ESPN acquires rights to show live FA Cup matches in Britain for 4 seasons

ESPN acquires FA Cup rights in Britain

LONDON — ESPN signed a four-year deal Tuesday to broadcast live FA Cup matches in Britain to fill the void left by collapsed network Setanta.

The contract to show 25 matches each season starting in 2010-11 is worth around $95 million dollars over four years, a person familiar with the deal said on condition of anonymity because neither side was releasing financial details.

It is the English Football Association’s first deal with ESPN’s British operation.

“As a global broadcaster, who have already demonstrated a strong presence in the UK, ESPN will give our football great visibility and we look forward to an excellent partnership with them,” FA chief executive Ian Watmore said.

Since Setanta’s British network collapsed in June, the FA had been trying to find a new broadcast partner to work alongside free TV station ITV.

This season’s games will continue to be shown only by ITV in Britain.

The new contract also includes rights to show England Under-21 home fixtures and the women’s Super League, which launches in 2011.

ESPN is owned by The Walt Disney Co.