ESPN rebrands American sports channel in Britain to televise Premier League soccer

October 4th, 2009 Kroenke backed by MLS boss for buyout of ArsenalLONDON — MLS commissioner Don Garber says Stan Kroenke would be a positive addition for Arsenal if the American businessman completes his buyout of the Premier League club. Kroenke, who owns the Colorado Rapids, increased his stake in the Gunners to 28.7 percent last week, 1.2 percent short of the threshold that instigates a mandatory offer for the remaining shares.

September 6th, 2009 LONDON - Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry could soon be playing the Premier League again following reports that Manchester City is interested in him. According to reports, Manchester City winger Robinho could be swapped for Henry.

August 19th, 2009 LONDON - The global television audience for the 2009 Indian Premier League (IPL) was markedly down on the heights achieved during the inaugural season, according to a report published in London. A Viewertrack report published by the independent global sports consultancy Futures Sport+Entertainment shows an average 20 percent fall in viewership across five major cricket-playing countries -- India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Britain.

August 14th, 2009 LOS ANGELES - England footballer David Beckham has squashed reports of possible comeback in the English Premier League (EPL). Beckham has said that he might move back to Italy's AC Milan when the Major League Soccer (MLS) season ends in October, The Sun reports.

August 11th, 2009 Argentina's delayed soccer season to start Aug. 21BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina's delayed soccer season will start Aug.

July 30th, 2009 LONDON - England midfielder Frank Lampard has hailed new boss Carlo Ancelotti and warned champions Manchester United that Chelsea are determined to regain the Premier League title. Lampard said: "I grew up watching the Premiership and the League before that - and it's a lovely feeling to be the best team in your country and I want to get that back." "The League is where we need to get to the consistency levels we had a few years ago," The Sun quoted Lampard, as saying.

July 28th, 2009 ESPN to show MLS, European soccer in BritainLONDON — ESPN has bought the rights to broadcast Major League Soccer live in Britain and Ireland as well as games from some European leagues. The Disney-owned network is building up its live soccer content in Britain after already securing rights to show some Premier League matches.

July 27th, 2009 LONDON - American sports caster Erin Andrews is set to sue for millions after the grainy footage of her undressing in a hotel room was illegally posted on the web. Andrews, 31, has also demanded that criminal charges be brought against the person who installed the spy hole camera in her room.

July 23rd, 2009 LONDON - England mid-fielder Frank Lampard has said that the Premier League and not Europe's Champion's League is Chelsea's number one priority in the 2009-10 season. "Personally, and as a club, we need to get back to winning ways in the league.

July 16th, 2009 ESPN, Sky buy Scottish soccer rightsLONDON — ESPN and Sky will show Scottish Premier League soccer live in Britain and Ireland for the next three seasons, with an option for an additional two. The rival broadcasters agreed to a deal Thursday worth $106 million over five years to acquire the rights taken off Setanta before the Irish network's British operation collapsed last month.

July 8th, 2009 ESPN to show Premier League soccer in IrelandLONDON — ESPN has acquired the rights to televise Premier League soccer in Ireland. The broadcaster, owned by The Walt Disney Co., will show the 46 matches next season that were previously held by Setanta Sports.

June 23rd, 2009 Setanta files for bankruptcy protectionLONDON — Irish broadcaster Setanta Sports filed for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, saying it will shortly cease broadcasting to customers in Britain after failing to make a number of payments to football organizations. Setanta, which is backed by private equity firms Doughty Hanson and Balderton Capital, said it has suspended the collection of subscription payments in Britain after appointing accounting firm Deloitte to run the collapsed company.

June 22nd, 2009 Setanta fails to make payment to Scottish leagueLONDON — Setanta has failed to make a payment to the Scottish Premier League to screen live matches in Britain, casting further doubt on the future of the troubled broadcaster. Monday's announcement that Setanta didn't make a $5 million payment as scheduled could have severe implications for smaller Scottish clubs.

June 22nd, 2009 ESPN to air live Premier League matches in BritainLONDON — ESPN will broadcast live Premier League matches for the first time in Britain after gaining rights from financially troubled Setanta Sports. The Premier League on Monday announced that ESPN, owned by The Walt Disney Co., will televise 46 matches next season and 23 in each of the three seasons from 2010-11 in its first major contract to broadcast live sports in Britain.

May 29th, 2009 English-only 'Britain' soccer team for OlympicsLONDON — A soccer team of only English players is set to represent Britain at the 2012 London Olympics. The four "home nations" — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — sent a joint letter to world governing body FIFA on Friday saying they had agreed that an English team could represent Britain in both the men's and women's tournaments.