ESPN Lands Rugby Super League Rights For 360 Service

By John Ourand, Staff Writer

Continuing its trend of picking up broadband rights to niche sports for U.S. audiences, ESPN signed a deal with the Rugby Super League for its broadband service ESPN360.com. Coverage starts Saturday at 12:30 ET with the Rugby Super League Grand Final between St. Helens and the Leeds Rhinos. Starting in the '08 season, the service will offer 60 Super League matches and 20 minor league games, both live and on replay. The league, which is primarily based in Britain with a team in France, plays its regular season from February to September.