They would indeed. ESPN's football viewing figures are lower than Sky Sports',BBC's and ITV's on a VERY regular basis, and (not that I like to compare the two) this sport is worlds apart on following numbers. Should ESPN win a bidding war, I think they'll bitterly regret a) paying more than Sky, b) having less than half the viewers and c) losing money in the process as it becomes an unpopular slot for advertisers.

Picture quality last year (when I watched a bit) was pretty shocking though. Has it improved?

Hmmm £6.99 per month for 150 games.

Will hang fire for picture quality but sounds good.

Firstly, it's nice to see some interest in RL from the major TV companies but I'd hate to think Super League coverage would be moved from SKY to ESPN though. SKY have made our sport since SL began and I for one want to see it stay. The audience figures would be down too, a lot of people have SKY Sports packages and can casually tune in and out of the rugby but I wouldn't have thought ESPN's subscribers would be anywhere near the same.

I'd simply cancel sky sports and order ESPN. I only have the sports for the rugby anyway. (mainly)

Indeed and then in 3 years time SKY pick SL back up for 10 bob and a sherbert dib-dab when ESPN realise they haven't pulled in the viewers they expected and dont even bid for it.