Live AFL Coverage on ESPN2 This Weekend
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.) 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.