MLS fans want ESPN to broadcast league in next media rights deal

Soccer fans in the United States have voted for ESPN and ESPN+ as their preferred destination for the next Major League Soccer media rights deal, according to a poll conducted by World Soccer Talk.

Respondents chose between ESPN/ESPN+, CBS Sports/Paramount+, FOX Sports, fuboTV, Turner Sports, Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime.

As of press time, 37.1% want games on ESPN and ESPN+, followed by Turner Sports (HBO Max, Discovery+, etc) at 18.6%, 15.15% for CBS Sports and Paramount+, and then fuboTV at 9.1%.

MLS fans want ESPN, but it’s complicated

MLS’ current media rights deal ends this year. During the past two years, the league has been meeting with broadcasters interested in acquiring the rights for 2023 and beyond. Most recently, MLS Commissioner Don Garber expected a deal by the end of March 2022. With that deadline fast approaching, and reports that the league has been unable to meet its asking price, it’s quite possible the league may delay the decision.

The fact that the majority of soccer fans prefer ESPN over the other broadcasters may be a result of the popularity of ESPN+. At $6.99 per month, the streaming service offers an array of soccer leagues, including out-of-market MLS games.

More than 537 soccer fans completed the poll.