ESPN, which posted some of its best World Cup soccer ratings ever this summer, has re-upped a TV rights deal with Major League Soccer through 2014. The sports channel is hoping the new commitment will
keep viewer interest in soccer high until next summer's Women's World Cup--and the men's championship in 2010. Under the deal, ESPN2 will televise 26 regular season MLS matches, most in prime time.
Right now, the majority of the games are shown on Saturday afternoons. ESPN2 will televise three MLS playoff games, while ABC will air three games: the season opener, the All-Star Game, and the MLS
Cup game. Says John Skipper, ESPN's evp for content: "I believe we can make the time between World Cups more relevant to soccer fans."
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