Quote:
Originally Posted by Jameseh
ESPN still has FA Cup next year.
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The BT website does specifically state that the FA Cup will be on ESPN.
It got me thinking about TV rights, and what BT have actually acquired. After rooting around in other forums, Twitter, Facebook and news pieces a fairly interesting picture is emerging.
There is a suggestion that any sports that BT have not purchased the rights for individually, that are currently held by ESPN, will remain on ESPN. For example the FA Cup contract doesn't expire until 2014 so the FA Cup will remain on ESPN. It would also partly explain why BT are having to keep the ESPN brand alive. The following link also seems to suggest that the Europa League, contracted to ESPN until 2015, will remain on ESPN:
http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/d...g-with-espn%3F
"We will have at least two live matches each match week. ITV have the first two picks. However, ESPN has multiple picks and have very often included great UK clubs. For instance this season: Newcastle, Chelsea and Liverpool. English teams also drop into the Europa League if they come third in their Champions League group, like Chelsea have done this year and Manchester clubs did last year."
So if there is any truth to existing contracted sports remaining on ESPN, what will be on BT Sports and what will hypothetically remain on ESPN? It's all down to the deals BT have snapped up outwith the take over of ESPN.
BT have bought these rights, which had expired, previously owned in full or in part by ESPN :
June 2012 - English Premiership
September 2012 - Premiership Rugby
October 2012 - Seria A (Italian football)
October 2012 - Ligue 1 (French football)
October 2012 - Brasileiro (Brazilian football)
October 2012 - MLS (American soccer)
May 2013 - UFC
ESPN still have the following deals in place:
FA Cup until 2014
Europa League until 2015
SPL (Scottish football) until 2017
Bundesliga (German football) until 2015
Another thing I've noticed is BT Sports keep on mentioning the same 3 American sports when people are asking what will happen to ESPN America. the 3 sports mentioned are College Basketball, College Football and NASCAR.
There are some interesting quotes here:
http://tv.espn.co.uk/gb/espl/espn-ne...n-next-season/
IN OTHER COUNTRIES
"Separate from the agreement with BT, ESPN is proposing that ESPN America may wind down in 2013. At this stage it is only a proposal and is subject to an appropriate consultation and review process."
This looks like ESPN America across the whole of Europe is about to bite the dust.
So in summary I think ESPN might actually stay in the XL package showing FA Cup, Europa League, SPL, Bundesliga, College Basketball, College Football and NASCAR.