ESPN has struck broadcast rights deal to deliver three seasons of the UEFA Europa League. The new ESPN channel in Europe will broadcast UEFA Europa League from September 2009 until 2012.
The UEFA Europa League, previously known as UEFA Cup is a competition for eligible European football clubs. The second most prestigious European football contest after the UEFA Champions League is an annual football cup competition for European club teams organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Clubs qualify for the competition based on their performance in their national leagues and cup competitions.
The biggest clubs from across Europe will compete to reach the Finals in May each year, starting with Hamburg, Germany in 2010. Alongside current UEFA Cup holders Shakhtar Donetsk, the UEFA Europa League Group stages will see British sides Celtic, Everton and Fulham competing with likes of Roma, Lazio, Valencia, Werder Bremen, Hamburg, Ajax, PSV, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon.
The group stage will include 48 clubs, 10 of which were eliminated in the playoff round of UEFA Champions League qualifiers. The ties will begin on 17th September and will be broadcast on Wednesday and Thursday nights throughout the season.
The UEFA Europa League spokesperson said, “We are delighted to have signed this deal with ESPN in respect of the UEFA Europa League rights in the United Kingdom. ESPN’s new sports channel complements the launch of this exciting competition and will provide UK football fans with additional top quality live football.”
Jeroen Oerlemans, Vice President, TV Channels Europe, Middle East and Africa said, “We’re delighted to be able to broadcast the UEFA Europa League from this season and are looking forward to having some of the best clubs in Europe competing against each other on ESPN. This year we look forward to following Everton, Fulham and Celtic. This deal shows that we continue to build a fantastic offering of local and international sport for fans around the UK.”
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