ESPN Loses Serie A as CBS and Paramount+ Acquire the Rights to the Football League

CBS Sports and Paramount+ have acquired the U.S. rights to broadcast the Italian football league Serie A from ESPN.

What’s Happening:

  • ESPN has lost the rights to Serie A from CBS Sports in a deal that will keep the league in their grasp through 2024.
  • The agreement also includes coverage of the Serie A Championship, Coppa Italia, and Supercoppa Italiana matches.
  • Coverage of more than 400 matches will begin in August for the 21-22 season.

Where to Watch Serie A:

  • Paramount+ will broadcast more than 400 matches live each season through 2024.
  • The service will feature all 380 Serie A matches, 25 Coppa Italia matches, and the Suppercoppa Italiana match.
  • Select matches will also be televised on CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network.

 What They’re Saying:

  • Jeffrey Gerttula, Executive Vice President and General Manager, CBS Sports Digital: “We are building critical mass in soccer, and the addition of Serie A, Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana is another major step in the expansion of CBS Sports’ extensive lineup of live soccer coverage on Paramount+ and across our linear and digital platforms. Showcasing this historic league and some of the world’s biggest clubs is a tremendous opportunity to further grow the sport in the U.S. by delivering first-class coverage to a dedicated and passionate audience.”
  • Luigi De Siervo, Lega Serie A CEO: “We express great satisfaction for the assignment of the audiovisual rights to Serie A and the Coppa Italia, for the three-year period 21/24, to a major network like CBS Sports. In a strategic area like the United States of America this agreement confirms the growth of the international image of the Serie A brand through an important partner like CBS Sports. Today it is not a point of arrival, but rather the beginning of a process of investments in human resources and editorial contents to support the continued growth of Serie A in the North America territory. This is the result of the work of the last 18 months and of the increasing number of American owners who have decided to invest in our teams. Finally, I would like to thank the President of Fiorentina Rocco Commisso for his important contribution to achieve this agreement.”