ESPN Eyes 2030 World Cup Rights as Pitaro Praises Fox’s Coverage

ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro confirmed that Disney’s sports division will pursue bidding for the 2030 World Cup broadcasting rights.

“We had the World Cup for two decades, and it was a significant part of ESPN’s identity and DNA,” Pitaro said during a CNBC-hosted conference at Fanatics Fest in New York. “Of course we’re interested in reacquiring the rights. We’re hyper-competitive in all our negotiations.”

He emphasized the tournament’s global appeal, stating, “This has been a juggernaut. We’re not surprised. The time zones and hosting locations align perfectly with U.S. audiences. The U.S. did an excellent job, and I’ve been following it closely.”

While some critics have given Fox mixed reviews, Pitaro commended the network’s coverage. “I’ve been very impressed with Fox’s approach—from live production to studio work. They’ve done an outstanding job. I don’t see how they could have improved further.”

The rights battle is expected to be costly, especially with FIFA planning to expand the tournament to 64 teams in 2030. Reports suggest the deal could range from $1.5 billion to $2 billion, with streaming giants like Netflix and YouTube also vying for rights. Netflix has already secured U.S. and Canadian deals for the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups.

Pitaro also discussed Disney’s leadership transition, praising new CEO Josh D’Amaro for his strategic vision and shared passion for sports. “Bob hired me, and I’ve worked under his leadership for 16 years. Josh shares those qualities—curious, thoughtful, and deeply invested in ESPN’s role within Disney’s strategy.”

On the NFL front, Pitaro noted the partnership remains strong since the league acquired a 10% stake in ESPN through a media asset exchange. “We’re in a great place with the NFL. While we’re managing rising rights costs holistically, our current portfolio of sports rights is the strongest in ESPN’s 47-year history.”

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