American cable sports channel ESPN has held numerous broadcasting rights for live and tape-delayed sporting events across many different sports in various levels of competition. ESPN was first launched in 1979 by Bill Rasmussen as a 24-hour national sports network dedicated to live sports and highlights.
In 1984, the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) purchased ESPN from Rasmussen and Getty Oil. Initially, ABC Sports and ESPN operated as separate entities. However, ESPN started to integrate into ABC Sports once The Walt Disney Company purchased Capital Cities/ABC in 1996. During this time, ESPN and ABC began to jointly bid on sports broadcasting rights with ESPN airing and producing games for ABC under a time-buy agreement. This integration was fully completed in August 2006, when ABC fully adopted ESPN's production staff, music, graphics, and broadcast rights. ESPN sports broadcasts that air on ABC now air under the branding ESPN on ABC.
As ESPN has acquired more sports rights, it has launched more linear channels and outlets to help broadcast sports. ESPN launched ESPN2 in 1993 initially as a youthful alternative to ESPN, but now serves as a secondary general sports channel to the main ESPN network. ESPNews was launched in 1996, serving as an overflow feed with limited live sports. ESPNU was launched in 2005 as a channel focused on college athletics with select ancillary general sports programming. Both the SEC Network and ACC Network were launched by ESPN as specialty channels for Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) sports, respectively. ESPN also offers Spanish-language sports broadcasts through ESPN Deportes.
ESPN also broadcasts sports on online streaming platforms. ESPN3 previously served as the main streaming provider of ESPN games, which included exclusive programming and ancillary content. ESPN later launched its own over-the-top subscription streaming service named ESPN+ in 2018, which saw much of ESPN3's content moved to ESPN+ along with its own games exclusive to the service. ESPN+ also streams some ESPN on ABC telecasts. Both the SEC Network and ACC Network have online streaming components to their networks in SEC Network+ (SECN+) and ACC Network Extra (ACCNX), respectively.
Current rights Professional sports +SportLeague / Governing BodyProgram / CompetitionNetwork(s)ReleaseNotesAmerican footballNational Football League (NFL)Monday Night FootballABCESPNESPN DeportesESPN+2006–present ESPN exclusive from 2006 to 2019. Select Monday nights simulcast on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+ since 2020. Saturday Week 18 doubleheader broadcast since 2021. Select Monday nights presented as doubleheaders with three separate games airing on ESPN and ABC simultaneously since 2022. One game per season streamed exclusively on ESPN+ since 2022.Pro BowlABCESPNESPN DeportesESPN+1988–1994,2003–2005,<br/ >2010,<br/ >2015–presentAcquired rights from ABC in 2003, acquired from CBS in 2010, direct since 2015NFL playoffs and Super BowlABCESPNESPN+2015–presentOne wild card game broadcast since 2014–15 NFL playoffs. One divisional round game broadcast since 2023–24 NFL playoffs. Super Bowl LXI marks the first Super Bowl to air on ABC since 2006 (produced by ABC Sports) and the first to be produced by ESPN.NFL Network GamesNFL Network2026–presentFive european games and a late-season Saturday doubleheaderNFL draftABCESPNESPN Deportes1980–presentESPN produces a separate broadcast for ABC since 2019.United Football League (UFL)UFL on ESPNABCESPNESPN2ESPN+2024–presentBroadcast contract acquired from XFL–USFL mergerAssociation football/SoccerUEFAUEFA Women's Champions LeagueESPN Deportes/ESPN+2025–presentSpanish–language rightsThe Football Association (FA)FA CupESPN+2018–presentWomen's FA CupESPN+FA Community ShieldESPN+2018–presentWomen's FA Community ShieldESPN+2020–presentWomen's Super LeagueESPN2ESPN+2024–present57 matches stream on ESPN+ with a minimum of four matches airing on linear ESPN channels.Liga Nacional de Fútbol ProfesionalLa LigaABCESPNESPN2ESPN DeportesESPN+2009–2012,2021–presentSelect matches previously broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes from 2009 to 2012 in sublicensing agreement with GOL TV. Full broadcast rights since 2021:
All matches available to stream on ESPN+. Spanish-language coverage on ESPN Deportes. Select matches broadcast on ABC and ESPN.DFB3. LigaESPN32023–presentNational Women's Soccer League (NWSL)NWSL on ESPNABCESPNESPN2ESPN3ESPNEWSESPN+2014,2017–2019,2024–present ESPN broadcast nine games, six on ESPN2 and three on ESPN3, in 2014. Games acquired for ESPNEWS in 2017 and expanded to ESPN2 in 2019. Broadcast rights re-acquired for ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+ in 2024. Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB)Eredivisie ESPN+2018–presentKNVB Cup 2025–presentJohan Cruyff ShieldRoyal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF)Copa del ReyESPN DeportesESPN+2020–presentCopa de la ReinaESPN+2020–presentSupercopa de EspañaABCESPNESPN2ESPN DeportesESPN+2020–presentAll matches available to stream on ESPN+. Spanish-language coverage on ESPN Deportes. ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 rotated as broadcasters of the tournament.Supercopa de España FemeninaESPN+2020–presentScottish Football Association (SFA)Scottish Cup ESPN+2018–present United Soccer League (USL)USL ChampionshipESPN2ESPNUESPNEWSESPN DeportesESPN+2016–presentUSL League OneESPN+2019–presentUSL CupESPN+2024–present Australian Professional Leagues (APL)A-League Men ESPN+ 2018–present A-League WomenCONCACAFCONCACAF W Champions CupESPN Deportes2025–presentSpanish-language rightsBaseballMajor League Baseball (MLB)MLB on ESPNABCESPN 2026–presentBroadcast of 30 regular-season games annually on weeknight, including Little League Classic and Memorial Day.MLB.TV ESPN AppExclusive rights holder of MLB.TV making thousands of games available on the ESPN AppLocal rights Exclusive, local in-market streaming rights for six clubs: San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardians, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.Game of the dayESPN will also deliver more than 150 out-of-market regular season games every season across a special ‘game of the day’ offering for subscribers to the ESPN Unlimited plan.Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation (CPBC)Caribbean SeriesESPN DeportesSpanish-language rightsBasketballFIBAFIBA Basketball World CupESPN+FIBA Women's Basketball World CupESPN+FIBA Intercontinental CupESPN3National Basketball Association (NBA)NBA on ESPNESPN1982–1984,2002–present Aired 40 games, primarily on Sunday night, each season between 1982 and 1984. Wednesday and Friday night games since 2002; both nights currently doubleheaders. Friday games to be reduced to select weeks starting in the 2025–26 season. NBA All-Star Celebrity Game since 2004NBA Christmas SpecialABCESPNESPN+2002–presentNBA Saturday PrimetimeABCESPN DeportesESPN+2016–presentSimulcasted on ESPN+ since 2025.NBA Sunday ShowcaseABCESPN Deportes2003–presentDoubleheader of Sunday afternoon games from 2003 to 2015. Reduced to single game in 2016. Returned to doubleheader in 2022.NBA playoffs and NBA FinalsABCESPN1983–1984,2003–presentESPN aired 10 playoff games in 1983 and 1984, respectively. Since 2003: First round (generally Fridays and selected weekend games) Second round (generally Thursdays, Fridays, and selected weekend games) Full Eastern Conference Finals series (even-numbered years) Full Western Conference Finals series (odd-numbered years) NBA Finals since 2003NBA Summer LeagueESPNESPN+?–presentNBA G LeagueESPNESPN+?–presentNBA draftABCESPN2003–presentESPN produces a separate broadcast for ABC since 2021.Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)WNBA on ESPNESPNESPN2ESPN31997–presentWNBA on ABCABC2003–presentWNBA All-Star Game Broadcast on ABC most years since 2003WNBA playoffs and WNBA FinalsABCESPNESPN21997–presentExclusive finals rights from 2003 to 2025.WNBA draftESPNESPN2ESPNU2001–presentPrimarily broadcast on ESPN since 2020.Basketball New ZealandNational Basketball LeagueESPN32020–presentTauihi Basketball AotearoaCricketCricket West IndiesSuper50 CupESPN+Women's Super50 CupESPN+West Indies national cricket teamESPN+ New Zealand CricketNew Zealand national cricket teamSuper Smash Darts Professional Darts CorporationWorld Matchplay ESPN2ESPN+2026–present Cable-exclusive and streaming rights in the United States PDC World Darts Championship2026–presentWorld Grand Prix2026–presentGrand Slam of Darts2026–presentUS Darts Masters2026–presentGolfPGA TourMasters TournamentESPNESPN+2008–presentCable-exclusive and streaming rights; shared with and co-produced by CBS SportsPGA ChampionshipESPNESPN+1982–1990,2020–presentCable-exclusive and streaming rights; shared with and co-produced by CBS SportsPGA Tour LiveESPN+2022–presentIncludes more than 3500 hours of live and exclusive coverage of 35 PGA Tour tournaments and at least 28 tournaments with four full days of coverage.LPGALPGA TourESPN+2022–presentTGLTGL presented by SoFiESPNESPN2ESPN+2025–presentHandballInternational Handball Federation (IHF)IHF World Men's Handball ChampionshipESPN3ESPN+2021,20232021 tournament streamed exclusively on ESPN+. Moved to ESPN3 for 2023 tournament.IHF World Women's Handball ChampionshipESPN3ESPN+2021, 20232021 tournament streamed exclusively on ESPN+. Moved to ESPN3 for 2023 tournament.Ice hockeyNational Hockey League (NHL)NHL on ESPNESPNESPN21979–1983,1985–1988,1992–2004,2021–presentFrom 1979 to 1983, ESPN's NHL rights were agreements with individual teams. First national rights contract ran from 1985 to 1988; rights moved to SportsChannel America in 1988. Regained national rights in 1992. Re-signed one-year deal in 2004, which ESPN opted out of after the 2004–05 NHL lockout Regained national rights again in 2021. Include Stadium Series and All-Star SkillsESPN+ Hockey NightESPN+Hulu2021–presentNHL Power PlayESPN+2021–presentOver 1050 out-of-market games, replacing NHL.tv. Game feeds originating from regional sports networks and national Canadian broadcasters.NHL on ABCABCESPN+1993–1994,2000–2004,2021–present ESPN produced games and aired games on ABC under a time-buy agreement from 1993 to 1994. Broadcast rights moved to Fox Sports in 1995. Reacquired rights in 2000 under the same time-buy agreement. Broadcast rights left again for NBC Sports after 2004. Regained rights in 2021, most games air under the banner ABC Hockey Saturday. Broadcast NHL All-Star Game since 2022Stanley Cup playoffs and FinalsABCESPNESPN2ESPN+1993–2004,2022–presentSelected first and second-round games (primarily on days when not airing the NBA; first-round co-exists with regional broadcasts) One exclusive conference finals series per season (ESPN/ABC has the first choice as to which conference to air.) Finals in exclusive to ABC and ESPN+ in even years from 2022 to 2028NHL entry draftESPNESPN+2022–presentESPN only broadcasts first round; second to the last round broadcast by NHL Network. All rounds streamed on ESPN+.IIHFIce Hockey World ChampionshipsESPN+IIHF World Junior ChampionshipIIHF World U18 ChampionshipLacrossePremier Lacrosse League (PLL)PLL on ESPNPLL on ESPN+ABCESPNESPN2ESPN+2022–presentAll matches available to stream on ESPN+. Select games broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2.Women's Lacrosse League (WLL)2025–futureNational Lacrosse League (NLL)ESPN2ESPN+2022–presentMarathonN/ABoston MarathonESPN/ESPN+1997–20042023–presentNew York City Marathon/New York City Half MarathonESPN/ESPN+2012–presentHouston MarathonESPN3/ESPN+2016–presentMixed martial artsProfessional Fighters League (PFL)PFL on ESPNPFL on ESPN+ESPN2ESPN DeportesESPN+2019–presentLegacy Fighting Alliance (LFA)ESPN DeportesESPN+2026–presentSpanish-language rightsRugby unionMajor League Rugby (MLR)ESPN2ESPN+2025–presentSailingN/AAmerica's CupESPNESPN2ESPN3ESPNEWSESPN+1983–2003,2010,2024 Initially, ESPN interrupted scheduled programming in 1983 to broadcast the seventh and final race.