ESPN isn’t broadcasting the men’s World Cup for the first time since 1990, and that is enough of a change to how the network covers the tournament.
The change is much deeper than not being able to televise live games from Russia. The network can’t show game footage on any of its studio shows or on its website, and SportsCenter is limited to two minutes of highlights per show — and only from 6 pm. to midnight Eastern.
The restriction — which only applies to this tournament, because ESPN negotiates with FIFA rights-holder Fox on an event-by-event basis — is forcing ESPN to get creative when it comes to covering the World Cup.