ESPN has won the bidding for the U.S. TV and Internet rights to the upcoming Euro 2012 and Euro 2016 tournaments according to the Associated Press. ESPN has the rights to broadcasting the matches in all languages.
Exact details are limited right now, but ESPN plans on broadcasting all of the matches across it’s platform on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3.com, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio and ESPN Mobile.
During the last European Championship in 2008, ESPN did a spectacular job of broadcasting the event and it helped give the broadcaster an idea of the potential of the sport in the United States. ESPN followed up its success with Euro 2008 by launching the most impressive and comprehensive soccer broadcast in the history of the United States, namely the 2010 World Cup.
One of the reasons that ESPN’s coverage of Euro 2008 was so successful was due to commentators Derek Rae and Andy Gray. A lot has changed since then. Rae moved to the United Kingdom to work with ESPN UK. And Andy Gray was sacked by Sky Sports after making sexist remarks. However, the formula in Euro 2008 of hiring talented commentators gave ESPN, I believe, an idea of how to win over the masses, so don’t be surprised if you see ESPN hiring some of the top talent in Euro 2012 and Euro 2016 to lead the commentating of the tournament.
Which commentators, co-commentators and pundits would you like to see ESPN hire for Euro 2012? Share your suggestions in the comments section below.
