One of the biggest TV sports networks in America will broadcast the MLG pro circuit in 2009. MLG's website today announced the partnership that will see World of Warcraft broadcast live via the company's ESPN360 service.

This is the another step in ESPN's coverage of esports, having partnered with MLG in the past for the likes of Dr Pepper's Ultimate Gamer. They are arguably the first mainstream TV network in America to take esports seriously, having shown highlights of MLG events in the past. But although this new arrangement won't quite put WoW on people's television screens, it is another leap forward in esports' mainstream progress.

The site will only stream the opening night's "kickoff games", however, as the remainder will be on MLGPro. But it does mean that WoW will be streamed from the same website as NBA, NFL and MLB. The likes of Ryan 'Realz' Masterson will be given the same platform as some of America's favourite sportsmen.

Image courtesy of GotFrag