Soccer Betting: ESPN wants English Premier League

Bodenheimer said that the Premier League is a “fabulous property… we are absolutely interested” in.  ESPN may end up in a bidding way against British Sky Broadcasting, who is also interested in the rights for these soccer wagering matches.  The rights go up for bidding in 2009.  The current deal is a 1.3-billion-pound (1.8-billion-euro, 2.6-billion-dollar) three-year-deal.  ESPN is looking to expand around the world and the Premier League soccer betting games are a very attractive television entity.  “We want to deliver product that is relevant in each country.  It’s a country-by-country approach.  We want to be investors wherever the top sports product is”, Bodenheimer added.  ESPN reaches 93 million homes of soccer betting and other sports fans within the United States, and also broadcasts to 190 countries in 15 languages.

In other soccer wagering news, Jose Mourinho ruled himself out of becoming the new manager of the England football team.  He had been one of the leading candidates to replace Steve McClaren, who was let go last month after England failed to qualify for next year’s European soccer betting Championships.  “After deep and serious thinking, I decided to exclude myself from being England manager despite it being a fantastic position for me”, Mourinho said, “I’m sure FA will hire a great manager, one able to place the team back where it belongs.  I reiterate my respect for English football and, after three good years in England, I firmly believe that the England squad will soon be back to their usual great results”.  It is thought that Mourinho was using the England opening as a way to promote himself for another job.

England does not have a soccer wagering match until February 6th but the FA is holding a board meeting on December 19th and an announcement on the manager could be made then.