American sports broadcaster ESPN is “absolutely interested” in the UK rights to broadcast English Premier League football matches, according to ESPN president George Bodenheimer.

In an interview with the FT newspaper, Bodenheimer described the Premier League as a “fabulous property … we are absolutely interested” in bidding for its UK broadcast rights, which next become available at auction in 2009.

Bodenheimer said ESPN wanted to expand because it was “bullish” on its prospects in the United States, where it has long-term deals to broadcast American football, basketball and baseball matches.

“We’re going to work on getting as local as we can,” said Bodenheimer. “We want to deliver product that is relevant in each country. It’s a country-by-country approach. We want to be investors wherever the top sports product is.”