Posts tagged Setanta
Fans in Britain Cringe as ESPN Takes Over Broadcasting Soccer
Jul 6th
PARIS — An advertising campaign for Budweiser in Britain a few years ago spoofed fears of what might happen to soccer if American television broadcasters had their druthers: “soccertainment,” complete with enhancements like multiple balls, monster trucks and loudmouth commentators.
The spots ended with Budweiser expressing second thoughts: “You do the football; we’ll do the beer.”
Now an American cable broadcaster, ESPN, is poised to “do the football” in Britain. Last month, ESPN bought the rights to show live English Premier League matches, picking them up after the British arm of Setanta, an Irish pay-TV company, collapsed. So is it time for British soccer More >
Setanta on the cusp of death
Jun 20th
BROADCASTER Setanta last night lost the right to screen live football next season after failing to pay the Premier League £10million.
It left the sports pay-TV company one step closer to administration.
The Premier League will now sell its 46 live games for next season to the highest bidder. A decision is expected next week.
The move comes after last-ditch efforts to bail out the Irish company failed.
American tycoon Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries found Setanta had an outstanding VAT bill of up to £50million.
Administrators Deloitte could now be called in within days.
Setanta issued a statement last night saying it will “consider its More >
