ESPN’s John Skipper joins US bid committee for World Cup in 2018 or 2022

ESPN’s Skipper joins US World Cup bid committee

NEW YORK — ESPN’s John Skipper joined the committee that is trying to bring the World Cup to the United States in 2018 or 2022.

Skipper, the network’s executive vice president for content, has been among the biggest proponents of expanding soccer broadcasting in the U.S.

“His expertise across the company’s array of platforms will greatly serve our ability to communicate the attributes of our bid throughout the rest of the bidding process,” USSF president Sunil Gulati, chairman of the U.S. World Cup bid committee, said Tuesday.

ESPN and ABC, both owned by The Walt Disney Co., will broadcast next year’s World Cup and own rights to the 2014 tournament.

England and Spain are seen as the leading contenders for 2018. The U.S., the 1994 World Cup host, is viewed as a top candidate for 2022. FIFA’s executive committee will vote in December 2010.

Australia, England, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands-Belgium, Russia and Spain-Portugal have filed to host both World Cups. Qatar and South Korea bid for 2022 only.

Other U.S. board members include former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, University of Miami president Donna Shalala, men’s national team star Landon Donovan, former women’s team star Mia Hamm, comedian Drew Carey, Washington Post chief executive officer Katharine Weymouth and New England Patriots and Revolution owner Robert Kraft.