I don’t know if you’re a football soccer fan, but you may have heard of the World Cup. In 2010 it ends in South Africa with the winning country able to claim king of the world status for the next four years. Sometimes I feel like the United States is the only country that has no idea of the importance of this sport around the world.
Things have been changing during the last few World Cups with it gathering more attention in the United States with each win of the national team. ESPN and ABC saw this and bid on the broadcast rights for the games in the hopes that the trend continues.
“At some point you’ve got to treat it like the significant sporting event that is,” said John Skipper, ESPN’s executive vice president of content. “I understand it has not traditionally stopped work and stopped the country to watch it in past years. But we’re going to treat it like it should.”
I hope it works out for Disney’s sports channels, but I don’t ever foresee the whole country shutting down for the World Cup the way some other countries do. Still, I’ll be watching, at least when the US is on and I’m at home.
(Via the AP)
The world cup is a great event, second only to the Olympics.
As an Englishman I have always wondered why people overlook the US National team. You have one of the highest proportions of athletes, you’re bound to get some quality footballers coming through. They can also compete without much pressure as all eyes aren’t on them – haha! Over the years you have certainly improved, I think the US will do well.
Anyway, here’s to a good World Cup and some quality matches… hopefully culminating with ENGLAND lifting the trophy!!
I am SO Looking forward to the first match for the US, when they play England…..
Yes, I will be on my Honeymoon, but Advance Apologies to ny Lovely Wife….. (and she knows it). No Roller Coaster will get between me and the US/England game. (And my Mother’s family is from England).
Go USA!!!!
And this is from a LONG term USA fan… (Too Many Decades!)
ESPN and ABC to expand coverage of the 2010 World Cup. Soccer fans, will you be watching? http://bit.ly/9bT2rR
RT: NO! @TheDisneyBlog: ESPN and ABC to expand coverage of the 2010 World Cup. Soccer fans, will you be watching? http://bit.ly/9bT2rR
Should be interesting to see the ratings… Alas, the ESPN family only has the English rights in the US, Univision will also broadcast the World Cup (but in Spanish) in the US on its family of networks (Univision, TeleFutura and GalaVision).
I am planning my Honeymoon in June, and the World Cup is part of the planning (and thank goodness I will be able to watch most of the USA and Mexico games.) A bit worried about my flight home, which is scheduled during the Round of 16….
The timing isn’t bad (but not great) with the East coast getting 9 Am and 1:30 PM games.
Out here on the West Coast, not sure of the 6 AM games, but on the plus side, those games will allow folks to get up and watch the game before work. (And isn’t that why they designed DVR’s ;)
I LOVE Football!! and after all is said and done, Italia will raise the cup for another 4 years!
Hi,
I will be staying in Disney Florida during the World Cup and would love to watch England/USA, could anyone advise me on where/if it would showing?
The ESPN Club at Boardwalk is your best bet for on property. Off property there is a British pub on I-192 near Medieval Times that advertises World Cup games. There are likely to be more choices as a lot of UK citizens retire to the Orlando area.
Many thanks John.
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