In a unanimous decision, all 18 member clubs of the Eredivisie, the premier professional football league in the Netherlands, have voted in favour of extending ESPN's domestic broadcasting rights until 2030. This decision comes after intense negotiations between the league and the global sports broadcaster.
ESPN has been the domestic broadcaster for the Eredivisie since 2013, following an initial deal struck in 2012. The current contract was set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season, prompting negotiations for an extension. The result of these negotiations was put to a vote by the 18 Eredivisie clubs, all of which supported the extension of the ESPN deal.
The scope of the deal
The extension of ESPN's broadcasting rights means that the Eredivisie will continue to be broadcast domestically on ESPN. In addition, the Eerste Divisie, Dutch football’s second-tier, and the Dutch Cup, known as the KNVB Beker, the country’s inter-tier cup competition, will also be broadcast on the same platform.
The deal also includes the Dutch Women’s Premier Division, known as the Eredivisie Vrouwen, further expanding the scope of ESPN's coverage of Dutch football.
The renewed media rights tie-up is expected to bring "substantial" revenue increases for the clubs involved in all three competitions, as well as the Eredivisie Vrouwen. This financial boost will likely have a significant impact on the clubs' operations, potentially allowing for more investments in infrastructure, player acquisitions, and youth development programs.
The unanimous decision by the Eredivisie clubs to extend ESPN's broadcasting rights until 2030 is a testament to the successful partnership between the broadcaster and the league. With the promise of substantial revenue increases, this deal is set to benefit not only the clubs but also the fans, who will continue to enjoy comprehensive coverage of Dutch football on ESPN.
This move also reinforces ESPN's position as a leading global sports broadcaster, further expanding its portfolio of football coverage.
Stick around for more Sports Streams News from Sporticos.
