The Pan American Games, last televised on ESPN in 1999, will make a comeback of sorts on the sports-programming giant.
ESPN Deportes acquired the exclusive Spanish-language multimedia rights throughout the United States and Puerto Rico for the competition, and it will present more than 160 hours of coverage from Rio de Janeiro July 13-29.
In addition to the presentation on the linear service -- which is available to more than 3 million Hispanic cable homes in the United States -- Pan Am Games-related content will also be available exclusively on ESPN Deportes Radio and ESPN Deportes Wireless. ESPNdeportes.com will have nonexclusive Spanish-language rights in the United States.
The largest international sporting competition outside of the Olympic Games, the Pan Am Games feature action in baseball, boxing, basketball, gymnastics, tennis, track and field, soccer and swimming.
“This is another milestone in our effort to offer marquee sporting events that are culturally relevant for our audience,” ESPN Deportes general manager Lino Garcia said in a prepared statement.
“ESPN Deportes’ coverage of the 2007 Pan American Games is the most comprehensive that the event has ever had in the United States, and we are proud to bring Hispanic fans all of the drama and excitement that comes with this prestigious event,” he added. “We look forward to working with the Pan American Sports Organization to take this event to higher levels of exposure and growth in the United States.”
