ESPN Anticipates More World Cup Growth in 2014 Before Rights Expire

Execs from the cable network, which lost its bid for the 2018 and 2022 games to Fox, say Rio de Janeiro will be significantly boosted from Cape Town in 2010 thanks to proximate time zones and growing U.S. interest. ESPN will again be the home of U.S. FIFA World Cup coverage in 2014 -- an exclusivity it shares with Univision. The Brazil games mark the last on the cable network's current deal after Fox Sports and Telemundo outbid the Disney sports giant for 2018 and 2022 coverage. And ESPN expects...