DISQUS

To anonymous at 4:36, anonymous at 4:40, lim peh, anonymous at 4:54, true red, anonymous at 6:08, and jimcalagon,


I have to say I am not stunned at your reactions. Here you are, total idiots to the game. Why is that you may ask, well lets state the simple obvious...all you care to do is slag this piece and yet you yourselves cannot write one intelligent response in reply. It is people like you who give Liverpool an extremely bad name.



Best bet, until you can come up with an intelligent response, keep quiet. It'll make you look much smarter than you appear.

ESPN getting the Premier League rights in the US is simply unthinkable. Does everyone forget that they had them before, and promptly got rid of them because shows they produce in house got them similar ratings, but more advertising money?


For Setanta it was wise of them to get rid of NASN and ESPN was in need of a tax write off.



At the end of the day, Sky Sports and Setanta have ended up making a quasi agreement with regards to the FA Cup and England internationals. They also have agreements for Sky to screen selected shows on Setanta's networks worldwide. Sky realizes that while Setanta is a competitor, they are a necessary evil



The World Cup gets good ratings in America because it's marketed as an attraction. You just cannot do that for an entire season of football.



I would also wonder what ESPN would think if they got the rights again for the price it would have to, and MLS games got higher ratings for their network?



The one major plus for FSC and Setanta is the fact they make a concerted effort to replay games in a more time friendly slot for weekday games. Doubt ESPN would do that.



The harsh reality is ESPN getting the Premier League again would take coverage of the game two steps back. What I would like ESPN to do is purchase the rights package so they could at least show the highlights on SportsCenter. They get around it right now by using the ESPN Deportes tag, but not many people give that segment a second (or third) thought.

To anonymous at 2:44 am


You mean to tell me that the pitch could not be replaced in one months time? You mean to tell me that you simply cannot admit one simple fact and that is the England National Team simply does not play...oh wait for it...like a team? Sorry the fact is that while you may claim you have the best players in the world (and time and time again it's been proven wrong)you do not have the best team. They are two totally different things and sadly your blinded by ignorance to that fact. Either grow up or seek some professional counseling.

To anonymous at 10:01 am:


If England do win the World Cup in 2010 and deserve it, they will get all the praise in the world from me.

If England win the World Cup in 2010 and not deserve it, they will continue to get the same slack I give them.



I simply call things like I see them and I do not pull punches. If you can't take that brunt honesty, go watch golf, darts or bowls.



I am not anti-anything. I am just honest with what I see with my own eyes.

To anonymous at 10:36 pm:


Obviously those 'damn Yanks on this website know zilch about Football nor need to be commenting' about said sport know more than Steve McClaren.



You are simply not a true football fan. The aggro in what you say show you are nothing more than a worthless hooligan that is trying to put the blame on this loss on everything else but the fact McClaren simply got it wrong with a 4-5-1 formation to start.



By the way, how does it feel for the English to see that the two best players on the England National Team either play in the United States or are stuck having a hell of a time getting a game at Liverpool?

EPLNFL,


The ratings for Euro2008 will be a major indicator I feel if ESPN goes after a game or two for their family of networks. Even then they would have to be close to World Cup levels for them to probably consider it. The only thing ESPN is going to have a major time conceding is the TWI broadcasters as they have to do everything in house.



I think what we all have to realize is be thankful we are getting the amount of games we are. Not too long ago it wasn't that high live, or even on a delayed basis.

I can't stand Alan Parry. Jon Champion is serviceable and Clive Tyldesley runs very hot and cold depending on what game he calls.


Martin Tyler is probably the best football commentator in England next to John Motson and I could listen to both call any game, regardless of who's playing.

Hey Gaf, speaking of your community of sites, what's up with the EPL Talk Community Site?

Dan,


There are some people who want to view these games in the English language.

Yea but I wonder how much it is going to cost?

I don't think we need to get too exciting about the Coca-Cola Championship having more fans this year than Siere A. Lets not forget there was about a few weeks when no fans were permitted to attend matches. Now if the trend continues next season...then it will be a story.

Sounds to me like it's time for all of us to unite against ESPN making a bid or purchasing Setanta Sports. With the way they brand everything, it will only turn out badly. They will kill off Rugby, Aussie Rules, the GAA, and only make it football. Now while some may like that, having all those other sports is what makes Setanta so great.

I think we have to remember that Setanta just isn't a footy channel. Now yes, they need to do a better job bridging that dead period from 9:40-10:00 with the Setanta Dublin feed.
As for being more available, let us all hope that the rumors are true about them moving to Dish Network and a couple of cable platforms. If it isn't, this will be the second year in a row I will have heard these rumors and they not come to pass.

You know this maybe the best thing having the Serie A match from 2:30-4:30 just because after six hours of football, some will feel overloaded.


Give the 2:30-4:30 time slot to the Italians. From 4:30-6:30 let them show the game that has been played at 2:30. Generally that timeslot is already reserved for a replayed match from earlier in the day anyway. Run that lousy Super Saturday from 6:30-7 and then problem solved.



Though wouldn't it better to not have Super Saturday at all?



bcjohn02