As of 30 August, sports fans across Africa will gain access to ESPN offerings online and on TV, with the rebrand of Fox Sports Africa to ESPN.
The FOX Sports and FOX Sports 2 channels will be rebranded ESPN and ESPN2, and will continue to showcase all the leading leagues fans have been watching from around the world, as well as adding further properties in the future.
Africa’s sports fans will continue to have access to Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, Professional Fighters League, and Championship football, as well as a number of European leagues such as Eredivisie, Turkish Super Lig, and the Belgian top flight.
Additionally, the ESPN channels will broadcast the WAFU Cup of Nations 2019, which takes place from Sept. 28 to Oct. 13 in Thies, Senegal.
Frank Rutten, ESPN Europe & Africa stated: “Rebranding as ESPN is a natural transition following the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company.
“The ESPN brand is synonymous with sports, is one of the most valuable brands in the world and has an established global reach.”
“We are excited to grow our broadcast offering under the new ESPN banner, with our existing programming and intellectual property forming part of the plans for the future,” said Christine Service, Senior Vice President and Country Manager, The Walt Disney Company Africa.
“We look forward to developing both channels in the months and years ahead.”
Programming highlights after the rebrand will include Yankees vs. Athletics baseball on August 31, the Glasgow Derby between Celtic and Rangers on Sept. 1, and LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders in MLS in the early hours of Sept. 2.
