SportsBusiness Daily — Sports Business Resources — your sports business news and information source. Learn More
Advanced
Home About Us Advertise With Us Marketplace/Classifieds College & University Program Subscribe/Trial My Account

Thursday
September 11, 2008
Print This Issue


 
MOST VIEWED STORIES
View the top 20 stories
 
Recent Issues
Sports Media

Iger Confirms ESPN May Bid On English Premier League TV Rights

ESPN May Challenge BSkyB For
TV Rights To English Premier League
Disney President & CEO Bob Iger yesterday indicated that ESPN "may consider mounting a challenge to BSkyB" next year by bidding for English Premier League (EPL) broadcast rights, according to Sabbagh & Andrews of the LONDON TIMES. The next auction of EPL rights is scheduled to start in January, and Iger said of ESPN, "I know they will look at the Premier League rights again, both individually and in partnership with others." ESPN is also "interested in pursuing the rights to show Premier League games" in the U.S., where the rights are currently held by Fox. Iger said that ESPN's coverage of this summer's Euro 2008 soccer tournament "proved extremely popular," with the net choosing to air the semifinals and the final on ABC. ESPN execs believe MLS Galaxy MF David Beckham's move to the U.S. "helped to lift interest in the sport" in the country. Meanwhile, Iger said that he had "earmarked about [$250-300M] for acquisitions in video games," and added that ESPN was "looking 'at companies that fit well within the Disney or ESPN brands'" (LONDON TIMES, 9/11).

Reader Comments

To post comments on this article, log in or register for a free trial.

Related Stories By Company Related Stories By Sport
Pacman Planning Legal Action Against ESPN
January 8, 2009 : SportsBusiness Daily

ESPN Swaps NBA, College Hoops Crews
January 8, 2009 : SportsBusiness Daily

ESPN To Televise OU-BYU Football Game
January 7, 2009 : SportsBusiness Daily

EPL Club Takeovers Start To Slow
January 7, 2009 : SportsBusiness Daily

Liverpool Owners Get More Time On Loan
January 6, 2009 : SportsBusiness Daily

Abramovich Off Top Of Soccer Rich List
January 9, 2009 : SportsBusiness Daily

EPL Club Takeovers Start To Slow
January 7, 2009 : SportsBusiness Daily

MLS Stadium In Philadelphia Still A Go
January 6, 2009 : SportsBusiness Daily

Liverpool Owners Get More Time On Loan
January 6, 2009 : SportsBusiness Daily

West Ham Facing March Deadline For Sale
January 2, 2009 : SportsBusiness Daily

ALSO IN THIS SECTION


A Publication of Street & Smith's Sports Group
Privacy Policy - Terms of Service
© 2009 Street & Smith's Sports Group
All Rights Reserved