By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Photo: ESPN
NEW YORK—ESPN will remain the broadcast home of the US Open until 2037.
The USTA and ESPN today announced a 12-year extension — and digital expansion — of their US Open partnership.
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The pact, which begins in 2026 and is ESPN’s longest-term tennis deal, also continues to make ESPN the home of the entire US Open in Latin America and the Caribbean and in Canada on TSN and RDS.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
ESPN first took over as the host broadcaster of the US Open in 2015 ending CBS’ 47-year run as host broadcaster.
At the time, it was reported that ESPN would pay between $70 million and $75 million annually for the rights to the US Open and the US Open Series in a The 11-year pact would pay the USTA a total of $825 million.
Under the terms of the new deal, ESPN claims it will produce “more than 260 hours of annual coverage” in the US with the USTA taking over “host broadcast duties from ESPN beginning in 2026.”
“After many years of exceptional partnership, we are pleased to expand our partnership with ESPN and The Walt Disney Company, a collaboration that has fueled tremendous growth for the US Open,” said Lew Sherr, USTA CEO and Executive Director. “This year’s US Open is on track to be the most spectacular championship in our history, and together with ESPN, we are energized by an even brighter future.
“Our shared commitment to expanding the reach of tennis has contributed to a significant increase in participation. Together, we will continue to use the US Open as a powerful platform to promote our mission to inspire more people and communities healthy.”
The USTA said the new pact has a provision for ESPN for limited sublicense rights, which could mean expanded coverage on the Tennis Channel.
In the press release announcing the contract extension, the USTA and ESPN released these details of the agreement and the latest viewership moments.
Highlights of the ESPN-USTA USA Open Agreement
Expanded broadcast rights, giving ESPN flexibility to create additional ways for US fans to consume US Open content
Expanded Fan Week coverage, including daily live coverage on ESPN2 and distribution of prime-time showcase events that debuted this year on ESPN platforms
Introducing fast-paced, shot-by-shot coverage to debut on ESPN+ the first week of the 2026 US Open main draw
ABC’s annual Last Sunday and Middle Sunday coverage
Availability of all games on all courts Day-to-day Spanish-language coverage in the US on ESPN Deportes
Provision to ESPN for Limited Sublicense Rights
Recent US Open viewership highlights
The 2023 US Women’s Open between winner Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka is the most-watched women’s final of all major tennis ever on ESPN is the most-streamed women’s match on ESPN+
The 2023 men’s and women’s semifinals on ESPN are the most watched since the current deal began in 2015.
In 2022, Serena Williams’ final appearance at the US Open remains the most-watched tennis telecast recorded in ESPN’s 44-year history with 4.8 million viewers. Viewership peaked at 6.9 million viewers.
The 2015 US Men’s Open between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer averaged 3.2 million viewers and stands as the most-watched event ever on ESPN on record.
