Pay-television broadcaster ESPN has acquired exclusive rights in the UK, Ireland, Canada and sub-Saharan Africa for the Australian Football League, the country’s top Aussie rules championship, in a three year deal, from 2012 to 2014.
The deal also includes non-exclusive live rights in the Caribbean and Israel.
The agreement includes this season, which got underway last week. ESPN will show at least one live match per round during the 23-round regular season, as well as the finals series and the grand final.
ESPN, which was dislodged as the US broadcaster of the AFL by pay-television channel Fox Soccer Plus last month, was the rights-holder in the other territories covered by the new deal.