ESPN partners with Arena Football League

US sports broadcaster ESPN has agreed a deal to become a national rights partner of the Arena Football League.

The contract covers all of the US-based league’s 2019 regular-season games. All games will be streamed live on ESPN3 and the ESPN App, with the agreement commencing last Friday.

In addition, the deal will see ArenaBowl XXXII televised on ESPN2.

Zach Leonsis, senior vice-president of strategic initiatives at Monumental Sports and Entertainment, said: “Through this deal we are excited to have the opportunity to reach a greater number of fans while preserving access to media rights for our regional sports networks in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Albany and Columbus.