The networks have made a cash payment of $425million for TV rights to all FIFA events for the US territory from 2007 to 2014 including the two FIFA World Cup final competitions.
The deal covers a wide range of media categories, including multimedia broadband internet and mobile telephony.
In addition to the cash amount, ABC/ESPN and UNIVISION will run substantial promotions for FIFA events and the FIFA brand across the USA during the entire period of the contract.
ESPN’s network of cooperation – in particular with other commercial affiliates such as Electronic Arts – will be used to support the cross-promotion of football and FIFA’s assets across the USA using a variety of channels.
“ABC/ESPN and UNIVISION came to us with a comprehensive package that will not only guarantee coverage of the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and 2014 and all other FIFA tournaments in the men’s and women’s games but also promote football and the FIFA brand even at those times when no tournaments are taking place.
"With these two well-known companies we have ensured that images of our events will be seen by the widest possible audience across the USA’s steadily growing football market. I am extremely happy with this momentous deal. It is a major milestone in our new TV approach,” said FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter.
ABC Sports and ESPN have exclusive English language rights to cover the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in full within the US territory, as well as the FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2007 and 2011 and all 11 other FIFA events.
UNIVISION has secured the equivalent Spanish language options.
