Britain’s Fury signs bumper broadcast deal with ESPN

LONDON, Feb 18, (RTRS): British heavyweight Tyson Fury has signed a broadcast deal under which his fights will be shown exclusively on ESPN platforms in the United States.

No financial details were disclosed, but British newspaper the Daily Mail reported on Monday that the deal was worth 80 million pounds ($103 million), while the BBC reported that it covered Fury’s next five fights.

Fury and promoter Frank Warren signed the deal with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions, which has a multi-year contract with ESPN, and the agreement calls for Fury to fight a minimum of two bouts per year in the United States.

British broadcaster BT Sport will continue to hold the rights for Fury’s fights in the UK.

“I’m delighted,” Fury said. “With ESPN and BT Sport behind me, the biggest sports platforms in the world are now linked up with the best heavyweight in the world.”

The deal with ESPN could have an impact on the 30-year-old’s rematch with WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

The American has been in negotiations with Fury’s camp over a rematch of their Dec 1 draw at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, but Wilder has a longterm relationship with rival US television network Showtime.

Their bout in December was aired on Showtime in the United States, and the two fighters’ relationships with the rival networks could complicate negotiations over the rematch.

Fury, however, said his deal with ESPN would make the Wilder fight easier to set up. three seasons at Texas A&M, added 19 points and tied a season high with 13 rebounds for the Bulldogs.

Chennedy Carter had 28 points for Texas A&M (19-6, 8-4) before fouling out with about 5-1/2 minutes left.

Iowa 86, Maryland 73 In Iowa City, Iowa, Megan Gustafson scored 24 of her 31 points in the second half and Iowa beat Maryland to tie the Terrapins for the Big Ten lead.

Gustafson also had 17 rebounds, and Tania Davis scored 13 points. The Hawkeyes (21-5, 12-3) have won 10 of 11. Stephanie Jones led Maryland (23-3, 12-3) with 21 points. Marquette 109, Seton Hall 63 In South Orange, New Jersey, Natisha Hiedeman scored a career-high 34 points and Danielle King added 20 to lead Marquette past Seton Hall.

Marquette (22-4, 13-1 Big East) bounced back from a loss to St. John’s on Friday night that ended a 12-game winning streak. Desiree Elmore scored 21 points for Seton Hall (14-12, 6-9).

Stanford 69, USC 67 In Los Angeles, Alanna Smith made a layup with three seconds left to lift Stanford past USC.

Despite losing a fingernail in the first quarter, Smith had 23 points and 12 rebounds to help the Cardinal (214, 11-3 Pac-12) rally after trailing for most of the game. DiJonai Carrington added 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Minyon Moore had 18 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Trojans (15-10, 5-9).

S. Carolina 96, Florida 77 In Gainesville, Florida, Alexis Jennings scored a season-high 22 points, Bianca Cuevas-Moore added 19 and Destanni Henderson had 18 for South Carolina.

Tyasha Harris added 11 points and 10 assists to help the Gamecocks (19-6, 11-1) stay tied atop the