March 5 – ESPN has replaced Fox Sports as the Major League Soccer Spanish-language rights holder in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of a four-year deal until 2022.
The deal will extend to not just the regular MLS matches but also to the MLS Cup, the MLS All-Star Game and the MLS Cup. Games will be broadcast live on ESPN linear networks across Spanish-speaking Latin America and the Caribbean.
“This agreement with MLS reflects our steadfast commitment to deliver world-class soccer content to fans across Latin America and the Caribbean,” said ESPN’s vice president for programming and acquisitions Michael Walters. “We are thrilled to continue expanding our content offering and build on the success we have had over the years in showcasing marquee soccer leagues to fans in the region.”
The rights deal was agreed ahead of this weekend’s opening round of matches in the 2019 MLS season.
“This new agreement with ESPN will allow us to showcase these players to one of the most soccer-savvy audiences in the world,” said MLS vice president media Seth Bacon added. “We know that ESPN’s multi-platform approach to distributing content will give fans more opportunity than ever to engage with MLS.”
IMG also agreed a deal with Fox Sports to stream MLS matches via Strive Sport, the rights agency’s Scandinavian over-the-top (OTT) service, across Denmark, Norway and Sweden through 2022.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1714071180labto1714071180ofdlr1714071180owedi1714071180sni@o1714071180fni1714071180