ESPN has reached a multiyear, multimedia agreement with World Baseball Classic, Inc. (WBCI) to present the World Baseball Classic in both 2013 and 2017, it was announced today. Coverage includes exclusive Spanish-language rights, audio rights and extensive coverage across ESPNs studio programming and digital platforms.Under the agreement, ESPN Deportes will provide comprehensive coverage as the Spanish-language home for both events, with live telecasts of all 39 games beginning with the three opening games on Saturday, March 2. In addition, ESPN Deportes Radio and ESPN Radio will broadcast games in Spanish and English.We have been the Spanish-language home of the World Baseball Classic since it started in 2006, and we are thrilled to be once again work with World Baseball Classic, Inc. to continue bringing coverage of the event, said Lino García, general manager of ESPN Deportes. Baseball is one of the most followed sports among the U.S. Hispanic market and the success of the 2006 and 2009 tournaments on ESPN Deportes proved this is a must-see event for these emerging, passionate fans. In addition, our coverage across ESPN Audio strengthens our extensive baseball content for our listeners on both ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes.The 2013 World Baseball Classic, which is the third edition of the tournament, features the worlds best players representing their countries and territories. Thirty-nine games will be played in seven venues in four nations and territories from March 2 through March 19, 2013.
