English Premier League: All Games of Final Matchday to Be Aired Live in US

Hey American football fans, don’t you love the NFL and all their terrible contractual obligations?

They will not let you watch your favorite team play unless you are in the stadium, in the market and the game is sold out, it doesn't interfere with a higher-rated game, the broadcaster is not obligated to cut to another one in the middle of play or the NFL decides it is a primetime-worthy game?

Well, here is one more reason why soccer does things right to appease both the fans and their checkbooks.

In their latest-ditch effort to push the sport on to Americans, US broadcasters will combine to play every single EPL game of the final matchday live starting at 10 a.m. May 13^th. This means whether you want to see how your favorite club will finish out the season or check in on the always exciting relegation battle, you have the freedom to do so.

Disney Corporation-owned ESPN2 and the many channels owned by News Corp. will be the broadcasters for the event, with ESPN2 getting first pick of the matches based on their contract with the league.

You will be able to jump around all you like between ESPN2, FX, SPEED, FSN, FUEL TV, Fox Soccer and Fox Soccer Plus, with one simulcast on Fox Deportes. There will also be one game streamed live through FoxSoccer.com and two through Fox Soccer 2Go. Fox will even have live cutaways to the other matches, to keep you up to date without having to fumble around with your remote.

“Survival Sunday,” as it has become known, as is arguably one of the most exciting days in sports. Despite the likelihood of the league winner already being decided by then, there is plenty still at stake. With five teams still involved in a very tight relegation battle and four fighting for what could be just one Champions League spot, there is a lot of pride at stake, but more importantly, tens of millions of dollars.

None of the teams involved in either of these races have easy matches. Chelsea, who could be fighting for a Champions League spot, will take on Blackburn, who are trying to stay up. QPR will have to get a positive result against Manchester City to stay in the league. Wolverhampton would like to go down with some pride by beating just-out-of-relegation Wigan in their final Premier League match.

Then, of course, there is the scoring title. Robin van Persie once seemed the clear winner but is seeing his lead slowly vanish as Wayne Rooney cannot seem to miss. And which patriotic supporter does not want to see Clint Dempsey end his stellar season with another goal or two?

Now, this is not all hunky-dory. Most of these channels require upgrade cable or satellite packages. The streamed games alone require a separate subscription. But the fact is that for the first time in history they are all out there available for American-based fans to watch, and this is a very good thing!

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