ESPN has reached an agreement with Fox Sports International to televise a package of Barclays Premier League (BPL) matches in the U.S. for the 2009-2010 season beginning Saturday, August 15, through the completion of the season in May 2010.
Under the agreement, ESPN2, currently in 98 million U.S. television homes, will offer fans up to 48 live BPL matches this season, including live presentation of the 12 Monday afternoon (U.S. E T ) matches. ESPN2 will feature one match each Saturday at 7:45 a.m. and select Saturday matches at 10 a.m. (when there are no matches at 7:45 a.m.)
“The Barclays Premier League is one of the crown jewels of professional sports throughout the world,” said Scott Guglielmino, vice president of programming, ESPN. “We’re pleased to work with Fox Sports International to bring some of the league’s marquee matchups to ESPN2 in our continued efforts to serve soccer fans in the United States .”
This agreement marks the return of the Premier Leagueto ESPN in the United States . For two seasons (1996–97 and 1997-98), ESPN2 was the English-language television home for the league’s Monday night matches.
The schedule through September 2009:
Sat., Aug. 15
7:40 a.m.
Chelsea vs. Hull City
ESPN2
Sat., Aug. 22
9:55 a.m.
Wigan Athletic vs.Manchester United
ESPN2
Mon., Aug. 24
2:55 p.m.
Liverpool vs. Aston Villa
ESPN2
Sat., Aug. 29
7:40 a.m.
Chelsea vs. Burnley
ESPN2
Sat., Sept. 12
9:55 a.m.
Liverpool vs. Burnley
ESPN2
Sat., Sept. 19
7:40 a.m.
Burnley vs.Sunderland
ESPN2
Sat., Sept. 26
7:40 a.m.
Portsmouth vs. Everton
ESPN2
Mon., Sept. 28
2:55 p.m.
Manchester Cityvs. West Ham
ESPN2
