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Live AFL Coverage on ESPN2 This Weekend

by admincms — Sun, 2010-05-16 19:05 — Last Updated: Mon, 2010-05-17 18:44

The first live AFL match on ESPN2 will air this coming Saturday night / Sunday morning US time when Carlton v Hawthorn is aired by the network.  This surprise word has reached AFANA and we feel confident this will happen however we are seeking final confirmation of the schedule from ESPN (Ed. note: 5/17/10: ESPN now confirmed!) and the AFL and will revise this story when that is received.  The match coverage will begin at approximately 12:00 MN EDT Sunday 23 May running until 3:00 AM EDT.  Not since the early 1980's has an AFL match aired live on either of the two flagship networks of ESPN.   We expect the audience for this match may surpass last year's Grand Final on ESPN Classic as the most viewed AFL match in US history.  The match will also be available on ESPN3.com.

Fans are encourage to watch this web site for any future updates and to get the word out.  The more fans who watch this match and the higher the ratings the better for the future of live coverage on ESPN2.  Please send fans to this site for the facts and accurate information on any schedule changes.  If you plan a viewing party please let us know.  While we won't be doing full blown listings like we do for the Grand Final, we will compile any information sent to us and provide a summary listing.  (If you send a listing, please provide a contact phone number or e-mail address and a location [venue, city, state] or we will not include your listing.  Thanks.)  Listings are here: Viewing Parties

We will also be making updated info available in a more condensed form on our Twitter feed and Facebook page.  Links are to the right of this article. 

howard berg's picture

Re: Live AFL Coverage on ESPN2 This Weekend

Submitted by howard berg (not verified) on Wed, 2010-05-19 20:43.

I think this is great! I"ll be watching, and tivo-ing. Plus I like the Blues and am interested in what is wrong with the Hawks. Thank you whoever encouraged this to happen.

BryN's picture

Re: Live AFL Coverage on ESPN2 This Weekend

Submitted by BryN (not verified) on Sat, 2010-05-22 06:50.

Shocked I just read this announcement in the Sporting News Today. It is about time to start airing Aussie Footy on US television. I didn't see however any matches listed for next week. This may be a one time deal. I certainly hope not.

Carn the Bombers! cheers

admincms's picture

Re: Live AFL Coverage on ESPN2 This Weekend

Submitted by admincms on Sat, 2010-05-22 10:02.

This is the first of four matches this season on ESPN2.   See our TV Info and TV schedule pages for more info.

-Rob
AFANA Chairman Emeritus and Site Admin

Bob D.'s picture

Re: Live AFL Coverage on ESPN2 This Weekend

Submitted by Bob D. (not verified) on Mon, 2010-05-24 19:54.

i caught the game on espn2 last weekend. thank you very much for the coverage. although the Hawks v the Blues isn't much of a match. but a game nonetheless. i looked at the schedule and it shows only 1 more game will be covered by espn2; Cats v Hawks July, 10 (this will be a h*** of a battle by the way) you claim 4 matches this season? i'm only seeing 2. am i missing something as far as the schedule goes? thanks Bob Go Bombers!

admincms's picture

Re: Live AFL Coverage on ESPN2 This Weekend

Submitted by admincms on Mon, 2010-05-24 21:31.

Hi Bob,

Unfortunately, we did not have any input into the games selected this year.  So it was luck of the draw that we got what we did, for better or worse.  The listings are correct.  ESPN has not announced the 3rd game to be aired yet.  The 4th game will be the Grand Final the last weekend of September.  When ESPN announces the remaining game we will include it in the schedule. 

Glad you enjoyed the telecast.  We're hoping the ratings were better than expected and ESPN will want to air more matches in future seasons.  There are 3 matches a week on ESPN3 and coverage on MHz also.

-Rob
AFANA Chairman Emeritus and Site Admin

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