America's Cup - ESPN International acquires rights in 41 territories

by America's Cup Media on 20 Aug 2015 ESPN has acquired the exclusive multiplatform rights to the 35th America’s Cup in more than 40 territories, including Mexico, Central America and South America, and non-exclusive rights in the Caribbean.

Under the agreement, ESPN International will air live racing and highlights of all events in the 35th America’s Cup, including the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in 2015 and 2016; the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers and Challenger Playoffs; the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup; and the America’s Cup Match presented by Louis Vuitton from Bermuda in May and June 2017.

“We’re happy to be working with the ESPN team again to build on the strength of what we achieved together in the last America’s Cup,” said Harvey Schiller, the Commercial Commissioner of the America’s Cup. “This agreement will bring America’s Cup racing to millions of fans in Mexico, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for ESPN International to broadcast one of the marquee sailing events in world sport,” said Tim Bunnell, senior vice president of production, programming, marketing and advertising sales of ESPN International. “Fans will be able to watch live and highlight programming of the America’s Cup on a variety of platforms, including television, broadband and mobile.

ESPN will air the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in Gothenburg, Sweden, with racing on August 29-30, 2015.

About ESPN International
ESPN International is a division of ESPN, Inc., which has grown to include ownership — in whole or in part — of 24 television networks outside of the United States, as well as a variety of additional businesses that allow ESPN to reach sports fans in 61 countries and territories across all seven continents. ESPN International business entities include television, radio, print, internet, broadband, wireless, consumer products, and event management. The company and its holdings maintain offices or production facilities in key locations around the world including Bangalore, Bristol, CT, Buenos Aires, Bogota, London, Mexico City, Miami, FL, Melbourne, Mumbai, New York City, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo and Toronto. Since 1983, ESPN (originally founded in Bristol, Connecticut, in 1979) has been growing around the world, establishing itself as the leading global sports media brand. The company’s philosophy to global growth is to always serve sports fans and be locally relevant to them, with content and products that tap into their great passion and dedication.