CBS, ESPN, Amazon, and ION worth $60 million a year". Inquirer.com. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  45. ^ Nwulu, Mac (13 August 2018). "ESPN+ Acquires Rights to Dutch, Chinese and Australia's Top Soccer Leagues". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  46. ^ Brito, Santa (10 January 2020). "ESPN+ Adds Exclusive Coverage of Copa del Rey in the U.S." ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  47. ^ Nwulu, Mac (11 January 2022). "ESPN Networks Present the Semifinals and Final of 2021-22 Supercopa de España from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  48. ^ "ESPN extends Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup rights deals in US". SportsBusiness. 9 August 2022. Archived from the original on 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  49. ^ Calcagno, Christine (10 January 2024). "ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes Present the Return of Bundesliga, Supercopa de España, LALIGA, Eredivisie and More This Weekend". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  50. ^ Sandomir, Richard (29 August 2012). "ESPN Extends M.L.B. Deal, Doubling What It Pays Yearly". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024. The new contract lets ESPN add a wild-card game
  51. ^ Cafardo, Ben (11 September 2014). "ESPN to Exclusively Televise MLB NL Wild Card Game Oct. 1". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  52. ^ Cafardo, Ben (29 September 2020). "Remaining ESPN MLB Wild Card Series Schedule". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  53. ^ Brown, Maury (14 May 2021). "MLB's $4 Billion ESPN Media Rights Extension Brings The League's Total Broadcast Value To $12 Billion Over 7 Years". Forbes. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024. A key piece of the agreement has ESPN exclusively televising the entire MLB Wild Card Series starting in 2022 if the number of teams increases.
  54. ^ Hughes Martin, Katie (5 October 2022). "ESPN Platforms to Exclusively Televise Entire 2022 MLB Wild Card Series". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  55. ^ "Coming this June: The MLB draft on TV". ESPN.com. 7 May 2007. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  56. ^ Tanklefsky, David (28 April 2009). "First Day of MLB Draft To Be Held At MLB Network". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on 9 September 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  57. ^ Cafardo, Ben (29 May 2020). "ESPN to Nationally Televise 2020 MLB Draft June 10-11". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  58. ^ Brown, Maury (10 June 2020). "MLB Draft Returns To ESPN For First Time Since 2008". Forbes. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  59. ^ Hughes Martin, Katie (30 June 2021). "ESPN to Provide Comprehensive Coverage of MLB All-Star 2021". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024. ESPN will nationally televise the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft on Sunday, July 11
  60. ^ "ESPN to bring the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague to U.S. audience". Euroleague Basketball. 8 May 2022. Archived from the original on 6 December 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  61. ^ a b "ESPN Acquires Rights to NBA Games" (Press release). ESPN. January 30, 1982. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  62. ^ "Cable sports news" (PDF). Broadcasting. February 8, 1982. Retrieved August 14, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  63. ^ a b c d e f "NBA TV deal moves to ABC, ESPN". ESPN. 22 January 2002. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  64. ^ a b c "NBA signs new 11-year media agreements with the Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal and Amazon Prime Video through 2035-36 season" (Press release). NBA Communications. 24 July 2024. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024.
  65. ^ "NBA In-Season Tournament Explained: Format, Schedule & How to Watch". DirecTV.com. 7 November 2024. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  66. ^ a b Cafardo, Ben (12 August 2015). "ABC & ESPN 2015-16 NBA Schedule". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  67. ^ Cafardo, Ben (20 August 2021). "ESPN & ABC Combine to Nationally Televise 101 Games during 2021-22 NBA Regular Season". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 13 April 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  68. ^ Simmons-Winter, Shakeemah (9 August 2020). "NBA Western Conference Play-in Game to Air on ABC Saturday, Aug. 15" (Press release). ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  69. ^ "NBA Play-In Tournament 2021: Rules, dates and TV schedule". NBC Sports Boston. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  70. ^ "NBA Play-In Tournament: How to watch, matchups, schedule". NBC Sports Boston. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  71. ^ Simmons-Winter, Shakeemah (27 July 2021). "ESPN and ABC to Exclusively Televise the 2021 NBA Draft presented by State Farm Thursday, July 29, at 8 p.m. ET". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  72. ^ a b "THE WNBA: A LEAGUE WITH NO PLAYERS, BUT THREE TV PARTNERS". Sports Business Journal. 17 July 1996. Archived from the original on 16 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  73. ^ "WNBA Announces Six-Year Deal with ABC and ESPN" (Press release). Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). 12 June 2002. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  74. ^ Lewis, Jon (25 July 2009). "WNBA All-Star Game numbers game". Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  75. ^ "WNBA All-Star Game Winners: Every winning All-Star team in WNBA history". Marca. 20 July 2024. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024. This tradition of skipping the All-Star Game during Olympic years continued in 2008, 2012, and 2016, with a month-long break in the regular season to accommodate participants. In 2020, the Summer Olympics were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, delaying the WNBA season and resulting in no All-Star Game.
  76. ^ Salao, Colin (24 July 2024). "WNBA Signs $2.2 Billion Rights Deal With Disney, NBC, Amazon". Front Office Sports. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024. ESPN has aired the WNBA Finals exclusively on its networks since 2003, and it has aired at least one WNBA Finals game each season dating back to 1998, the league's second season. In this new rights package, ESPN will broadcast just five WNBA Finals over 11 years, while NBC and Amazon each take three years apiece. (The new deal brings WNBA games back to NBC for the first time since 2002.)
  77. ^ Marchand, Andrew`; Pickman, Ben (24 July 2024). "NBA announces $77 billion deals with ESPN, NBC and Amazon; TNT Sports threatens to sue, per sources". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024. For @WNBA fans. Here is where the WNBA Finals will air:
    NBC/Peacock: 2026, 2030, 2034.
    Disney/ESPN/ABC: 2027, 2029, 2031, 2033, 2035.
    Amazon Prime Video: 2028, 2032, 2036.
    — Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) July 25, 2024
  78. ^ "Eleven years later, the WNBA arrives". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 17 July 2007. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2024. 2001: ESPN2 carries the WNBA draft, the first time the event is broadcast live.
  79. ^ Rafael, Dan (2 August 2018). "Top Rank Boxing lands 7-year deal with ESPN". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  80. ^ a b c d "History of Golf on ESPN". ESPN Press Room. 6 October 2019. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  81. ^ Sandomir, Richard (11 October 2007). "ESPN Replaces USA as Early-Round Home of the Masters". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  82. ^ Ourand, John; Lombardo, John (10 October 2018). "PGA Championship Leaving TNT For ESPN In '20, Re-Ups With CBS". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  83. ^ Rigdon, Jay (8 December 2021). "ESPN+ takes over PGA Tour Live in January with vastly expanded coverage". Awful Announcing. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  84. ^ Weprin, Alex (5 October 2023). "ESPN Nabs Tiger Woods' TGL Golf League Rights, Plans Jan. 9 Launch in U.S. (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  85. ^ Hall, Andy (12 December 2024). "Scott Van Pelt, Matt Barrie, Marty Smith Form ESPN Telecast Team for TGL presented by SoFi" (Press release). ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 14 December 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  86. ^ USA Team Handball [@USATH] (9 January 2021). "We've got HUGE news" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021 – via Twitter.
  87. ^ Ryan, John (10 January 2023). "2023 Handball World Championship Web Streaming (Information and Schedule)". Team Handball News. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  88. ^ "IHF Womens World Championships Main Round Schedule on ESPN". USA Team Handball. 9 December 2021. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  89. ^ Ryan, John (27 November 2023). "2023 Women's Handball World Championships (Streaming and Information Links)". Team Handball News. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  90. ^ Strachan, Al (30 July 1985). "ESPN acquires NHL games Backroom bickering in TV deal". The Globe and Mail. "ESPN wins three-year contract from National Hockey League."....In the 1979-80, 1980-81 and 1982-83 seasons, [ESPN] televised a number of games by making the necessary arrangements with the individual clubs.
  91. ^ Clark, Cammy (3 September 1992). "NHL okays ESPN deal". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024. ESPN showed select NHL games from 1980 to 1982 and had a previous contract with the league from 1985 to 1988. But the NHL owners decided four years ago to go for more money over more exposure and ditched ESPN for SportsChannel.
  92. ^ a b Sandomir, Richard (19 May 2004). "N.H.L. Gets New TV Deal, With Big Cut in Revenue". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  93. ^ Sandomir, Richard (18 August 2005). "ESPN Passes on N.H.L. Television Rights, Ending 21-Year Relationship With League". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  94. ^ a b c Shapiro, Sean (9 March 2021). "ESPN, NHL agree to 7-year broadcast deal". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  95. ^ a b Coryell, Grace (16 September 2021). "The Walt Disney Company Announces 103 Exclusive NHL Games Across ESPN, ESPN+, Hulu and ABC Beginning October 12". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  96. ^ a b c DiCristoforo, Andrea (29 August 2024). "The Walt Disney Company Announces 100 Exclusive National Hockey League Games Across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, ABC and Hulu Beginning October 8". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  97. ^ Hull, Christopher (April 10, 1993). "Stanley Cup playoffs debut on ABC, ESPN". Prince George Citizen. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  98. ^ Martzke, Rudy (12 September 1994). "Fox makes hockey its newest surprise". USA Today.
  99. ^ Sandomir, Richard (6 August 1998). "HOCKEY; ABC and ESPN Make a Dual $600 Million Bid to Acquire N.H.L. Television Rights". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 27 May 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  100. ^ "2023 NHL Stadium Series between Capitals, Hurricanes to air on ABC, ESPN+". NHL.com. 1 December 2022. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  101. ^ "Twenty One Pilots to perform at 2025 NHL Stadium Series". NHL.com. 2 December 2024. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024. The game will be broadcast live at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN in the U.S.
  102. ^ Shilton, Kristen (3 February 2022). "NHL All-Star Skills Competition: What you need to know about every event". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  103. ^ Sarni, Jim (2 February 1986). "INNOVATIONS ARE ESPN'S GOAL FOR NHL ALL-STAR GAME". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 6 December 2024. ESPN, the first American network to produce the NHL's All-Star Game, is polishing the hardware for Tuesday's telecast.
  104. ^ Trecker, Jerry (8 February 1987). "Rendez-Vous toughest test for Clement". Hartford Courant. [Bill] Clement will join play-by-play commentator Ken Wilson in Quebec for Rendez-Vous '87, the two-game series between the NHL All-Stars and the Soviet National Team. The games, Wednesday and Friday on ESPN at 7:30 p.m....
  105. ^ Coryell, Grace (12 January 2022). "2022 NHL All-Star Game and U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team Rosters to be Revealed Exclusively on SportsCenter and The Point on Jan. 13". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  106. ^ "Stanley Cup Playoffs TV schedule". Sports Media Watch. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  107. ^ Young, Jabari (9 July 2021). "NHL moving to Turner Sports is $1 billion risk-reward for hockey". CNBC. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Turner will land three Stanley Cups, one of the NHL conference playoff rounds (ESPN has first rights) and the Winter Classic as part of the package
  108. ^ Schram, Carol (27 April 2021). "NHL Finalizes U.S. TV Rights Deals As Turner Sports Joins ESPN/Disney". Forbes. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  109. ^ DiCristoforo, Andrea (6 July 2022). "The 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft Begins July 7 on ESPN and ESPN+". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  110. ^ Hayes, Dade (23 March 2022). "ESPN Leans Into Lacrosse, Locking 4-Year Rights Deal With The PLL As Young League Segues From NBCUniversal". Deadline. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2024. The four-year deal will put all 47 of the PLL's games, including playoffs, across ESPN, ESPN+, ABC and ESPN2...
  111. ^ Koons, Zach (23 March 2022). "ESPN Agrees to Multi-Year Rights Deal With Premier Lacrosse League". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2024. ESPN and the Premier Lacrosse League have agreed to a four-year media rights deal ahead of the league's 2022 season...
  112. ^ "PFL signs broadcast deal with ESPN for second season". mmajunkie.com. February 25, 2019.
  113. ^ Alexander K. Lee (February 25, 2019). "PFL signs multi-year deal with ESPN". mmafighting.com.
  114. ^ Levy, Joe (28 May 2019). "'With OTT there is no better time to be doing this': Why the PFL is betting big on DTC". www.sportspromedia.com. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  115. ^ "Professional Fighters League expects to keep champ Kayla Harrison". ESPN. January 25, 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  116. ^ "ESPN to broadcast 30 UFC events per year during 5-year deal". ESPN.com. 23 May 2018. Archived from the original on 21 March 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  117. ^ Ourand, John (18 March 2019). "ESPN Extends With UFC; ESPN+ Becomes Exclusive PPV Provider". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  118. ^ Pryson, Brian (4 October 2017). "BREAKING: F1 moving to ESPN/ABC TV in 2018". Autoweek. Detroit: Hearst Communications.
  119. ^ Hall, Andy (October 22, 2022). "The Walt Disney Company, ESPN, Formula 1 Extend Relationship with New, Multi-Year Contract" (Press release). Bristol: ESPN.
  120. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (December 12, 2022). "SRX Returning In 2023, Moving To ESPN". Frontstretch. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  121. ^ Kerschbaumer, Ken (2023-07-13). "Thursday Night Thunder Returns to ESPN via SRX; SMT, Plucky Revamp Graphics, Data". Sports Video Group. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  122. ^ Nagle, Dave (17 May 2022). "ESPN Signs New Nine-Year Agreement with Tennis Australia to Continue Exclusive Live Coverage of the Australian Open". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  123. ^ Ourand, John; Kaplan, Daniel (12 May 2008). "Tennis Channel, ESPN complete slam with Open". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  124. ^ Lewis, Jon (16 May 2013). "ESPN Acquires Full U.S. Open Rights Starting in 2015". Sports Media Watch. Archived from the original on 28 August 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  125. ^ Calcagno, Christine (20 August 2024). "ESPN's Exclusive First Ball to Last Ball Coverage of the 2024 US Open August 26 – September 8". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  126. ^ "ESPN & Wimbledon: A Tennis Match Made In Multimedia Heaven". Sports Business Journal. 15 April 2003. Archived from the original on 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  127. ^ Ourand, John (5 July 2011). "ESPN Announces 12-Year Deal For Wimbledon Media Rights". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  128. ^ Dwornik, Ardi (11 July 2024). "Wimbledon Gentlemen's Semifinals LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ Friday, July 12, at 8 a.m. ET". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  129. ^ Cahillane, Mollie (9 May 2024). "League One Volleyball signs media deal with ESPN ahead of debut". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  130. ^ "LOVB Announces Season Broadcast and Streaming Schedule for Inaugural Pro Season" (Press release). League One Volleyball (LOVB). 10 December 2024. Archived from the original on 12 December 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  131. ^ a b "ACC, ESPN agree to 20-year rights deal that will lead to 2019 launch of ACC Network". 19 July 2016.
  132. ^ "Sun Belt & ESPN Expand Media Rights Partnership". 22 July 2021.
  133. ^ a b "Frozen Four championship back on ESPN; semifinal games both to air on ESPN2 :: USCHO.com :: U.S. College Hockey Online". Archived from the original on 2012-11-09.
  134. ^ "Little League Chronology". Little League Online. Archived from the original on April 9, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2007. ESPN2 broadcasts started in 1997.
  135. ^ "NFL Finally Opens The Door To Cable". Chicago Tribune. 16 March 1987. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  136. ^ Sandomir, Richard (14 January 1998). "PRO FOOTBALL; Monday Football Stays on ABC; NBC Out of Game After 33 Years". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024. ESPN secured exclusive National Football League cable rights by paying $4.8 billion for the entire Sunday night package.....They also ended the eight-year arrangement under which ESPN had shared Sunday night games with TNT.
  137. ^ "The newly created United States Football League and ESPN..." United Press International. 17 June 1982. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  138. ^ Grimsley, Will (16 August 1982). "USFL to serve as hearty meal for football-starved gourmet". The Advocate. p. 14. The USFL has signed a contract with ESPN to show prime time games on Saturdays and Mondays
  139. ^ "ESPN, minus USFL, has 66 hours to fill". Associated Press via St. Petersburg Times. 5 August 1986. pp. 6c. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  140. ^ Ourand, John (6 May 2019). "Broadcast TV Big Part Of XFL Deals With ESPN, Fox". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  141. ^ Jackson, Wilton (17 May 2022). "XFL Announces ESPN, ABC Will Have Broadcasting Rights". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  142. ^ Nwulu, Mac (28 May 2019). "ESPN+ Acquires Rights to 2019 CONMEBOL Copa America in the U.S." (Press release). ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  143. ^ Carp, Sam (5 May 2021). "Copa America to kick off Fox Sports" six-year Conmebol rights deal". SportsPro. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  144. ^ a b c d "ESPN to broadcast English Football League games in U.S. this season". ESPN.com. 3 August 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  145. ^ a b c Nwulu, Mac (9 May 2018). "Exclusive on ESPN+: 2017-2018 English Football League Playoffs". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  146. ^ a b c d Crafton, Adam (18 July 2024). "CBS beats ESPN to claim U.S. TV rights to EFL – and has bold plan to tap into 'the drama'". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  147. ^ Nwulu, Mac (24 February 2014). "ESPN Schedule for 2014 FIFA World Cup". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  148. ^ "ABC, ESPN near deal on World Cup broadcasts Series". St. Petersburg Times. 17 May 1992.
  149. ^ Miller, James Andrew; Shales, Tom (2011). Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN. Quote from Geoff Mason, former ESPN executive producer (1st ed.). Back Bay Books. p. 373. ISBN 978-0-316-04300-7. In '98, it was decided we were going to do the World Cup together, which was going to air on ESPN and ABC. It made no sense for us to ship a production team from ABC to Paris and to send another production from ESPN there as well. As long as we weren't on U.S. soil, we could combine forces because the union issues wouldn't come to bear. So they put me in charge of building a team composed of the best that we could find from both ABC Sports and ESPN.
  150. ^ a b De La Fuente, Anna Marie; Levine, Stuart (21 October 2011). "World Cup rights a coup for Fox". Variety. Archived from the original on 6 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  151. ^ Nwulu, Mac (23 March 2011). "2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Schedule on ESPN". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 6 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  152. ^ Reynolds, Mike (8 September 2003). "ESPN Unveils Women's Cup Plans". Multichannel News. 24 (36): 8. The trio [ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC Sports] will televise 18 live matches and a pair of encores from Sept. 21 through Oct. 12.
  153. ^ a b c Nwulu, Mac (2 October 2018). "ESPN+ and ESPN Acquire Rights to Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana" (Press release). ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 14 May 2024.
  154. ^ Nwulu, Mac (18 September 2020). "ESPN+, ESPN Kick Off Exclusive Coverage of New Italian Serie A TIM Season" (Press release). ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  155. ^ a b c "CBS Sports acquires rights to Italy's Serie A for 3 seasons". Associated Press. 25 March 2021. Archived from the original on 25 March 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  156. ^ Sandomir, Richard (16 March 1994). "SOCCER; U.S. Pro League Moves Along By Signing a Television Deal". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  157. ^ a b c d Silverman, Alex; Ourand, John (14 June 2022). "MLS goes with Apple in landmark 10-year global media rights deal". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on 22 November 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  158. ^ Sim, Josh (13 December 2022). "Fox agrees MLS TV deal but ESPN shun rights". SportsPro. Archived from the original on 14 December 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  159. ^ Timmermann, Tom (20 October 1996). "Bad Weather Will Mar MLS Showcase Game". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. D14. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2019 – via Newspapers.com. It will be broadcast live on ABC (Channel 30) at 2:30 p.m....The ABC announcing team will be the one ESPN has used all season: Phil Schoen, Ty Keough and Bill McDermott. Roger Twibell anchors the coverage
  160. ^ Ourand, John (21 September 2009). "MLS Cup to appear in prime time on ESPN, opposite 'Sunday Night Football'". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  161. ^ "MLS, U.S. Soccer sign landmark TV and media rights partnerships with ESPN, FOX & Univision Deportes" (Press release). MLS Communications. 13 May 2024. Archived from the original on 9 December 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  162. ^ Hipes, Patrick (28 August 2019). "Major League Soccer's MLS Cup To Air This Year On ABC". Deadline. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  163. ^ Brito, Santa (19 November 2021). "Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs on ABC and ESPN Networks Begin Sunday" (Press release). ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  164. ^ Lewis, Jon (6 August 2009). "ESPN to televise EPL matches in U.S." Sports Media Watch. Archived from the original on 22 September 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  165. ^ "ESPN Agrees To Air Up To 48 Live EPL Games In U.S. For '09-10 Season". Sports Business Journal. 17 August 2009. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  166. ^ "ESPN Licenses Multimedia Rights to Select Barclays Premier League Matches in the U.S. from Fox Sports International for Three Seasons Through 2012-13". ESPN Press Room. 11 August 2010. Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  167. ^ Nwulu, Mac (16 August 2012). "ESPN Presents the Barclays Premier League 2012-13 Season". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024. ESPN2 was also the English-language television home for the league's Monday night matches in 1996–97 and 1997-98.
  168. ^ Nwulu, Mac (24 April 2012). "Battle for First in Premier League – Manchester City vs. Manchester United – Live on ESPN". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 2 June 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  169. ^ "NBC wins $250m rights to broadcast English Premier League in US". The Guardian. 28 October 2012. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  170. ^ "Fox wins US TV rights to Champions League". The Washington Times. 30 March 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  171. ^ Nuñez, Gabriela (15 August 2014). "ESPN to Carry Select UEFA Champions League Matches Across Platforms" (Press release). ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  172. ^ Ourand, John (24 February 2017). "Turner's soccer shocker". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  173. ^ "EURO 2008™ Media Rights Ex-Europe awarded" (PDF) (Press release). UEFA. 8 December 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 December 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2024. ESPN has been granted the rights for North America, including pay rights in Latin America. The deal guarantees an extensive coverage of EURO 2008™ on the ESPN network including two games on ABC. ESPN continued commitment into European football will help UEFA European Championships to reach new heights in a market, where interest in football is growing significantly.
  174. ^ Nwulu, Mac (7 June 2021). "ESPN Kicks Off 140 Hours of Live UEFA EURO 2020 Coverage This Week" (Press release). ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  175. ^ Ourand, John (18 October 2021). "SBJ Media: Fox set to grab UEFA European Championships". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on 19 June 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  176. ^ "ESPN has rights for 2012, 2016 Euros". ESPN.com. 31 January 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2024. As part of the deal, ESPN3.com and ESPN Deportes will televise the 2013 UEFA Women's Championship
  177. ^ Nwulu, Mac (9 June 2022). "ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+ to Present All 31 UEFA Women's EURO 2022 Matches, July 6 – July 31" (Press release). ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  178. ^ Cahillane, Mollie (23 June 2024). "Fox snags rights to Women's Euros next summer". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  179. ^ Hofheimer, Bill (2 March 2015). "The Basketball Tournament Secures Television Deal With ESPN". ESPN Press Room. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  180. ^ Lucia, Joe (17 July 2023). "ESPN announces coverage plans for the 2023 The Basketball Tournament (TBT)". Awful Announcing. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  181. ^ Lucia, Joe (18 April 2024). "TBT shifting to Fox Sports in multi-year agreement". Awful Announcing. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  182. ^ "ESPN networks to deliver full slate of 2022 CFL action". CFL.ca. 8 June 2022. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  183. ^ "New This Season: The CFL on CBS Sports Network". CFL.ca. 27 April 2023. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  184. ^ Reynolds, Mike (29 June 2020). "NBC Sports back on tee with US Open Golf championships as FOX exits". S&P Global. Retrieved 4 December 2024. NBC broadcast the U.S. Open and other USGA championships from 1995 to 2014.
  185. ^ Oldham, Stuart (7 August 2013). "Fox Signs 12-Year Deal for Golf's U.S. Open". Variety. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  186. ^ "TNT signs $30M deal with Royal & Ancient". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 8 October 2002. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  187. ^ Show, Jon; Ourand, John (21 July 2008). "British Open to go all-cable in ESPN deal". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  188. ^ Ourand, John; Lombardo, John (8 June 2015). "NBC, Golf Channel ending ABC/ESPN British Open reign". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  189. ^ Ourand, John (12 October 2015). "NBC getting British Open a year early". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on 26 November 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  190. ^ Scheinman, John (4 October 2004). "ABC Will Broadcast Belmont Stakes Starting in 2006". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  191. ^ Drape, Joe (22 February 2011). "NBC to Broadcast All Three Triple Crown Races". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2024.