ESPN Deportes acquires Spanish-language rights to the 2008 Caribbean Series.

ESPN Deportes and Cultiva Entertainment have reached an agreement that makes ESPN Deportes the exclusive Spanish-language home in the U.S. to the 2008 Caribbean Series when it is held in Santiago, Dominican Republic February 2 – 7.

Under the terms of the agreement, ESPN Deportes will offer exclusive Spanish-language coverage of the six-day tournament beginning with the opening game between the Dominican Republic and Venezuela at 3 p.m. ET. For the first time in its history, the Caribbean Series will be played in its totality in Santiago at Cibao stadium, home to Aguilas Cibaenas, one of the most prolific teams in winter baseball. In 1976, Santiago was the host city for two of the 12-game series. To date, the Dominican Republic has been the host of seven Caribbean Series (1972, 1976, 1980, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2004), all in Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

“The Caribbean Series is the pinnacle of the winter baseball season and is without question considered one of the most popular baseball events among our core audience,” said Lino Garcia, general manager, ESPN Deportes. “By adding this property to our roster of winter baseball programming which already includes all the active leagues in the confederation, we seal our coverage of winter baseball with a grand slam.”

“The 2008 Caribbean Series will be celebrating its 50th edition in the Dominican Republic,” said Juan Francisco Puello, Commissioner, Caribbean Confederation of Professional Ballplayers. “We take pride in joining forces with a sports leader like ESPN Deportes to bring the celebration home to fans in the United States.”

Since 1949, the Caribbean Series, a 12-game round robin tournament between the best team of Mexico, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, has crowned a champion nation. The tournament has served as a platform to showcase the best competition of Winter League Baseball. Major League Players who have participated in Winter League baseball include legends such as Roberto Clemente, Fernando Valenzuela, David Concepcion and Juan Marichal. Current players who have developed their skills in Winter League ball include Johan Santana, Carlos Beltran, Robinson Cano, and Miguel Cabrera, among others.

This season the Puerto Rican League recessed from play in Winter League Baseball, therefore the Dominican Republic league will feature two representative teams in the upcoming tournament. Puerto Rico is expected to re-join the tournament next year.

This season ESPN Deportes televised more than 50 games of the winter leagues from the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Venezuela.

Championships Series to date:

— Dominican Republic (1970 to date) – 15 Championships
— Puerto Rico (1949 to date) – 14 Championships
— Cuba (1949 – 1960) – 7 Championships
— Venezuela (1949 to date) – 6 Championships
— Mexico (1971 to date) – 5 Championships
— Panama (1949 to 1960) – 1 Championship