Madridistas, Culés, Colchoneros, Sevillistas and anyone that enjoys seeing the beautiful game played beautifully in one of the world’s most awe-inspiring countries rejoice: ESPN is reportedly on the verge of acquiring the U.S. rights to LaLiga!
According to the report from World Soccer Talk, ESPN would begin its six-year coverage with the start of the 2021-22 season. That would move events like El Clásico to ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes, as well the potential for marquee broadcasts on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.
At $5.99 per month, ESPN+ is already one of the best deals around. With regard to soccer, the streaming network boasts a stable that includes the Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, the FA Cup, Copa del Rey, Coppa Italia, the EFL Championship and Scottish Premiership. Adding LaLiga and weekly broadcasts of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético would simply mean making a great thing even better.
beIN SPORTS’ broadcasting of Spain’s top division has left a lot to be desired. Despite providing coverage since 2012 — a golden era that coincided with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo going head-to-head in sport’s greatest individual and team rivalry — LaLiga’s popularity stateside has been largely outstripped by both the Premier League and Bundesliga.
The network’s current deal with LaLiga runs through 2024, but the league’s North American office is frustrated by beIN SPORTS’ unavailability on both Comcast Xfinity and DirecTV.
The network has also been preposterously bad at sharing highlights on social media over the past decade, at times appearing to boguard some of the division’s greatest moments in favor of receiving a few click-throughs.
There’s no reason for Americans to be incredibly well-versed in the structural layout of the Britannia but to have no idea what in the hell a San Mamés is, but that’s the law of the land around here.
LaLiga loyalists, however, will be desperate to hear that beIN SPORTS’ premier commentary team of Ray Hudson and Phil Schoen also make the switch to ESPN+. From there, we can only hope that the Copa Libertadores and CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers will be joining them shortly.
