Published on September 13th, 2024
Location: Global
USL & ESPN International Announce Deal to Bring USL Super League to Latin America and the Caribbean
Hamburg, September 13, 2024 – The United Soccer League (USL) announced today a multi-year broadcast agreement with ESPN International that will expand the league’s footprint across Mexico, Central America, South America, including Brazil, and the Caribbean, bringing USL action to regional audiences through ESPN linear channels and ESPN on Disney+.
The new deal includes a new two-year partnership with USL Super League, a Division One professional women’s soccer league that launched this month, as well as a two-year extension for USL’s men’s professional leagues, USL Championship and League One, starting in 2025.
The agreement was secured by SPORTFIVE, USL’s partner for media efforts outside the United States. In addition to expanding broadcast access, SPORTFIVE manages the league’s global betting and data rights, ensuring USL’s action reaches fans, sports betting platforms, and data outlets worldwide, further enhancing its global presence.
“We’ve built a strong and collaborative relationship with ESPN both domestically and internationally and are thrilled that it will continue with this new multi-year agreement,” said USL President Paul McDonough. “Expanding our reach across Latin America and the Caribbean presents a tremendous opportunity to share the passion and energy of our league to new soccer audiences.”
“Expanding our reach across Latin America and the Caribbean presents a tremendous opportunity to share the passion and energy of our league to new soccer audiences.”
Paul McDonough, President USL
“We are excited to enhance access to our matches for international fans,” said USL Super League President Amanda Vandervort. “We strive to be a global leader on and off the field, and this partnership marks a significant step forward in bringing the excitement of our new professional women’s league to a wider international audience, ensuring supporters in Latin America and beyond can enjoy every moment of the action.”
“At SPORTFIVE, we're proud to be part of this pivotal moment for USL as we expand the league's presence across Latin America and the Caribbean. This multi-year agreement with ESPN International not only showcases the incredible talent of the USL Super League, but also deepens the connection with soccer fans in the region. It's an exciting step forward in our mission to elevate USL's visibility on a global scale,” Adam Schneider, Vice President Media at SPORTFIVE added.
Every regular season and playoff match for both the women’s and men’s leagues will be available across LatAm through ESPN.
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About SPORTFIVE
SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency that delivers customer-centric solutions based on trust and transparency, deep industry experience and global relationships, digital intelligence and innovation. SPORTFIVE strategically and creatively connects brands, rightsholders, media platforms and fans to create and enable contemporary partnerships in sports.
While creating and growing long-term value for all, SPORTFIVE often leads the sports business into the future through innovative digital solutions and strives to be the most progressive and respected partner in sports.
Being at the centre of professional sport SPORTFIVE will use its unique position, in order to make a positive contribution to sustainability and to live up to the social and economic duty and responsibility, which sport and consequently all parties involved, also have. SPORTFIVE operates with a global mindset and network of over 1,200 local experts based in 15 countries around the world, active in Football, Golf, Esports, Motorsport, Handball, Tennis, American Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Rugby, Olympics and Multi-Sport Events and many more.
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About USL
Impacting more than 200 communities, the United Soccer League (USL) is the largest professional soccer organization in North America. The USL is the first and only soccer organization in the United States to build a youth-to-professional pathway for both women and men within one ecosystem. That structure includes three professional leagues: USL Championship (men), USL League One (men) and USL Super League (women), which began in August 2024.
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About the USL Super League
The USL Super League is a Division One professional women’s soccer league, operated by the United Soccer League, the largest and fastest-growing pre-professional and professional soccer organization in the United States. The USL Super League’s vision is to be a global leader in women’s soccer on and off the field while providing more opportunities for more women in more communities. The inaugural clubs are Brooklyn FC, Carolina Ascent FC, Dallas Trinity FC, DC Power FC, Fort Lauderdale United FC, Lexington SC, Spokane Zephyr FC, and Tampa Bay Sun FC.
The USL Super League sits atop the USL’s distinct youth-to-pro women’s pathway. The complete pathway includes the USL W League, the leading pre-professional women’s soccer league in the United States; the USL Academy, an advanced talent-development platform connected to professional and pre-professional USL clubs; and USL Youth, a premier national youth competition.
Press contacts
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Louisa Grotkamp
Senior Manager Marketing Communications
louisa.grotkamp@sportfive.com
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