ESPN are poised to rescue the FA from financial crisis by buying television rights to the FA Cup.
The FA may be wary about the world's oldest knockout competition being dubbed 'The Mickey Mouse Cup' if Disney-owned ESPN became their broadcast partner but it seems the American company will offer the best deal to fill the cash shortfall left by Setanta's collapse.
ESPN regard the FA Cup as a potential complement to the Premier League rights they snapped up after Setanta defaulted on their contract.
Next season they will show 46 live top-flight games but, in the three following seasons, will have just 23 and will need other content to retain subscribers.
The FA may be wary about the world's oldest knockout competition being dubbed 'The Mickey Mouse Cup' if Disney-owned ESPN became their broadcast partner but it seems the American company will offer the best deal to fill the cash shortfall left by Setanta's collapse.
ESPN regard the FA Cup as a potential complement to the Premier League rights they snapped up after Setanta defaulted on their contract.
Next season they will show 46 live top-flight games but, in the three following seasons, will have just 23 and will need other content to retain subscribers.
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