ESPN+, the OTT sports streaming service, has struck a deal with the US Soccer Federation for exclusive rights to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the country’s top club knockout competition.
All games will air on ESPN+, from 2019 until 2022. The deal, negotiated by USSF’s commercial partner Soccer United Marketing, includes rights in all languages.
“We are extremely pleased by the commitment from ESPN+ to broadcast every game of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the next several years,” said US Soccer chief executive Dan Flynn. “This landmark agreement demonstrates US Soccer’s commitment to making soccer the preeminent sport in the United States and is the result of growing audience demand for soccer in the US It will provide a national platform for more fans to follow the game in their communities throughout the country.”
ESPN+ also has the rights to Major League Soccer, the USL Championship, USL League One, and a host of foreign leagues and competitions.
The latest deal will provide significant exposure to the US Open Cup and the amateur and lower-league clubs taking part.