English Premiership sells Setanta rights to ESPN

June 23, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – The English Premier League has awarded the rights to 46 of its live games next season to US-based broadcaster ESPN, after they were forfeited by troubled Irish channel Setanta, it said.

The Disney-owned broadcaster has been awarded the live games for next season, and also 23 matches per season previously held by Setanta for the following three seasons, until 2013, it said.

“The Premier League is extremely pleased to have added ESPN as a UK rights holder,” said Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore.

“They have a formidable worldwide reputation and experience in sports and I am sure we will enjoy a long and fruitful relationship with them.”

The English Premier League invited bids for the games after Setanta failed last Friday to make a scheduled payment of 30 million pounds (35 million euros, 49 million dollars), thereby losing its rights to broadcast 46 EPL games.

Scudamore welcomed the fact that an alternative broadcast partner was found quickly. “The speed at which we have been able to conclude this deal means that the preparations for next season will be able to continue without interruption,” he said.

“Fans and clubs will have certainty over the broadcasting of Barclays Premier League matches for the next four seasons.”

ESPN International head Russell Wolff said: “Premier League football is one of the world’s most sought-after sports properties. We are very excited to be working with the Premier League and expanding our businesses in the UK.

“This move demonstrates our commitment to British sports fans and our ongoing commitment to delivering football to fans around the world across a variety of media.”

As well as ESPN, Sky television had been expected to bid for some of the EPL games forfeited by Setanta.

Under an agreement with the European Commission, the English Premier League cannot sell all its live matches to a single broadcaster.

As well as losing the EPL games, Setanta suffered another blow Monday when the Scottish Premier League (SPL) said the broadcaster had failed to make a three million pound payment in time, despite extending a deadline.

“We set three deadlines and we wanted to work with Setanta who have been a great partner of ours,” said SPL boss Lex Gold, adding that the broadcaster had been given “every possible chance to work through the problems that they had.

“That process has been lengthy and intensive but the deadline today was the final deadline,” he lamented.

The Scottish Premiership, which is far less lucrative than the EPL, was open to offers, he said. “We are now actively engaging in the process of selling our domestic broadcasting rights for next season and beyond.”

Setanta still holds rights to other major fixtures including some England matches, the FA Cup, US PGA golf and Guinness Premiership rugby from next year.

Arsenal complete Arshavin deal

February 4, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Arsenal’s new signing Andrei Arshavin had a message for the Gunners’ fans as he set off on his new career at the Emirates Stadium: "Trust in me and Arsenal."

Arshavin, who hopes to help bring silverware to the Arsenal sideboard after some barren years, also said it had been a "dream move" and told Sky television cameras he been a "Gooner," or Arsenal supporter, for some time.

Arsenal confirmed the that the Russian playmaker had signed for the Premier League side on a "long-term" contract, believed to be three-and-a-half years.

The London club agreed a deal for the player with his former club, Zenit St Petersburg, just minutes before Monday’s 1700 GMT transfer deadline and had to wait until Tuesday for the move to be ratified by the Premier League.

Arsenal have not yet released information about Arshavin’s fee, but it is believed to be around 15 million pounds.

The club have not won a major competition since they triumphed over Manchester United in the FA Cup final in 2005, one year after they went unbeaten to claim the Premier League title.

The 27-year-old is adamant that he has joined one of the best clubs in the world and is sure he can help add silverware to the Gunners trophy cabinet.

The Russian revealed the prospect of playing under manager Arsene Wenger was one of many reasons why he had his heart set on the move.

Arshavin had been linked with a move to Barcelona after he shot to fame following his outstanding performances during Euro 2008, but the Russian said he was happy to join the Gunners, thanks partly due to Wenger.

Arshavin told Arsenal TV: "I moved because I like the Arsenal style, Wenger as a coach and I like some of their players."

The club are thought to have been locked in negotiations with Zenit over the switch since the transfer window re-opened.

"I followed each game and from the moment when I met Arsene Wenger," he added. "He told me every time I talked to him, he said: ‘I want you to come to Arsenal.’ He had confidence in me."

When asked if he had a message to the Arsenal fans, the 2006 Russian Footballer of the Year answered: "Trust in me and Arsenal."

Written by: AFP