Fans of ESPN.com columnist Bill Simmons, aka "The Sports Guy," may remember his short-lived dalliance with the English Premier League three years ago. In the lengthy but entertaining style that is his trademark, Simmons analyzed the pros and cons of supporting all 20 EPL teams, counting them down in reverse order. In the end he selected Tottenham over Liverpool, promising to cheer on the London outfit through the upcoming season.
And that was the end of that. Other than a couple passing mentions, Simmons was never heard from again on the topic of the Premier League. But now his interest in the game appears to be on again.
Apparently inspired by a visit to last week's USA-Mexico World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Azteca (a great column if you haven't already read it,) Simmons was tweeting about Sunday's Liverpool-Tottenham game, a meeting of his top two squads from the '06 search.
A couple thoughts here. Simmons, one of ESPN.com's most popular columnists, is hopping back on the Premier League bandwagon at the same time that his employer landed the rights to air games in the States. Coincidence or the latest example of the ever-present integration of ESPN properties? My hunch is it's the latter.
Second, in his column Simmons states that Steven Gerrard was "ridiculously, dominantly good in so many different ways," Sunday against Tottenham. Other than a well-taken penalty kick, this was far from one of Gerrard's finer afternoons. Just wait until Simmons watches Stevie G bringing his A-game.
So will the Sports Guy's burgeoning interest in soccer take root this season? We'll have to wait and see. But Bill, if by some chance you read this blog, feel free to join us at The Globe (rated by ussoccer.com as the "Best Soccer Bar in America," to watch some games if you're ever in Chicago.
Showing posts with label Media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Media. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
ESPN to Air EPL Games in the USA
Like finding out on Christmas Eve that your parents did buy you that awesome present you wanted, ESPN has announced on the eve of the English Premier League season that EPL games will indeed be shown in the U.S. EPL Talk has the late-breaking story of tomorrow's opening day broadcast of Chelsea and Hull City on the deuce.
Since the summer when ESPN scooped up the U.K. rights to the Setanta package, it was unclear which, if any games would be shown in the States. Now it appears that early Saturday and Sunday games will be a part of the worldwide leader's stateside airings throughout the season. Hooray!
Update: The AP story on the ESPN deal.
Since the summer when ESPN scooped up the U.K. rights to the Setanta package, it was unclear which, if any games would be shown in the States. Now it appears that early Saturday and Sunday games will be a part of the worldwide leader's stateside airings throughout the season. Hooray!
Update: The AP story on the ESPN deal.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
What Will be on Setanta Sports?
Many industry observers were surprised earlier this year when Fox Soccer Channel not only held off ESPN's bid to swipe the US television rights to the English Premier League, but wrestled the Champions League away from the worldwide leader in sports. But ESPN may be ready to get back in the game as the financial difficulties at Setanta Sports could leave the broadcast rights to 46 EPL games up for grabs.
Setanta owes the EPL £30m this Friday, and if the broadcaster can't meet the deadline, its package of games will go back on the market. Setanta have been in discussions with potential buyers and while ESPN has denied interest in a full acquisition, they'd undoubtedly pounce at a package of games they were shut out of in the last round of bidding.
What a change in rights holders would mean to American audiences remains to be seen. Setanta is available on DirecTV, Dish Network and digital cable packages in select markets. Despite ESPN's massive domestic presence, they could choose to show their EPL package only to international audiences as they've done with other soccer properties. Don't expect ESPN to start airing Premier League matches in lieu of college football or college basketball.
Aside from the business implications, the world also awaits the fate of "the Special One" and his crew from Special1TV. The boldest prediction on Setanta's future can be found on Twitter, where the Mourinho-look alike told a fellow tweeter "Shut up...Setanta is for the staying."
Update: I received a message via Twitter Wednesday morning from "Setanta US" stating "Setanta US is going on with business as usual." I'm still hoping the Special One will tell me to shut up.
Setanta owes the EPL £30m this Friday, and if the broadcaster can't meet the deadline, its package of games will go back on the market. Setanta have been in discussions with potential buyers and while ESPN has denied interest in a full acquisition, they'd undoubtedly pounce at a package of games they were shut out of in the last round of bidding.
What a change in rights holders would mean to American audiences remains to be seen. Setanta is available on DirecTV, Dish Network and digital cable packages in select markets. Despite ESPN's massive domestic presence, they could choose to show their EPL package only to international audiences as they've done with other soccer properties. Don't expect ESPN to start airing Premier League matches in lieu of college football or college basketball.
Aside from the business implications, the world also awaits the fate of "the Special One" and his crew from Special1TV. The boldest prediction on Setanta's future can be found on Twitter, where the Mourinho-look alike told a fellow tweeter "Shut up...Setanta is for the staying."Update: I received a message via Twitter Wednesday morning from "Setanta US" stating "Setanta US is going on with business as usual." I'm still hoping the Special One will tell me to shut up.
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