The Fire were the only MLS club whose local broadcasts aired exclusively on ESPN+ this past seasonGETTY IMAGES
The Fire said that they "aren't having discussions with ESPN+ about exiting or altering" the three-year deal they signed right before the '18 season and "haven't opened talks with anybody about a contract" for '21 and beyond, according to Brian Sandalow of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. The club added that it is "getting more viewers on ESPN+" than it was on Comcast SportsNet (now NBC Sports Chicago), and that average viewership for games grew 124% from '18-19. The team also said that it was "fifth across the league in average ESPN+ viewership per game -- up from sixth last season -- and up from 17th to fifth in average new subscribers per game." Sandalow notes those numbers "don't appear bad, but perhaps they underscore the team's limited reach because the Fire are the only MLS club whose local broadcasts aired exclusively on ESPN+" in '19. As they prepare for their move to Soldier Field next season, the Fire are "trying to reintroduce themselves to Chicago," and will see if the ESPN+ deal "can help them gain more exposure" in the market (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 10/27).
GOING LOCAL: In DC, Steven Goff noted DC United is "in talks with both traditional TV and streaming services for local coverage next season after cutting ties after less than one year with FloSports." Local availability will "grow more prevalent next year without national TV wanting" now-departed F Wayne Rooney "in the spotlight" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/28).
