Pay-television sports broadcaster ESPN Brasil has extended its rights deal with the International Premier Tennis League.
The Maquina do Esporte website said ESPN’s new contract will cover the 2016 edition of the franchise-based competition, which will be held from December 2-18. ESPN has broadcast the event in Brazil since its inaugural edition in 2014.
The IPTL will be broadcast by the ESPN and ESPN + channels, along with receiving live streaming and on demand coverage via the WatchESPN service. Brazil’s Marcelo Melo (pictured) is set to return to defend the title he won with his Singapore Slammers team in 2015.
ESPN also holds rights in Brazil to tennis grand slams the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open.