The Women's United Soccer Association, the cable-centric soccer circuit, was
near a deal at press time that would bring four games of its 2003 campaign,
including the Aug. 24 championship match, to ESPN2.
Sources said ESPN2's coverage would kick off April 5 at 2 p.m. with a
season-opening game between the Carolina Courage and the Washington Freedom, and
also include one of the distaff league's semifinal playoff matches Aug. 17, as
well as its All-Star contest June 19.
"We expect a deal early [this coming] week," a WUSA spokesman said.
Added an ESPN spokesman: "We've been in discussions with the WUSA and are
close to a deal. We hope to announce something soon."
Pax TV, which is in the final year of a two-year pact with the WUSA, will
again present a Saturday-afternoon regular-season package and one playoff
semifinal.
