Coldplay + ESPN + Soccer = GLOBAL DOMINATION

May 7th, 2008 | Posted by PostmanR

You know, I am going to use this opportunity on our scarcely updated and  poorly trafficked blog to profess a liking for the musical stylings of Coldplay. Sure, they’re overly sappy and lovey and Parachutes might be their best effort and subsequent releases haven’t quite matched up, but damn it, Chris Martin still woos me.  They combine the sappiness with the music in a way that doesn’t seem forced or corny. This is what separates them from say, Gavin DeGraw. Or Train. Or that kid on your dorm floor freshman year that thought he was a musician. (A caveat: I will not defend Coldplay for any of the knocks against them. In fact, I agree with all of it. But I still like them, man.  Sometimes it’s best to enjoy your music like that — realizing the ridiculousness of the setup, but grooving to what is actually coming out of the amplifiers.)

So hey, new album about to drop, UEFA barreling around the corner,  time to drop some tunes on the ESPN crowd.

Coldplay and ESPN have signed a marketing deal that will have the rock band promoting soccer and the sports network promoting the band’s new album.

The marketing campaign announced Wednesday will use Coldplay’s music in promotions for ESPN’s coverage of the Euro 2008 soccer tournament, which is scheduled for June 7-29 in Austria and Switzerland.

ESPN has also agreed to incorporate music from Coldplay’s new release, “Viva La Vida,” into game and studio production. The CD is due out June 12.

Now if you’ll excuse, I have some Times New Viking to go listen to.