The World Wide Leader just got a little world wider this week, as ESPN has announced three-year deals with the Champions League Twenty20 and the International Cricket Council, which will include the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Now before you run out into the street and flip your neighbor’s car over with joy, the deal is only for ESPN3.com, but hey – who the hell is complaining? We’ve got cricket in America! Huzzah, ESPN!
“It’s a big day for cricket fans in the U.S., and we’re thrilled to be the network offering this passionate and underserved audience more cricket coverage than ever before,” said Damon Phillips, Vice President, ESPN3.com in a statement. “We’re removing the traditional pay per view barrier and making these world class events available to millions of fans.” (Via Sports Newser)
Growing up in a middle class family in a predominantly white neighborhood of a Ft. Lauderdale, Florida suburb, all I know is cricket. This sh*t is in my blood, man. So to call this “big” news is like being hit by a beamer while the anchor just stands there. It just hurts, Damon Phillips. This is the biggest news of my life.
I can’t wait to throw my first cricket party and invite all of my cricket-loving friends, especially all the kids down at the Boys and Girls Club. They’ve never known the joy of watching a perfect Yorker strike the bat hole, or when a leg spin bowler delivers an unhittable flipper. I’m getting chills just thinking about it.
