BRISTOL, Conn. — ESPN, known for its comprehensive suite of national sports rights, sees an opportunity to enter the business of making games available to fans on a local basis.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, speaking to reporters Wednesday at Disney Sports headquarters here, said the company has suggested to sports leagues and leaders that it might help distribute games to specific markets through its own streaming properties — including a new full ESPN streaming product it expects to launch around this time in 2025.
“We want to be part of the solution,” Pitaro said, referring to the strained economic environment facing local sports media, as regional sports outlets have been spun off from traditional media conglomerates and sold to new startups. One of those new entities, Diamond Sports, has been embroiled in legal troubles and battles with several sports leagues for months.
ESPB’s Pitaro said the company will be able to “geographically target” subscribers to its streaming services and make games available to people in specific markets. He said the company likely won’t seek exclusive local rights, but will simply offer its platforms as a way to add more viewers and reach.
“We believe that access is a valuable asset to the league,” he said.
The executive said ESPN would be open to considering deals with individual sports teams as well as broader agreements with leagues that have multiple teams. For example, he said he would be eager to discuss the possibility with Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and Deputy Commissioner of Business and Media Noah Garden.
