US sports broadcaster ESPN has agreed a multi-year deal with the Canadian Football League for the American football league’s exclusive rights in the United States.
Under the terms of the deal, ESPN will broadcast at least 86 games in 2014 with 17 or more contests to be televised on the ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNews channels, including the 102nd edition of the season-ending Grey Cup. An additional 69 games will be carried on ESPN’s live video-on-demand channel, ESPN3.
The agreement marks an expanded relationship between ESPN and the CFL, with ESPN3 having carried games in the US since 2008. The new contract commenced with the game between the Calgary Stampeders and Montreal Alouettes, which was broadcast by ESPN2 on June 28. Canadian pay-television sports broadcaster TSN will work with ESPN on game productions.
CFL games presented on ESPN channels will also be available to audiences in Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific Rim.