ESPN signs Special Olympics rights extension through to 2027

Pan-regional sports broadcaster ESPN has agreed a deal with Special Olympics Unified Sports to extend their broadcast agreement until 2027.

ESPN will continue to be the global broadcaster of the Special Olympics World Games, the World Winter Games and USA Games.

ESPN first broadcast the Special Olympics in 2015 and the new deal will cover six tournaments across its duration, with two games apiece from each of the three events.

Special Olympics chief executive Mary Davis said: “This relationship is a catalyst for inclusion. ESPN is telling the stories of Special Olympics athletes at World Games, USA Games, and at some of the over 100,000 Special Olympics events happening around the world every year.

“Through its storytelling, media platforms and grant-making, ESPN is building positive attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities and showing the world that the revolution is inclusion.”

The deal comes following the conclusion of ESPN’s previous three-year agreement with the Special Olympics which saw the broadcaster commit to a global sponsorship agreement alongside its broadcast agreement.