Spain's World Cup Win Is Most Watched Men's Soccer Game in U.S.
Spain’s win over the Netherlands in the World Cup final was the most watched men’s soccer match in U.S. history, according to Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN network.
Yesterday’s game, which was televised by Disney’s ABC network, drew 15.5 million viewers in the U.S., ESPN said in an e-mailed statement. Andres Iniesta scored the only goal in the final four minutes of extra time to give Spain a 1-0 victory and its first World Cup title.
The U.S.’s 2-1 loss to Ghana in the round of 16 on June 26 had been the most watched men’s soccer game, drawing 14.9 million viewers on ABC.
“It was evident from the overwhelmingly positive reaction just how much fans were drawn to the spectacle of this global sports event,” ESPN Executive Vice President of Content John Skipper said in a statement. “We’re already looking ahead with great anticipation to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.”
Only the 1999 women’s World Cup final between the U.S. and China drew a bigger American television audience than yesterday’s men’s title match, with 17.975 million viewers.
To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Matuszewski in New York at matuszewski@bloomberg.net
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