ESPN Secures US Open Broadcast Rights in $2 Billion Deal

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ESPN has extended its exclusive broadcast rights for the US Open through 2037, solidifying its long-term relationship with the iconic tennis tournament. The 12-year deal, reported to be worth $2.04 billion, averages out to approximately $170 million annually.

This agreement not only extends ESPN's coverage of the US Open but also expands its exclusive rights to include Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada. The deal enhances ESPN's streaming capabilities and ensures continued coverage of key tournament days, including Middle Sunday and Final Sunday, on ABC.

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro expressed pride in the network’s ongoing partnership with the USTA, highlighting the importance of the US Open in ESPN's sports calendar and the broader commitment to gender equality in sports, as the US Open was the first major event to offer equal prize money to male and female competitors.

In addition to the US Open, ESPN holds broadcasting rights to Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Meanwhile, the French Open will shift to TNT in 2025 under a separate deal.

The substantial investment reflects the US Open’s domestic appeal, driven by its favorable time zone for U.S. audiences and the celebrity presence at the event. With tennis legends like Roger Federer and Serena Williams retired, and Rafael Nadal nearing the end of his career, ESPN's deal is a strategic bet on the emergence of new tennis stars in the coming decade.