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PGATOUR.COM Sets Record for Single Day Video Streaming for Round One Coverage of Accenture Match Play

February 26, 2009 By admin

PGATOUR.COM Sets Record for Single Day Video Streaming for Round One Coverage of Accenture Match Play

Site served 2.5 million videos and recorded second largest day in traffic with more than 1 million unique users

PGATOUR.COM, the online home of the PGA TOUR, announced a record-breaking day for its online video coverage of the first round of the World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship on Wednesday, February 25 by streaming 2.5 million videos in one day.  The site offered comprehensive online hole-by-hole video of Tiger Woods’ first round in the tournament with video posting shortly after the completion of each hole.  PGATOUR.COM also experienced a traffic surge with more than 1 million unique users, the second largest day ever behind the U.S. Open playoff between Woods and Rocco Mediate (1.5 million) on Monday, June 16.  In addition, PGATOUR.COM recorded nearly 24 million page views, up 119% from the opening round of the 2008 Accenture Match Play (10.7 million) in which Woods ultimately was crowned champion.

“The return of Tiger Woods is a major sports story and, as indicated by the record-breaking numbers, fans rely on PGATOUR.COM for the most comprehensive coverage of the action,” said Matthew Hong, vice president and general manager of sports digital for Turner Sports.  “We are thrilled to offer unparalleled online coverage of all PGA TOUR events and we will continue to provide a compelling live experience for golf fans throughout the season.”

PGATOUR.COM launched a ‘Tiger Returns’ microsite to provide real-time updates and exclusive online video content highlighting Woods’ first event since the 2008 U.S. Open.  The site followed his first round on Wednesday, February 25 and will continue to follow his progress throughout all his matches.  PGATOUR.COM is the only online destination with hole-by-hole video coverage, a live scorecard, a live blog from PGATOUR.COM’s T.J. Auclair, live tournament bracket scoring, live audio streaming coverage and all of Woods’ news conferences throughout the tournament.

The official Web site of the PGA TOUR, PGATOUR.COM was launched in 1997 to serve the growing needs of golf fans.  In 2007, the PGA TOUR partnered with Turner Sports to co-produce the site.  With an international fan base following the action of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour, PGATOUR.COM is the number one site in golf.  PGATOUR.COM features official real-time scoring, world-class editorial content, exclusive LIVE@ multimedia coverage and its complete PGA TOUR archive of stats.

Turner Sports, Inc., a Time Warner company, presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming.  With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com.  Turner Sports also manages operations for NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, WNBA.com, NBADLeague.com and NBA League Pass.

Data source: Omniture and PGA TOUR for historical data

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Filed Under: Golf, TNT

Championship Week Begins Thursday, March 5 on ESPN

February 26, 2009 By admin

Championship Week Begins Thursday, March 5
152 Games Across ESPN Networks – Most Ever; 124 Games on ESPN360.com;  New Elements: Big 12 Championship Moves to Saturday; SEC Semifinals on ESPN2; Most High-Definition Games Ever; and Most Women’s Conference Tournament Games Ever
This year’s Championship Week Presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods coverage will include 152 men’s and women’s college basketball conference tournament games from March 5 to March 15 across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN360.com, ESPN FULL COURT, ESPN Mobile TV, ESPN Radio and ESPN International.  It will mark the most extensive Championship Week coverage ever by the networks.  New elements:
  • The Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship game will be aired Saturday, March 14, at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN, a day earlier than in the previous 10 years on ESPN.  In addition, for the first time, ESPN Radio will broadcast Championship Week games, providing coverage of the Big 12 semifinals and championship matchups.
  • ESPN2 will televise the Southeastern Conference Championship semifinal matchups Saturday, March 14, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (outermarket only).
  • A network record 20 women’s conference tournament games across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will be highlighted by 13 Division I title games, two more than last year with the addition of the Western Athletic Conference and West Coast Conference championships on ESPNU.  The action will serve as a lead-in to complete 63-game coverage of the NCAA Women’s Tournament on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN360.com and ESPN FULL COURT March 21 through April 7.
  • With the addition of ESPNU HD – launched on August 28, 2008 – ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD and ESPNU HD will combine to offer 41 games in high definition, the most ever during Championship Week.  Men’s high-definition coverage will include every men’s BIG EAST, West Coast Conference, Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 Conference telecast plus the Horizon League semifinals.  Women’s high-definition coverage will include every BIG EAST and West Coast Conference telecast.
Championship Week action will tip off on ESPNU with the men’s Big South Conference semifinals Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.  Coverage will conclude Sunday, March 15 with five championships (three on ESPNU and one each on ESPN2 and ESPN).  A breakdown of coverage:
  • This season will mark ESPN’s 24th, ESPN2’s 15th and ESPNU’s fourth year of comprehensive coverage.  ESPN will televise 21, ESPN2 34 and ESPNU 28 games.  ESPN360.com will simulcast every ESPN and ESPN2 telecast.
  • ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will feature 63 men’s games, including action from 27 Division I conferences highlighted by 24 Division I championship games and a Division II title matchup.
  • ESPNU, marking its fourth anniversary March 4, will feature 28 men’s and women’s games from 12 Division I conferences and one Division II conference, highlighted by 12 championships – the most-ever title games for the network and two more than the previous high.
  • ESPN360.com, ESPN’s signature, live, sports broadband network, will offer coverage of 124 conference tournament games, including simulcasts of every ESPN and ESPN2 game as well as 69 additional conference tournament games.    ESPN360.com is available at no additional charge to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection from an affiliated service provider.  It is also available at no cost to approximately 18 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via on-campus educational networks (with a “.edu” domain) and military networks (with a “.mil” domain).
  • ESPN Mobile TV, ESPN’s first 24/7 mobile video channel (available on MediaFLO USA’s mobile entertainment service and MobiTV) will offer live simulcasts of 26 men’s and women’s games plus bonus coverage – featuring live extended look-ins – of six others.
  • · The final four days of Championship Week will feature 43 games across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU (March 12 – March 15), highlighted by 14 telecasts on Saturday, March 14.
  • ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to televise 11 games from the men’s BIG EAST Championship, the most national coverage of any conference on ESPN, eight from the ACC (outermarket only), four from the Big Ten and three from the Phillips 66 Big 12 Basketball Tournament.
  • ESPNU will present the Give ‘n’ Go show, featuring whip-around coverage and studio analysis of the night’s best tournament games March 12 (7:30 to 11:30 p.m.).
  • ESPN International will offer extensive coverage of Championship Week games reaching 89.6 million households in 164 countries and territories on ESPN America – Europe (nine games), ESPN America -Middle East (nine games), ESPN 2 Caribbean (23 games), ESPN Pac Rim (six games), ESPN Australia HD (17 games), ESPN Atlantic (five games), ESPN Middle East (eight games), and two games each on ESPN Dos, ESPN China,  ESPN Hong Kong, ESPN India, ESPN Malaysia,  ESPN Philippines,  ESPN Asia, ESPN Taiwan and Star Sports Hong Kong.
The final day of Championship Week – Selection Sunday, March 15 — will begin with a one-hour College GameDay Driven by State Farm at noon on ESPN followed by the ACC Tournament Championship.  Extensive coverage of the men’s NCAA Tournament selection will include three hours of ESPNU Bracketology Presented by Staples: a one-hour edition on ESPN2 at 3 p.m. and a two-hour show at 7 p.m. on ESPN (also simulcast on ESPNU).  ESPNU will televise the third annual NIT Selection Show at 9 p.m. followed by a 90-minute ESPNU Bracketology Presented by Staples at 9:30 p.m.  The following day, ESPN’s Selection Monday coverage will feature the NCAA Women’s Basketball Selection Special at 7 p.m. on ESPN (simulcast on ESPNU).  ESPNU will televise an additional hour of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Selection Special beginning at 8 p.m.
Championship Week Commentator Tidbits:
  • ESPN analyst and Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Knight will serve as a men’s college basketball studio analyst during ESPN’s coverage of Championship Week and throughout the NCAA Tournament.  He will also appear on select ESPN shows and platforms, including SportsCenter, ESPN Radio and ESPNEWS.
  • Len Elmore will call eight games from three tournaments, including the Colonial Athletic Association Championship March 9 in Richmond, Va. (with Dave Pasch), four BIG EAST games March 11-12 in New York City (with Dan Shulman) and three ACC games March 13-14 in Atlanta (with Mike Patrick).
  • Three announcers will work seven games:
  • Shulman and analyst Jay Bilas will work seven of the 11 men’s BIG EAST games within a four-day span, including the title game March 14 at 9 p.m. on ESPN.  Bilas will call the two second round and two quarterfinal primetime telecasts with Sean McDonough and analyst Bill Raftery.  Reporter Doris Burke will work the semifinals and championship.
  • Steve Lavin will work three West Coast Conference telecasts with Terry Gannon and analyst Stephen Bardo March 8-9 and the four Big Ten Conference games with Brent Musburger and Erin Andrews March 12-13.
  • Dick Vitale, in his 30th season with ESPN, will pair up with Patrick and reporter Heather Cox to work two men’s ACC tournament games on ESPN, including a semifinal March 14 and the championship March 15 at 1 p.m.  Patrick and Cox will work five ACC games total.  Brad Nessler and Jimmy Dykes will call the remaining three games, two of them with reporter Jeannine Edwards.
  • Following the ACC quarterfinal matchups in Atlanta March 13, Nessler, Dykes and Edwards will travel to Tampa to work the SEC semifinals the following day on ESPN2. Nessler and Dykes will also call the Southern Conference Championship March 9 on ESPN giving them six games total.
  • In addition to the three West Coast Conference games, Gannon and Bardo will work the Big Sky Championship March 11 and two Western Athletic Conference telecasts March 13-14.
  • Analyst Tim Welsh will work four championship games, more than any other analyst, and six overall.  He will call three games with Lou Canellis (Ohio Valley Conference March 6-7 on ESPNU and ESPN2), two with Dave Barnett (Summit League March 10 on ESPN2 and Patriot League March 13 on ESPN2) and one with Scott Graham (America East Conference March 14 at 11 a.m.).
  • Constant Championship Week studio updates on the men’s action on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. Rece Davis, Karl Ravech, John Saunders, Dari Nowkah and Ryan Burr will split hosting duties with analysis from Bob Knight; Digger Phelps; Jay Bilas; Hubert Davis; Steve Lavin; Jay Williams, Adrian Branch, Doug Gottlieb and Tom Brennan. For ESPNU, Lowell Galindo will host studio coverage with analysis from Adrian Branch and Drew Berry and reports from Andy Katz.
  • Dari Nowkhah and Ryan Burr will rotate as studio hosts with Kara Lawson providing studio analysis during ESPN2’s women’s Championship Week.
ESPN Regional Television
For this year’s Championship Week coverage, ESPN Regional Television will syndicate 31 games, including action from the Big 12 (8 games), BIG EAST (4 women’s games), Metro Atlantic Athletic (6 men’s and 3 women’s games), Sun Belt (2 men’s and 3 women’s games) and America East (2 men’s and 3 women’s games).
ESPN.com
ESPN.com’s Championship Week index page will feature news, analysis, information and results for every conference tournament.  ESPN.com’s Bubble Watch will give fans an in-depth look at teams “on the bubble” and the latest developments on NCAA Tournament selection status.  The site will also preview major conference tournaments, examine storylines and offer in-depth expert examinations.  ESPN.com writers — including senior writers Pat Forde and Andy Katz, writer Dana O’Neil and college hoops writer Mark Schlabach — will file stories from several tournament sites.  Additionally, ESPN.com’s “Bracketologist” Joe Lunardi will update and adjust his Bracketology projections and outlook daily.
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio will present comprehensive Championship Week coverage with updates and reports from the sites of key matchups.  ESPN Radio’s SportsCenter Saturday and SportsCenter Sunday will dive deep into predicting the field of 65.  Also, for the first time, ESPN Radio will be presenting play-by-play coverage of the Big 12 Semifinals and Championship on March 13 and 14 with Marc Kestecher and Will Perdue describing the action.  Additionally, regularly scheduled ESPN Radio programming will include previews and reviews of key contests, analysis by ESPN experts, and interviews with coaches and players preparing for the NCAA Tournament.
A full ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN360.com, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, ESPNU HD and ESPN Mobile TV Championship Week schedule with commentator assignments follows.
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Filed Under: ESPN, NCAA Basketball

ESPN.com’s New Brand Campaign Breaks Today with “Page 2″ Spot

February 26, 2009 By admin

The first of up to seven new TV spots for ESPN.com’s year-long brand campaign featuring TV, print and online elements, will rollout today, Feb. 26, on the ESPN networks. Titled “Page 2”, the 30-second spot features ESPN.com Page 2 columnist Bill “The Sports Guy” Simmons, a shrine to the Boston Celtics, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish mascot,  ESPN Radio Mike and Mike in the Morning co-host Mike Golic, and Serbian tennis table star, Biba Golic.

Created by ESPN and Weiden + Kennedy New York, the campaign seeks to illustrate ESPN.com’s breadth and depth at serving sports fans by giving them instant access to the sports they love and the control to consume it as they desire. The spots will highlight the many kinds of sports journeys a user can create with the limitless flow of information the site provides. Each TV spot will close with an invitation to fans to “Follow Your Sports.”

Filed Under: ESPN

ESPN and FIBA Reach Three-Year Multimedia Pact Beginning in 2009

February 26, 2009 By admin

ESPN and FIBA Reach Three-Year Multimedia Pact Beginning in 2009

Most Comprehensive U.S. Distribution Ever for FIBA World Championship

Up to 268 Games Available Live Across ESPN Platforms

ESPN and FIBA, the world governing body for basketball, have reached a comprehensive three-year agreement (2009-11) making ESPN the exclusive English-language distributor of live games in the United States for the following premiere international men’s basketball tournaments, highlighted by extensive coverage of the 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championship from Turkey. Events include:

  • 2009 FIBA Americas Championship (Aug. 19-30 in Mexico);
  • 2009 FIBA EuroBasket Championship (Sept. 7-20 in Poland);
  • 2010 FIBA World Championship (Aug. 28-Sept. 12 in Turkey);
  • 2011 FIBA Americas Championship (July/Aug in TBD location);
  • 2011 FIBA EuroBasket Championship (Aug/Sept in Lithuania).
ESPN or ESPN2 will combine to televise all United States National Team games, plus additional championship round coverage (outlined below) for each event. The deal will collectively include up to 268 games (many exclusively) available live on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network, and provide broad multimedia rights to FIBA content across ESPN platforms.
“We’re thrilled to partner with FIBA to add this collection of marquee international events to our basketball portfolio,” said John Skipper, executive vice president, content. “This deal fuels ESPN360.com with exclusive content, adding to its robust premier basketball offerings, and provides compelling world championship programming for ESPN and ESPN2 and a variety of other ESPN platforms.  We believe this deal will continue to enhance the tremendous growth of international basketball in the U.S.”
Patrick Baumann, Secretary General of FIBA, said: “We are very pleased to partner with ESPN, who is regarded as the leading sports broadcaster in the USA.  The agreement not only means that the FIBA World and Continental Championships will be extensively covered across the ESPN television, internet and mobile platforms but also that both FIBA and ESPN will be working closely together to further promote international basketball within the USA.”

ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN360.com will provide the following coverage for each championship event:

2009 and 2011 FIBA Americas Championship for Men

  • All 40 games per event live on ESPN360.com;
  • All U.S. National Team games, plus both semifinals, bronze and gold medal games on ESPN or ESPN2.

2009 and 2011 FIBA EuroBasket Championship for Men

  • Up to 54 games per event live on ESPN360.com;
  • Gold medal game on ESPN or ESPN2.

2010 FIBA World Championship for Men

  • Up to 80 games live on ESPN360.com;
  • All U.S. National Team games, plus both semifinals, bronze and gold medal games on ESPN or ESPN2.

ESPN, Inc.

ESPN, Inc. is the world’s leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of over 50 multimedia sports assets. The company is comprised of six domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU), ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS and ESPNU HD simulcast services, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (45 networks, syndication, radio, web sites), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN PPV, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN360.com (Broadband), ESPN Mobile Properties, ESPN on Demand and ESPN Interactive. Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

ESPN360.com

ESPN360.com is ESPN’s broadband sports network that gives fans a 24/7 online destination delivering more than 3,000 live, global sports events annually. It is available at no cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection from an affiliated service provider. ESPN360.com is currently available in nearly 25 million homes via approximately 45 Internet service providers (ISPs) nationwide, up 40 percent in the past 12 months and more than triple its distribution just 2 years ago. Among the affiliated ISPs are AT&T, Verizon, RCN, Insight, Frontier, Cavalier, Charter, Mediacom, Conway, Grande Communications and many more. In addition, ESPN360.com is also available at no cost to approximately 18 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks (those with “.edu” and “.mil” domains).

Consumers wanting more information about ESPN360.com, which Internet services currently provide it, and how they can get it should go to www.espn360.com.

About FIBA

FIBA (www.fiba.com), the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 213 National Federations of basketball throughout the world. It is recognized as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Its main upcoming events are the 2009 FIBA Zone Continental Championships that qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championships for Men and Women, to take place in Turkey and in the Czech Republic respectively.

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Filed Under: Basketball, ESPN

Path to the Draft Begins Monday, March 2 on NFL Network

February 26, 2009 By admin

PATH TO THE DRAFT BEGINS MONDAY, MARCH 2 ON NFL NETWORK

Mike Mayock, Charles Davis, Charley Casserly and Paul Burmeister

Return To Give Football Fans Daily Draft Updates and Analysis

NFL Network continues on the Path to the Draft with the 30-minute shows premiering Monday, March 2 and running right up until the 2009 NFL Draft on April 25-26.  Path to the Draft airs Monday through Friday at 6:30 PM ET providing in-depth analysis on prospective draft choices and a look at each NFL team’s needs during the off-season.

Following the daily draft news and free agent signings will be NFL Network analysts Mike Mayock and Charles Davis alongside former NFL general manager, Charley Casserly and host Paul Burmeister.  Mayock accurately predicted the first six selections and 11 of the top 14 picks in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Path to the Draft features interviews with NFL head coaches, general managers, scouts, and potential draft picks, plus guest analysts to deliver the most updated and relevant information on the 2009 NFL Draft so fans are even prepared for “Mr. Irrelevant” (the final draft choice).

Using coaching tape, along with exclusive Senior Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine and Pro Day workout footage, the Path to the Draft crew will focus on potential NFL prospects and provide insight into which players best suit each NFL team’s needs.

Path to the Draft will encore weekdays at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT and 1:30 AM ET/10:30 PM PT.  In addition, the entire week’s shows will be replayed back-to-back from 10:00 AM ET to 3:00 PM ET on Saturdays.

NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log onto www.nfl.com/nflnetwork. NFL.com is the exclusive internet home of NFL Network.

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Filed Under: NFL, NFLN

ESPN and ESPN Radio Programs Live from ESPN The Weekend

February 26, 2009 By admin

ESPN and ESPN Radio Programs Live from ESPN The Weekend

At Walt Disney World Resort, Beginning Thursday at 6 A.M.

ESPN and ESPN Radio will broadcast live from Walt Disney World Resort during ESPN The Weekend Presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, beginning Thursday, Feb. 26 at 6 a.m. with Mike & Mike in the Morning on ESPN Radio (simulcast on ESPN2). ESPN personalities such as Colin Cowherd, Peter Gammons, Dick Vitale and Stuart Scott are scheduled to participate, along with some 40 athletes, including NFL stars Brett Favre and Kurt Warner; Philadelphia Phillies Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and other members of the World Series champions; U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Shawn Johnson and NBA legend Scottie Pippen, among many others.

ESPN The Weekend (through Mar. 1) will feature on-site telecasts of popular ESPN programs, including Baseball Tonight, First Take, Mike & Mike in the Morning, NFL Live, and interview segments on SportsCenter, as well as experiences inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park for fans to see and hear some of their favorite athletes and ESPN personalities. To view images from 2008 please click here.

ESPN TV and Radio Program Schedule for ESPN The Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort:
Date Time Program Network Commentators
Thurs., Feb 26 6 a.m. Mike & Mike in the Morning * ESPN Radio/ ESPN2 Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic
10 a.m. First Take ESPN2 Jay Crawford, Dana Jacobson, and Skip Bayless
 SportsCenter – Live Segments ESPN TBD
 The Herd* ESPN Radio/ ESPNU Colin Cowherd
1 p.m. MLB Spring Training +
Houston Astros at Atlanta Braves ESPN Karl Ravech, John Kruk, Steve Phillips and Peters Gammons
 Tirico & Van Pelt* ESPN Radio Erik Kuselias
4 p.m. NFL Live ESPN Trey Wingo, Mark Schlereth and Sal Paolantonio
 Jorge Ramos y Su Banda* ESPN Deportes Radio Jorge Ramos
6 p.m. SportsCenter – Live Segments ESPN TBD
Fri.,
Feb. 27 6 a.m. Mike & Mike in the Morning * ESPN Radio/ ESPN2 Greenberg and Golic
10 a.m. First Take ESPN2 Crawford, Jacobson, and Bayless
 SportsCenter – Live Segments ESPN TBD
 The Herd* ESPN Radio/ ESPNU Cowherd
1 p.m. Tirico & Van Pelt ESPN Radio Kuselias
4 p.m. NFL Live ESPN Wingo and Schlereth
6 p.m. SportsCenter – Live Segments ESPN TBD
Sat., Feb. 28 9 a.m. Erik Kuselias Show ESPN Radio Kuselias
 SportsCenter – Live Segments ESPN TBD
6 p.m. SportsCenter – Live Segments ESPN TBD
Sun., Mar. 1 9 a.m. Erik Kuselias Show ESPN Radio Kuselias
 10:30 a.m. SportsCenter – Live Segments ESPN TBD
 4 p.m. Baseball Tonight ESPN Ravech, Gammons, Kruk, Phillips and Chris Singleton
6 p.m. SportsCenter – Live Segments ESPN TBD

Note: All shows will originate from Disney’s Hollywood Studios unless otherwise indicated
* Originating from ESPN Club at Disney’s Boardwalk
+ Originating from Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex

ESPN Commentators and Athletes Scheduled to Participate:
ESPN COMMENTATORS:
John Anderson – SportsCenter
Skip Bayless – First Take and 1st and 10
Colin Cowherd – The Herd
Jay Crawford – First Take
Peter Gammons – Baseball Tonight
Mike Golic – Mike & Mike in the Morning
Mike Greenberg – Mike & Mike in the Morning
Dana Jacobson – First Take
John Kruk – Baseball Tonight
Erik Kuselias – Erik Kuselias Show
Chris McKendry – SportsCenter
Sal Paolantonio – NFL correspondent
Steve Phillips – Baseball Tonight
Karl Ravech – Baseball Tonight
Mark Schlereth – NFL Analyst
Howie Schwab – Stump The Schwab
Stuart Scott - SportsCenter
Chris Singleton – Baseball Tonight
Dick Vitale – college basketball analyst
Trey Wingo – NFL Live

NFL PLAYERS:
Vernon Davis- San Francisco 49ers TE
Donnie Edwards – Kansas City Chiefs LB
Tony Gonzalez- Kansas City Chiefs TE
Steven Jackson – St. Louis Rams RB
Brandon Jacobs – New York Giants RB
Maurice Jones Drew- Jacksonville Jaguars RB
Charles Tillman – Chicago Bears CB
Adam Vinatieri – Indianapolis Colts K
Kurt Warner- Arizona Cardinals QB
Brian Westbrook- Philadelphia Eagles RB
Roy Williams – Dallas Cowboys WR
LaMarr Woodley- Pittsburgh Steelers LB
LEGENDS:
Tony Dorsett (Dallas Cowboys)
Brett Favre (NY Jets)
Jim Kelly (Buffalo Bills)
Warren Moon (Houston Oilers)

MLB PLAYERS:
Lance Berkman- Houston Astros 1B
Joba Chamberlain- New York Yankees P
Jeff Francoeur- Atlanta Braves RF
Matt Garza- Tampa Bay Devil Rays P
Ryan Howard- Philadelphia Phillies 1B
Tim Hudson- Atlanta Braves P
Carlos Lee – Astros LF
Brad Lidge- Philadelphia Phillies P
Derek Lowe – Braves P
Brian McCann- Atlanta Braves C
Roy Oswalt – Houston Astros P
Hunter Pence- Houston Astros RF
Jimmy Rollins- Philadelphia Phillies SS
CC Sabathia- New York Yankees P
Curt Schilling- Free Agent: P
Shane Victorino- Philadelphia Phillies OF
LEGENDS:
Dennis Eckersley (Oakland A’s)
John Franco (New York Mets)
Rickey Henderson (Oakland A’s)
Jim Palmer (Baltimore Orioles)

NBA LEGENDS:
Bill Laimbeer (Detroit Pistons)
Rick Mahorn (Detroit Pistons)
Scottie Pippen (Chicago Bulls)

U.S. OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALISTS:
Shawn Johnson – Gymnastics
Misty May-Treanor – Beach Volleyball

TENNIS LEGENDS:
Mary Joe Fernandez- Tennis Legend
Ivan Lendl- Tennis Legend

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Filed Under: ESPN

Kenseth Tries to Go 3 for 3 in Vegas Sunday on FOX

February 26, 2009 By admin

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

NASCAR on FOX Goes All-In With Sprint Cup Racing From Las Vegas

Digger Learns Love Is No Picnic on “The Adventures of Digger & Friends”

MATT KENSETH LOOKS TO HIT JACKPOT AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY – Fresh off victories at Daytona and Fontana, the 2009 season couldn’t have started more positively for Matt Kenseth. This Sunday, March 1 at 3:30 PM ET, FOX Sports covers Kenseth’s quest to make it three-of-a-kind when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rolls into Las Vegas. Prerace host Chris Myers along with analysts Jeff Hammond and Darrell Waltrip bring fans all the news and features from the Hollywood Hotel, FOX Sports’ traveling prerace set. Once the green flag drops, race announcer Mike Joy will be alongside Waltrip and Larry McReynolds to call all the twists and turns on the track while Dick Berggren, Steve Byrnes, Krista Voda and Matt Yocum patrol the pits for up-to-the-second reports on teams and pit stops.

DIGGER LEARNS LOVE IS NO PICNIC ON SUNDAY’S INSTALLMENT OF “THE ADVENTURES OF DIGGER & FRIENDS” – As NASCAR on FOX rolls into Las Vegas Motor Speedway, so does a fresh episode of THE ADVENTURES OF DIGGER & FRIENDS. In the third installment, “Picnic Trick”, Digger’s girlfriend Annie accuses him of watching too much NASCAR and not spending enough time with her. In an effort to make it up to her, Digger comes up with the perfect plan – a romantic picnic on the infield during the race!  But when his loving gesture looks to be ruined by a visit from Lumpy Wheels, can Digger and Annie work together to save themselves and their romantic day?! Tune in Sunday to NASCAR on FOX’s prerace (3:30 PM ET) to find out.

‘KILLER BEES’ KEY TO KENSETH’S FAST START – After going 2 for 2, the voice of NASCAR and FOX Sports’ race announcer, Mike Joy, explains Matt Kenseth’s early success: “What makes Matt Kenseth so good?  Well, he didn’t have the fastest car in California.  At various times in the race that was either Jeff Gordon or Greg Biffle.  What he does have is the best crew on pit road, known as the Killer Bees.  It goes all the way back to the days when Kenseth first joined the Rousch Team at the Sprint Cup level with crew chief, former adversary Robbie Riser.  Riser’s crew, ripped off world class pit stops and this year, they’re doing it again.  You can believe that teams are studying whatever video they can get of Kenseth’s pit crew to find out why they’re so fast.”

For video and additional commentary from Mike Joy along with a webcast of what NASCAR on FOX analyst Jeff Hammond thinks of Jeff Gordon’s chances this weekend in Las Vegas, visit:  http://msn.foxsports.com/video

NASCAR ON FOX FROM FONTANA IS WEEK’S HIGHEST-RATED MOST-WATCHED SPORTS EVENT – FOX Sports’ coverage of the AUTOCLUB 500 Presented by Quaker State on Sunday evening (2/22) was the top-rated, most-watched sports event of the week.  According to Nielsen Media Research, the race posted a 6.0/10 national household rating/share, with 10.2 million viewers watching, by far the highest-rated and most-watched sports event of the week.  Sunday’s AUTOCLUB 500 coverage also fared well opposite expected stiff competition from the Academy Awards.  FOX’s 5.9/9 prime time household average on Sunday fared +28% better than FOX’s recent performance versus the Oscars (4.6 average from 2004 to 2007), and +13% better among adults 18-49 (3.6 vs. 3.2).  Last year’s NASCAR race opposite the Academy Awards show was delayed by rain and pre-empted the planned prime time lineup, so it was excluded from this comparison.

– FOX SPORTS –

Filed Under: FOX, NASCAR

Bassmaster Classic Sets Records Across Platforms; Draws More than 137,000 Fans to Event

February 26, 2009 By admin

Bassmaster Classic Sets Records Across Platforms; Draws More than 137,000 Fans to Event

A record number of fans consumed exclusive 2009 Bassmaster Classic content featured across BASS and ESPN’s vast multimedia vehicles. The multimedia blitz was supplemented by a record on-site crowd of 137,700 fans at daily tournament weigh-ins and surrounding festivities, obliterating the previous record set in New Orleans by more than 55,000.

“By all metrics, including the compelling content that was delivered to fans worldwide, the Bassmaster Classic was an absolute success,” said Tom Ricks, vice president and general manager, BASS. “The continued growth of the Classic is a testament to the personalities and story lines associated with our athletes.”

The event, held on the Red River, was won by Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., who collected the $500,000 top prize from the $1.2 million purse. The Classic was hosted by Shreveport-Bossier City. The events’ successes this year included:

  • On Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and ESPN.com, fans generated more than 12.3 million page views of bass fishing content between Feb. 18 and Feb. 23 – 64% higher than the same period last year.

  • Live, streaming video of the daily Classic weigh-ins were presented on ESPN360.com for the first time, and fishing fans watched more than 1 million minutes of weigh-in coverage during the event. The Classic was one of the most watched sporting events of the month on ESPN360.com.

  • ESPN’s Mike Golic and Erik Kuselias helped kick off the Classic with a live broadcast of ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning from Red River South Marina on Friday, Feb. 20, 6-10 a.m. ET. The live broadcast from the Red River South Marina was delivered to the show’s 418,000 daily listeners on 220 radio stations nationwide and simulcast on ESPN2 reaching another 232,000 viewers – an increase of 31% vs 2008.

  • The 12 hours of ESPN2 coverage included a 3% increase in the Male 18+ demographic (.36 vs .35) and in Male 18+ Impressions (337,309)

  • For the first time, a Bassmaster Classic mini-marathon aired on ESPN Classic on Feb. 22. The final hour of the five hours of coverage received the highest ESPN Classic rating of 2009.

  • From an international perspective, ESPN International will air the 2009 Classic on the following networks: ESPN Africa (sub-Saharan Africa), ESPN Middle East (ME & North Africa), ESPN Israel, ESPN Pac Rim (Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands), ESPN 2 Caribbean ESPN Dos (Mexico, Central America, Venezuela, Dominican Rep). The Bassmaster Classic will reach 10.1 million household in 106 countries on ESPN networks.

  • From a media perspective, a Classic record, since ESPN purchased BASS in 2001, of more than 320 working media members attended the 2009 Bassmaster Classic. On-site media included publications such as The Dallas Morning News, Miami Herald, San Diego Union Tribune, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Arkansas Democrat Gazette and Austin American Statesman.

Bassmaster Classic sponsors: Toyota, Berkley, BOOYAH, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNOutdoorsMedia.com for BASS and ESPN Outdoors’ latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video, audio clips and more.

About BASS

For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content – from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage – to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

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Filed Under: ESPN

HBO – Four world class players;Three matches; One title; One Night

February 26, 2009 By admin

MARY CARILLO, BILLIE JEAN KING AND JOHN McENROE

TO CALL HBO SPORTS’ LIVE COVERAGE OF THE

“BNP PARIBAS SHOWDOWN FOR THE BILLIE JEAN KING CUP”

JELENA JANKOVIC VS. VENUS WILLIAMS

SERENA WILLIAMS VS. ANA IVANOVIC

NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2009 – Veteran tennis broadcasters Mary Carillo, Billie Jean King and John McEnroe will team up for HBO Sports’ live coverage of the inaugural “BNP PARIBAS SHOWDOWN FOR THE BILLIE JEAN KING CUP.” Providing lively commentary, timely opinions and revealing analysis, Carillo, King and McEnroe will call all the action from Madison Square Garden as the event airs live MONDAY, MAR. 2 (7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT) exclusively on HBO.

The event will be replayed on HBO later that night at 1:00 a.m. ET/PT.

“The notion of having Mary, Billie Jean and John broadcasting together during our live coverage of the ‘BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup’ is nirvana for tennis fans in the U.S.,” said Bernstein.  “They are three of the most compelling figures in tennis broadcasting, and we’re delighted that they will be in the booth, calling the action for this brand new event.”

Rounding out the HBO Sports broadcast team is long-time tennis commentator and sideline reporter, Michael Barkann.  Renowned for the off-beat and fun interview style he’s brought to the U.S. Open sidelines for years, Barkann will handle a similar role for this HBO special.

The “BNP PARIBAS SHOWDOWN FOR THE BILLIE JEAN KING CUP” pits four of the world’s top female tennis players, including 2009 Australian Open Champion Serena Williams, 2008 Grand Slam Champions Venus Williams and Ana Ivanovic, along with 2008 year-end World No. 1 Jelena Jankovic against each other in a one-night only single elimination event which will also celebrate tennis legend Billie Jean King.   The prize pool for the players is $1.2 million.

The order of matches for Monday’s night event will be Jelena Jankovic vs. Venus Williams in the opening semi-final match.  Serena Williams will meet Ana Ivanovic in the second semi-final.   Following a break, the two winners will play in the finals.

This event will mark the return of professional tennis to HBO.  For 25 consecutive years, beginning in 1975, HBO was the exclusive cable network home of the Wimbledon championships.

“We are very excited to be telecasting the ‘BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup,’” said Ross Greenburg, president HBO Sports. “We have had a relationship with Billie Jean since 1984 and it’s wonderful to be associated with this unique event.”

The pool of players for this one night event is unprecedented, including three women who over the course of the 2008 season held the World No. 1 ranking and all four of whom have been No. 1 at least once in their career. The grouping also consists of three Grand Slam winners, as well as four of the eight qualifiers of the WTA Championships which was recently captured by Venus Williams in Doha.

Serena Williams, currently ranked No. 1 in the latest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Rankings after capturing the 2009 Australian Open Singles and Doubles Championships, holds a total of 46 titles (33 singles / 13 doubles) at Tour events, including 20 Grand Slam titles (ten singles titles, eight doubles titles and two mixed doubles titles). In 2008 Serena played in the finals at Wimbledon and captured her third US Open title when she defeated Jelena Jankovic at the USTA Center in New York and returned to the World No.1 ranking, which she held for four weeks in 2008.

Venus Williams, a former World No. 1, is currently ranked No. 5 after claiming victory in the Dubai Open and is the reigning Wimbledon champion.  In 2008 she captured her fifth Wimbledon title in the past nine years and her first ever season ending Sony Ericsson Championships title in Doha.  Just recently Venus won the 2009 Australian Open Doubles Championship with sister, Serena.  Venus has accumulated a total of 40 career singles and 12 doubles titles, highlighted by 17 Grand Slam titles (seven singles, eight doubles and 2 mixed doubles).

The Williams sisters as a team recently captured the 2009 Australian Open Doubles Championship, the 2008 Wimbledon Doubles Championship and for the second consecutive Olympic Games captured the women’s doubles gold medal.  Together they have won a total of 13 doubles championships including eight Grand Slam doubles titles.

The 21-year-old Serbian, Ana Ivanovic, had a career year in 2008.  Ivanovic, currently ranked No. 7 in the world, began with a finals appearance at the Australian Open, and then captured her first Grand Slam title with an impressive victory over Dinara Safina in the French Open at Roland Garros allowing her to claim the World No.1 ranking, a mark she would hold for 12 weeks.  Ivanovic has now compiled a total of 8 career singles titles.

Rounding out the field will be the former World No. 1 player, Jelena Jankovic. Currently ranked No. 3 in the world, the young Serbian’s consistent play week in and week out led her to reach the quarterfinals or better at 20 of 22 tournaments in 2008, including 4 titles – Rome, Beijing, Stuttgart, and Moscow.  Jankovic’s Grand Slam play has resulted in two semi-final appearances at the Australian Open and French Open and of course her memorable match against Serena Williams at the US Open finals.

In this unique format, each participant will compete in a one set, no ad scoring semi-final  with the winners advancing to a best of three set final (regular scoring with tiebreakers) for the Billie Jean King Cup.

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Filed Under: HBO, Tennis

NBA on TNT Continues with a Studio Visit from NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade

February 26, 2009 By admin

NBA on TNT Continues with a Studio Visit from NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade during Halftime of Cavaliers @ Rockets

All-Star Game co-MVPs Kobe and Shaq battle in Game #2 of the exclusive doubleheader

TNT NBA Thursday continues with a studio visit from Miami Heat guard and five-time All-Star Dwyane Wade and an exclusive doubleheader featuring LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers taking on Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets at 8 p.m. ET.  Marv Albert (play-by-play), Mike Fratello (analyst) and Reggie Miller (analyst) will call the game with David Aldridge reporting.  Wade will visit the studio during a special T-Mobile Halftime Report alongside Ernie Johnson (host), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Charles Barkley (analyst), which will feature limited commercial breaks. The second game will feature a battle between the co-MVPs of the 2009 NBA All-Star Game when Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers host Shaquille O’Neal and the Phoenix Suns at 10:30 p.m. ET.  Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Doug Collins (analyst) will be courtside with Craig Sager reporting.  The night will conclude with the Emmy® award-winning studio show Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai with Johnson (host), Smith (analyst) and Barkley (analyst).  The show will feature another edition of “Thompson Timeout,” with TNT’s John Thompson sitting down with New York Knicks guard and 2009 Slam Dunk Champion Nate “Krypto-Nate” Robinson to talk about his breakout season in the Big Apple.

Filed Under: NBA, TNT
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