Sports Media News

Keeping Up With All The Industry Press Releases

Archives for January 2010

Blackhawks and Sharks Vie for Western Supremacy on NHL Network U.S. Thursday Night

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BLACKHAWKS AND SHARKS VIE FOR WESTERN SUPREMACY ON NHL NETWORK U.S. THURSDAY NIGHT

NEW YORK (January 27, 2010) – Having waged a season-long battle for first place in the Western Conference and the best overall record in the National Hockey League, the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks will meet face-to-face for the fourth and final time in the 2009-10 regular season Thursday night at HP Pavilion. And NHL Network™ U.S. will be on hand to broadcast the clash in HD to a nationwide audience.

Relentlessly pursuing their third straight Pacific Division title and second Presidents’ Trophy in a row, the Sharks have won five straight games and possess the League’s top record, 35-10-8. Forwards Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley all rank among the NHL’s top 10 scorers. And Evgeni Nabokov is among the top five goaltenders in the League in wins (30), goals against average (2.17), save percentage (.928) and shutouts (five).

All-Star San Jose defenseman Dan Boyle, who ranks third among NHL blueliners in scoring with 10 goals and 33 assists, will preview the clash when he appears this afternoon on NHL Live!, which is broadcast every weekday from noon to 2 p.m. ET on Sirius XM Radio, simulcast on NHL Network and streamed live on NHL.com.

Following up their resounding run to the Western Conference Final last season, the Blackhawks sit atop the Central Division with a 36-13-4 record and are just two points behind San Jose for first place overall in the NHL. Winger Patrick Kane leads the Hawks and ranks sixth in the NHL in scoring with 59 points (21-38-59). Defenseman Duncan Keith has 11 goals and 37 assists and is making a run at his first Norris Trophy.

Chicago has won two of the teams’ three meetings this season. A goal 41 seconds into overtime by D Brent Seabrook gave the ‘Hawks a 4-3 victory in Chicago Nov. 15. RW Marian Hossa scored two goals in his Blackhawks debut in a 7-2 Chicago romp ten days later in San Jose. Nabokov stole the show Dec. 22 in Chicago, when the Blackhawks outshot the Sharks, 47-14, only to have San Jose prevail, 3-2, on a goal and assist each by Thornton and Heatley.

About NHL Network
As the definitive hockey destination, NHL Network offers viewers a 24-hour all-access pass to complete hockey coverage both on and off the ice, including live NHL games.  The network’s daily signature show – NHL On The Fly – offers fans exclusive live look-ins to NHL games, including goals, shootouts, features, interviews, pre- and post-game reports and expert analysis from a variety of hockey insiders and former players, plus special coverage from NHL events.  Additional programming includes simulcast of Sirius XM Radio’s “NHL Live” which broadcasts Mon-Fri from NHL Powered By Reebok, international and amateur hockey, player profiles, interview shows and youth-oriented programs.  NHL Network is available in the U.S. and Canada by contacting digital cable or satellite providers.  For more information log on to nhlnetwork.com.

NHL is a registered trademark and the NHL Shield, NHL Network name and logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League.  All Rights Reserved.

###1/27/10

CBS College Sports Network & Maxpreps.Com Offer Wall-To-Wall Coverage Of National Signing Day

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CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK AND MAXPREPS.COM OFFER WALL-TO-WALL MULTI-MEDIA COVERAGE OF

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL SIGNING DAY ON WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3

Seantrel Henderson, the Nation’s No. 1 Ranked Prep Recruit, to Make Exclusive, Live College Announcement on CBS College Sports Network

Extensive Content on MaxPreps.com Includes Information on Over 2,000 Division I Recruits

Recruiting Expert Tom Lemming Joined in Studio by Phillip Fulmer

CBS College Sports Network and MaxPreps.com, the leading online high school sports network, will offer the most extensive coverage of college football’s National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 3, including five hours of live coverage, plus all day interactive online content on MaxPreps.com.  MAXPREPS NATIONAL SIGNING DAY PRESENTED BY OLD SPICE kicks off on CBS College Sports Network with a one-hour program from 11:00 AM – NOON PM, ET, followed by four live continuous hours of coverage from 3:00 – 7:00 PM, ET.

Two of the nation’s top-ranked prep recruits, offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson (Cretin-Derham Hall/St. Paul, Minn.) and defensive end J.R. Ferguson (Hargrave Military Academy/Frederick, MD.), will announce their college selections live, exclusively on CBS College Sports Network during the afternoon show (3:00 – 7:00 PM, ET).  Henderson, Lemming’s No. 1-ranked overall recruit and Parade Magazine’s National Player of the Year, is deciding between Ohio State, Florida, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, USC, Minnesota and Miami.  Ferguson, Lemming’s No. 26-ranked overall recruit and No. 7-ranked defensive end, is deciding between Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame, California and LSU.

MAXPREPS NATIONAL SIGNING DAY PRESENTED BY OLD SPICE features host Adam Zucker, along with CBS College Sports Network football recruiting expert Tom Lemming and former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer.  Aaron Taylor reports from Los Angeles, where he will visit with USC and UCLA.

The show will also feature interviews with college coaches, including Brian Kelly (Notre Dame), Urban Meyer (Florida), Mark Richt (Georgia), Greg Schiano (Rutgers), Dave Wannstedt (Pittsburgh) and many more, analysis from MaxPreps.com National Football Editor Stephen Spiewak, in addition to comprehensive video footage and in-depth analysis of elite recruits and recruiting classes, live cut-ins to player commitment press conferences, conference breakdowns and a special look at the top crop of juniors.

Located at maxpreps.com/signingday, MaxPreps.com’s 2010 Signing Day site offers continuous multi-media coverage leading up to and throughout Signing Day, including breaking news and in-depth analysis by MaxPreps.com experts, final rankings of the top national recruiting classes and Lemming’s top 100 list, a comprehensive player commitment database with a dedicated page to every Division I recruit.  In addition, MaxPreps.com will have a 48-hour live interactive blog the day before and the day of National Signing Day. Included will be breaking news, expert opinions, and interaction amongst users.

In addition, the over 200 official athletic school sites produced by CBSSports.com College Network, will offer live streaming press conferences and exclusive on-demand video content, with various in-depth features and individual recruit highlight packages. Participating schools include top programs such as Michigan (MGoBlue.com), North Carolina (tarheelblue.com), Notre Dame (und.com), Oklahoma (soonersports.com), Texas (texassports.com), UCLA (uclabruins.com), USC (usctrojans.com), UTAH (utahutes.com) and Wisconsin (UWBadgers.com). The online content can be accessed through each individual school’s All-Access broadband product.

Tom Lemming is the nation’s leading football recruiting expert, tirelessly logging thousands of miles each year to evaluate more than one thousand of the top high school football players across the country.  He is also featured on the MAXPREPS LEMMING REPORT, the network’s weekly recruiting show, which breaks down the nation’s top prep football recruits.

CBS Sports To Broadcast Super Bowl XLIV

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January 27, 2010

CBS SPORTS TO BROADCAST SUPER BOWL XLIV LIVE ON FEBRUARY 7

Jim Nantz and Phil Simms Call Super Bowl XLIV

CBS News’ Katie Couric to Contribute to THE SUPER BOWL TODAY

PHIL SIMMS ALL-IRON TEAM: SUPER BOWL EDITION Highlights

All-Time Super Bowl Team by Traveling from Hawaii to Ireland

CBS’s New Reality Series, UNDERCOVER BOSS, Premieres Following Super Bowl XLIV

CBS Sports culminates its coverage of the 2009-10 NFL season with SUPER BOWL XLIV on Sunday, Feb. 7 (6:28 PM, ET kick-off) from Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Fla., live on the CBS Television Network.  CBS Sports last broadcast the Super Bowl in 2007 when the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Chicago Bears, 29-17.  Super Bowl XLIV will be the Network’s 17th Super Bowl broadcast overall.

CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action, marking the second time in his illustrious 25-year CBS Sports broadcasting career that Nantz calls play-by-play for the Super Bowl.  Nantz called his first Super Bowl in 2007 and hosted the Network’s Super Bowl pre-game show, THE SUPER BOWL TODAY, in 2001 and 2004.  Simms provides analysis for his sixth Super Bowl, the fourth for CBS Sports.  Nantz and Simms are joined on the broadcast by NFL ON CBS analysts Steve Tasker and Solomon Wilcots serving as sideline reporters.  Super Bowl XLIV is produced by Lance Barrow, Coordinating Producer, THE NFL ON CBS, and directed by Mike Arnold.

CBS Sports’ coverage of Super Bowl XLIV begins with THE SUPER BOWL TODAY, the Network’s pre-game studio show (2:00-6:00 PM, ET) with host James Brown along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, as well as NFL Insider Charley Casserly, reporters Lesley Visser, Sam Ryan, Tasker, Wilcots and contributor Dick Enberg.

CBS News anchor of THE CBS EVENING NEWS, Katie Couric, serves as a special contributor and will provide a special report during the pre-game show.

Eric Mann is senior producer and Bob Matina is director of THE SUPER BOWL TODAY.

Sean McManus is President, CBS News and Sports and serves as executive producer for the Network’s coverage of the NFL and Super Bowl XLIV.  Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

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Following is a preliminary schedule of pre-game programming on CBS (all times Eastern):

12:00 NOON, ET: ROAD TO THE SUPER BOWL – Celebrating its 40th anniversary as the longest-running and most honored (28 Emmy Awards) annual sports special, ROAD TO THE SUPER BOWL, re-lives the 2009 NFL season.  Culled by NFL Films producers from more than 1.7 million feet of game footage to 980 feet, the one-hour special also includes audio from more than 400 hours captured from 133 exclusive coach and player on-field wirings.  Original orchestral music, including a 60-person choir, was used in producing the show.  ROAD TO THE SUPER BOWL debuted following the 1969 season,

1:00 PM, ET: PHIL SIMMS ALL-IRON TEAM: SUPER BOWL EDITION—CBS Sports’ lead NFL analyst and former N.Y. Giants Super Bowl XXI MVP Phil Simms, and his broadcast partner, Jim Nantz, host the eighth edition of his All-Iron Team.  This year these men make up Simms’ All-Time Super Bowl team that best represent the qualities of Iron Men and have defined their roles in their teams winning a championship.  Traveling all over the world from Hawaii to Ireland, the PHIL SIMMS ALL-IRON TEAM includes the first broadcast interview in 20 years with Jake Scott, a safety from the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins team and Super Bowl VII MVP, who now lives a simple life in Hawaii; and looks at a day-in-the-life of Steelers owner Dan Rooney, who is currently serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.  Also included in the show is an in-depth look at legendary defensive guru Buddy Ryan, architect of the famed “46-Defense” which led the Chicago Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX and father of New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan.  The All-Iron Team consists of six Hall of Famers, 37 combined Super Bowl wins, 46 combined Super Bowl appearances, seven combined Super Bowl MVP Awardees and four combined NFL MVPs.  [The All-Iron Trophy is an old fashioned iron emblematic of Simms’ obsession with ironing.  According to his mother, as a child Phil pressed his football and baseball uniforms, and to this day remains committed to creases.]

2:00 PM, ET: THE SUPER BOWL TODAY—James Brown, Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher anchor the Network’s pre-game show live from Sun Life Stadium in Miami previewing all the football and excitement leading up to Super Bowl XLIV.   Reporters Lesley Visser, Sam Ryan, along with Steve Tasker and Solomon Wilcots, as well as contributor Dick Enberg, will cover the pre-game activities.  Other special contributors include CBS News’ anchor of THE CBS EVENING NEWS Katie Couric.

Sponsors of the pre-game show include: Ritz (2:00-3:00 PM, ET); Doritos (3:00-3:30 PM, ET); Monster.com (3:30-4:00 PM, ET); Pizza Hut (4:00-5:00 PM, ET); Callaway (5:00-5:30 PM, ET) and Vizio (5:30-6:00 PM, ET).

6:00 PM, ET: SUPER BOWL ON CBS KICK-OFF SHOW

The SUPER BOWL ON CBS Kick-Off Show will be sponsored by Hyundai.

6:28 PM, ET: SUPER BOWL XLIV – Kick-off of Super Bowl XLIV live from Miami on the CBS Television Network.

Immediately following “The Intel SUPER BOWL TODAY Post Game Show,” CBS premieres its new reality series UNDERCOVER BOSS.

UNDERCOVER BOSS—CBS’s new reality series that follows high level corporate executives as they slip anonymously into the rank and file of their own companies.  Each week, a different executive will leave the comfort of their corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their corporation.  While working alongside their employees, they will learn about themselves, the effects their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organization, the perception of their company and discover the unsung heroes of their work force.  The post-Super Bowl XLIV premiere episode on February 7 features Larry O’Donnell, C.O.O. of Waste Management.

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Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night – Tuesday, January 26, 2010

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Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night – Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Los Angeles Lakers (115) @ Washington Wizards (103)

Voting is open on NBA.com for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air on Tuesday,

Feb. 2. Fans can select between the following games:

Memphis Grizzles @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Detroit Pistons @ New Jersey Nets

Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets

Los Angeles Clippers @ Chicago Bulls

Atlanta Hawks @ Oklahoma City Thunder

Toronto Raptors @ Indiana Pacers

Milwaukee Bucks @ Orlando Magic

CLIP OF THE DAY

(click on link below to watch)

NBA TV’s Kevin McHale and Chris Webber tease Ernie Johnson for the fans’ pick for “Fan Night”

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AutoTrader.com Pre-Game Show

Ernie Johnson, Kevin McHale and Chris Webber

McHale on the positive side of long road trips from a coaching perspective: “From a coaching perspective, you get to be around the team a lot. You are having a lot of shoot-arounds and more practice time. You are traveling and on the plane you have a chance to really talk to guys. It is an opportunity to really define your roles and allows you to sit down with guys and spend a little extra time with them on the road.  At home as a coach, you are conscience that guys want to get out of practice and get home to their families. And on the road you have more time with video and stuff.  I think it is a good tool for coaches.”

Webber on the positive side of long road trips from a player’s perspective: “This is definitely bonding time for the players, I think more than practice time. You want to be able to get away with your teammates and not have the distractions of home. I know guys that loved the road when they had newborn babies. It does add to that time of camaraderie.  You are going to go through a tough spell. Whether you are tired and you win all your games or whether you are fresh and lose all your games; no matter how it goes, you are going to go through something and that is going to bring you together.”

Webber on Lakers guard Kobe Bryant’s poor shooting lately not due to his broken finger: “All great players slump so I think it is just a slump. To me, common sense says everything heals as time goes on. I think right now he has just had some bad games. If he has 60 tonight, then I wouldn’t be surprised because that is who Kobe is. I don’t put too much on the finger, I put it more on his longevity in the league.”

McHale on the Lakers’ poor defense contributing to their recent losses: “They have given up more than 103 points a game in the five losses and that is unusual for them. They are usually a good team that plays good solid defense. Their defense has backslide a little bit. This game in Washington tonight is a big game for them. They have to get this ship ready because they have three games before they play Boston in the (TD Banknorth) Garden. And they surely don’t want to be going in there searching. They need to find some rhythm because everyone is talking about the potential Celtics-Lakers playoff matchup.”

Webber on the Wizards’ frontcourt of Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and Antawn Jamison: “I saw a disturbing number especially with Flip (Saunders’) system. If you play for Flip, he is going to give you easy shots and easy buckets. The number is 144 assists to 207 turnovers between these three. These guys are good players and good teammates but if we are really honest about it we can take Brendan Haywood out, because he really doesn’t have post moves. Between Caron Butler and Antwan Jamison somebody has to pass the ball, somebody has to be the facilitator. You can not be selfish, selfish leads to bad defense, selfish leads to bad offense, and selfish leads to alienating teammates. The fact that they have this many more turnovers than assists, shows me that nobody is getting anyone involved and no one cares about anyone else’s game but their own.”

McHale on the up and down year for Washington head coach Flip Saunders: “That is a very un-Flip like statistic. Flip’s team usually moves the ball and has a nice solid assist total but very low turnover totals. I know that has got to be driving him crazy. I have talked to some of the guys in Washington and they really are struggling right now, they are trying to find an identity. The year has been so disjointed for them. Gilbert wasn’t really Gilbert in November he was searching for himself, trying to figure out what was going on, a bunch of new players were getting adjusted to Flip’s system and then the gun situation happened.”

Webber on the impact of the Gilbert Arenas / Javaris Crittenton situation on the Wizards’ franchise: “I think it is going to have a very big impact.  Just to be honest, (Wizards head coach) Flip (Saunders) wasn’t given a great team anyway. I disagreed with the re-signing of Gilbert Arenas. This team is not built for the NBA. What is their identity? Do they have scorers?  Do they have shooters?  Do they pass it?  It hasn’t been allowed to let Flip put his imprint on it because of all the different changes. For me, if I were a Washington fan, I would almost want to rebuild and start with younger players that I could rally behind and watch them grow up. That could be a solution.”

McHale:  “If you are (Wizards general manager) Ernie Grunfeld sitting in Washington right now, you have to look at everything. If Arenas’ contract is voided, which is a possibility because he did plead guilty to a felony, and they make a trade like Antwan Jamison, they could get well below the cap next year and start over. I would say right now that I agree with Chris.  What is their identity? Where are they going?”

NBC news correspondent Luke Russert joined Fan Night live in studio for the pregame show

Russert on being a Wizards fan this year: “We came into the season with really high expectations. I was fired up about the Mike Miller/Randy Foye trade and we opened the season at Dallas with a resounding victory.  I thought the ship was right; Gilbert looked okay and then everything imploded. I could have handled having a bad season on the court.  Obviously the issues off the court made a lot of guys question what the nucleus of this team was about. I do have faith in (Wizards general manager) Ernie Grunfeld I think he can right the ship here. I just have my fingers crossed for the John Wall lottery. If Amar’e (Stoudemire) wants to come, I have a nice package for him.”

Russert on what he would like to see as a fan happen for the Wizards: “We season ticket holders here in Washington have constantly had a lot of change. You (Chris) were supposed to be the franchise player for 15 years but they got rid of you for Mitch Richmond, which I’m still upset about. What I would like to see is someway to keep Caron Butler because he really is a leader. He brings that intensity to the floor every single night that I think a lot of people can feed off of that.  I like Andray Blatche; I think if he has a few more years of maturing, he will get there.  I’m not completely sold on Nick Young yet but I think he has the skills and talent.  I like Dominic McGuire, if he would put on a few more pounds and learn how to play the post. If they could keep a nucleus on some of those guys then I’m okay with the rest of the team being traded away. I don’t know about starting all anew though. We had a good decade going and it is just a shame to see it all come down like this.”

Russert on having interned with Conan O’Brien:  “Conan is a good friend of mine and I wish him all the best. I think he really was heartfelt and sincere at the end of his last show when he said how much he loved NBC having been there for 20 years. Most likely he will come back on another network in September, who knows if it is Fox or if he goes to cable. I know wherever he goes he will be funny. The man is funny, I’ll tell you that. He keeps it in the Irish brotherhood and has a place in my heart.”

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T-Mobile Halftime Report

Johnson, McHale and Webber

Webber on Clippers center Chris Kaman’s comment about Lakers forward Pau Gasol not playing enough games to qualify for the All-Star Game: “Can you say we need that game on Fan Night – Lakers vs. Clippers?  I did take that into consideration with Pau (Gasol) being out. Sometimes you show you’re an All-Star by not being with the team, (like) Kevin Garnett.”

Webber on Lakers guard Shannon Brown’s chances in the Sprite Slam Dunk: “I do like (Shannon Brown’s) chances but if he has one weakness, it is that he is more of a one-legged jumper than two. In the dunk contest, you have to be able to jump off both legs instead of one, in order to show variety. But he can jump with the best of them and I think he has a great chance.”

Webber on Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace in the Sprite Slam Dunk contest: “I have him picked to win; I just hope his heart is in it. If his heart is in it, then he can definitely win.”

McHale on his pick to win the Sprite Slam Dunk contest: “I’m going to go with little Nate Robinson just because he is a two-time champion. I’m going with experience in Nate.”

McHale on what Wizards head coach Flip Saunders should say to the team going into the third quarter: “(Saunders should say,) ‘I’m going to get some guys that can play defense. I’m going to get some guys that are going to fight. I’m going to get some guys that are going to make the extra pass and if you are not going to do it that then you are going to have to sit down by me. It is not a difficult game if you are not willing to make your teammates better, sit down by me. If you are not willing to work hard on defense, then sit down by me.’ Then (he should) walk out. It is a two minute speech.”

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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Johnson, McHale and Webber

Webber on the Lakers needing to win consistently on the road: “You can actually see a chink in the Lakers’ armor.  When they lose, you can point to something.  I think the Lakers want to make sure that you remember who they are all the time.  They can’t have that big ‘S’ (Superman) on their chest and guys not waiting for (other teams) to come (after them).  Any game with them on this road trip is a big game because they are the biggest game of the year (for the home team), besides when LeBron (James) comes to town.”

McHale on the Wizards’ struggles this season: “When you watch them play, they don’t make the extra pass quick enough.  They take the dribble or just hold the ball.  Their spacing isn’t good either.  You shouldn’t hold on to the ball.  Make a crisp pass early and make your teammates better.  (The Wizards) don’t make their teammates better.”

Webber on the Dallas Mavericks: “I believe in Dirk Nowitzki.  I like the coach and his staff but I don’t know about their identity yet.  I do think they are the best team in Texas now; they have finally taken that over.  But do they do it with offense or defense?  Dirk is having an MVP year because I don’t know the identity of this team and because he’s so consistent.”

Webber on the improvement of the Charlotte Bobcats: “(The Bobcats) are (turning it around) and you have to give (head coach) Larry Brown all of the credit.  Two years ago, I was rooting for them to make the playoffs.  Last year, they hit a bad three game slump that took them out of playoff contention.  They’ve built this team with draft picks, one trade to get Gerald Wallace and another to get Stephen Jackson.  I hope Charlotte is proud of this team because this team plays hard, they’re physical, they rebound and they’re aggressive.  They are going to make some noise in the postseason.  They are going to be a good team.”

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ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball Features Star-Studded Early Season Schedule

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ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball Features Star-Studded Early Season Schedule

Three Appearances by Yankees and Phillies

ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball – the exclusive, national game of the week – will showcase a star-studded early season schedule, including three appearances by the World Champion New York Yankees and National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies.  The Sunday Night Baseball lineup will also include multiple appearances by the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals.

Major League Baseball’s elite players will also be on display, including the defending champion New York Yankees’ Derek Jeter, league MVP winners Joe Mauer (A.L., Minnesota) and Albert Pujols (N.L., St. Louis), the Angels’ Torii Hunter, Atlanta’s Chipper Jones, Boston’s David Ortiz, Philadelphia’s Chase Utley, the Mets’ David Wright, Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder, and Texas’ Josh Hamilton.

The April and May Sunday Night Baseball schedule follows (all telecasts begin at 8 p.m. ET, unless noted).  Game selections for the remainder of the season will be made three weeks (June and July 25) or two weeks (August and September) in advance.  All Sunday Night Baseball telecasts are also available in high definition on ESPN HD and via ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile TV.

Date Teams (8 p.m. ET unless noted)
April 4 Opening Night: New York Yankees at Boston (ESPN2 HD)
April 11 St. Louis at Milwaukee
April 18 New York Mets at St. Louis
April 25 Atlanta at N.Y. Mets
May 2 N.Y. Mets at Philadelphia
May 9 N.Y. Yankees at Boston
May 16 Philadelphia at Milwaukee
May 23 N.Y. Yankees at N.Y. Mets
May 30 Texas at Minnesota (ESPN2 HD)
June 6-27 TBD
July 4 Kansas City at L.A. Angels
July 11 Chicago Cubs at L.A. Dodgers
July 18 Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs (6 p.m.)


Spring Training and Opening Day on ESPN

ESPN will televise 10 Spring Training games, each weekday at 1 p.m., beginning March 22 through Friday, April 2.  ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to televise five opening day games Monday, April 5 – St. Louis at Cincinnati at 1 p.m. (ESPN HD), Cleveland at Chicago White Sox at 2 p.m. (ESPN2 HD), Chicago Cubs at Atlanta at 4 p.m. (ESPN HD), San Francisco at Houston at 7 p.m. (ESPN2 HD), and Minnesota at the L.A. Angels at 10 p.m. (ESPN2 HD).

The 2010 campaign will mark the 21st consecutive season of Major League Baseball on ESPN.  ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to televise 80 regular season games, which will be simulcast on ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile TV.  For the 13th year, ESPN Radio will provide coverage from Opening Night through the final game of the World Series.

ESPN’s vast MLB offerings include: the exclusive Sunday Night Baseball franchise; Monday Night Baseball, including up to three co-exists (shown in local markets) per team; Wednesday Night Baseball; and the acclaimed Baseball Tonight, the most-viewed destination for MLB highlights, news and information.  ESPN will also continue to televise the State Farm Home Run Derby and additional All-Star related events.

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NHL Network Celebrates Hockey Weekend Across America with Special Grassroots Programming: Highlights Include U.S. Hockey Hall Inductions, NCAA Rivalries and Golden Celebrations

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NHL NETWORK CELEBRATES HOCKEY WEEKEND ACROSS AMERICA
WITH SPECIAL GRASSROOTS PROGRAMMING
Highlights include U.S. Hockey Hall Inductions, NCAA Rivalries and Golden Celebrations

NEW YORK (January 26, 2010) – NHL Network™ U.S. announced today that it will broadcast two days of grassroots programming to celebrate USA Hockey’s Hockey Weekend Across America, presented by Reebok, Jan. 29-31.

The puck drops for this celebration of hockey on Friday, January 29 at 6:00 p.m. ET, with a special broadcast of the 2009 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremonies that were held in Boston.  Former NHL All-Stars Tony Amonte, Tom Barrasso and John LeClair were inducted, along with the 1998 US Women’s Olympic Team and the late Frank Zamboni. An NCAA match-up of Top Five rivals follows at 8:30 p.m. ET, when No. 3-ranked Denver meets No. 4 North Dakota in live game action.

Golden moments is Sunday’s theme.  Back-to-back gold medal triumphs in the World Under-17 Challenge and IIHF World Junior Championship give Team USA momentum heading into the upcoming 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.  And, beginning at 11 a.m. ET, NHL Network U.S. will reprise four thrilling games from those tournaments – including all three medal-round games for the Under-20 titlists, culminating with the overtime thriller against arch-rival Canada that was an instant classic.

USA Hockey’s celebration of the third annual Hockey Weekend Across America provides fans and players of all ages the opportunity to become involved in the greatest game on ice.

Friday, January 29
6:00 p.m. – U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (HD)
8:30 p.m. – NCAA Hockey: Denver at North Dakota

Sunday, January 31
11:00 a.m – World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Gold Medal Game: USA vs. Canada-Ontario
1:00 p.m. – 2010 IIHF WJC Quarterfinal: USA vs. Finland (HD)
3:00 p.m. – 2010 IIHF WJC Semifinal: USA vs. Sweden (HD)
5:00 p.m. – 2010 IIHF Gold Medal Game: USA vs. Canada (HD)

About NHL Network
As the definitive hockey destination, NHL Network offers viewers a 24-hour all-access pass to complete hockey coverage both on and off the ice, including live NHL games.  The network’s daily signature show – NHL On The Fly – offers fans exclusive live look-ins to NHL games, including goals, shootouts, features, interviews, pre- and post-game reports and expert analysis from a variety of hockey insiders and former players, plus special coverage from NHL events.  Additional programming includes simulcast of Sirius XM Radio’s “NHL Live” which broadcasts Mon-Fri from NHL Powered By Reebok, international and amateur hockey, player profiles, interview shows and youth-oriented programs.  NHL Network is available in the U.S. and Canada by contacting digital cable or satellite providers.  For more information log on to nhlnetwork.com.

###1/26/10

TNT NBA Thursday Continues with Exclusive Announcement of 2010 NBA All-Star Reserves

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TNT NBA Thursday Continues with Exclusive Announcement of 2010 NBA All-Star Reserves

Doubleheader follows featuring Celtics @ Magic and Mavericks @ Suns

TNT will have the exclusive announcement of the 2010 NBA All-Star reserves on Thursday, Jan. 28 during a special one hour edition of NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com beginning at 7 p.m. (ET) with Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst). TNT’s exclusive coverage of the 2010 All-Star Game from Dallas, TX will air on Sun., February 14 at 8:30 p.m. (ET).

Following the pre-game show, the network will present an exclusive doubleheader.  The first game will feature Eastern Conference All-Star starter Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic hosting Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics at 8 p.m. (ET).  Marv Albert (play-by-play) will call the game alongside Reggie Miller (analyst) with Craig Sager reporting.  In the second game of the night, Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks will visit Western Conference All-Star starter Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns at 10:30 p.m. (ET).  Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Doug Collins (analyst) will be courtside with Cheryl Miller reporting.  The Emmy® award-winning studio show Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai with Johnson, Barkley, Smith and Webber will recap the games.

This week, TNT will announce the nominees for its ‘TNT All-Decade Presented by esurance: Buzzer Beaters: Regular Season’ category.  Fans can visit NBA.com’s ‘TNT All-Decade Presented by esurance’ page (http://www.nba.com/alldecade/vote3/) to view clips of the previously announced nominees and cast a vote on who they think should win.   ‘TNT All-Decade’ includes the top performances, games and moments throughout the 2000’s and winners will be announced in a special one-hour show airing during TNT’s exclusive coverage of NBA All-Star Saturday Night on Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. (ET).

Exclusive content, analysis from TNT announcers and replays of Inside the NBA are available on TNT OverTime on NBA.com. The broadband channel gives fans the inside scoop on players, coaches and storylines taking place around the league seven days a week.   Check out the NBA on TNT pages on Twitter (http://twitter.com/NBAonTNT) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com) to see the latest NBA on TNT schedule, news updates and special features from TNT announcers.

TNT NBA THURSDAY SCHEDULE:

DAY/DATE

TIME (ET)         EVENT

Thursday,  Jan. 28

7 p.m.                      NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com

Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)

8 p.m.                      Boston Celtics @ Orlando Magic

Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

10:30 p.m.               Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns

Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Doug Collins (analyst) and Cheryl Miller (reporter)

Post-game             Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai

Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)

NBA ON TNT UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Thursday,  Feb. 4

8 p.m.                      NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com

Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

8:15 p.m.                 Miami Heat @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Mike Fratello (analyst), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

10:30 p.m.               San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trail Blazers

Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Doug Collins (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)

Post-game             Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai

Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

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“We did not expect the running game to play this well against the number-one ranked New York Jets defense.” — DEION SANDERS on the Colts Running Game vs. Jets — Quotes from Championship Sunday Edition of NFL Network’s ‘NFL GameDay Final’

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Championship Sunday (Jan. 24, 2010) – Quotable from NFL GameDay Final on NFL Network

***NFL NETWORK COVERAGE OF 2010 PRO BOWL AND SUPER BOWL XLIV***

More Than 65 Hours of LIVE Coverage From South Florida January 27-February 8

“We did not expect the running game to play this well against the number-one ranked New York Jets defense.”

– DEION SANDERS on the Indianapolis Colts running game vs. New York Jets

“Number 4 had a fantastic season. It didn’t end the way he wanted it to, we all know that, but did he make the Vikings better? You’re darn right he did.”

– STEVE MARIUCCI on Vikings QB Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings

“What a day to be named ‘Pierre’ in the National Football League.”

– RICH EISEN on Saints RB Pierre Thomas’ 14 carries for 61 yards, 1 TD in win vs. Vikings and Colts WR Pierre Garcon’s 11 receptions for 151 yards, 1 TD in win vs. Jets

“The key was you had six fumbles and lost three of them. That was the difference in the game. In every category, the Minnesota Vikings should have on those [NFC Championship] hats.”

– DEION SANDERS on the Minnesota Vikings’ 31-28 loss vs. New Orleans Saints in NFC Championship game

“They played the ‘bend, don’t break’ defense and they played it to perfection. You can give up as many points as you want, as long as you have one more than the other team in the end. That’s playing ‘bend, don’t break.’”

– MICHAEL IRVIN on the New Orleans Saints defense

“When you give this guy an opportunity, he can make these throws, he can make these plays. He is a winner.”

– MICHAEL IRVIN on Jets QB Mark Sanchez’s 80-yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards

“These guys made crucial plays at crucial times.”

– MICHAEL IRVIN on Colts WRs Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon

“The rush defense for the Colts was the key to this game. They needed to play well and they did.”

– STEVE MARIUCCI on the Colts rush defense

“I defy anyone to put together a season like that at age 40.”

– RICH EISEN on Vikings QB Brett Favre

“His biggest asset is his biggest liability. He’s a gunslinger.”

– MICHAEL IRVIN on Vikings QB Brett Favre

“He looks like a Mayweather opponent.”

– DEION SANDERS on Vikings QB Brett Favre’s physical appearance in postgame presser

“He’s a finesse player, but he’ll run you over when he wants to.”

– MICHAEL IRVIN on Saints RB Reggie Bush

***        Additional exclusive video clips from Sunday’s NFL GameDay Final are available on NFL.com.  Click on the video segments.  These videos include:

–       Scott Hanson 1-on-1 with Colts WR Pierre Garcon

–       http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d815f2caf/Garcon-on-win

–       Deion Sanders’ “Let’s Go Primetime”

–       http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d815f3be6/Let-s-go-Primetime

–       Eisen, Mariucci, Irvin and Sanders discuss Favre’s future

–       http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d815f33b8/Favre-s-future

–       Can’t-Miss plays from the championship games

–       http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-miss-plays/09000d5d815f16d4/Championship-Can-t-Miss-Play-Bumble-n-fumble-n

–       And many more Championship Sunday highlights and postgame video only on NFL.com.

Jeff Fisher, Jim Mora, Jr. Guest Analysts on Monday’s ‘The Head Coaches’

Steve Mariucci, along with special guests Jeff Fisher and Jim Mora analyze the strategy and decision-making that were the difference-makers in determining Super Bowl XLIV’s participants on Monday’s The Head Coaches at 6:30 PM ET.

Stanley Cup Final Rematch This Sunday On NBC Sports When Defending Champion Penguins Host Red Wings

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STANLEY CUP FINAL REMATCH THIS SUNDAY ON NBC SPORTS WHEN DEFENDING CHAMPION PENGUINS HOST RED WINGS

“It would not surprise me to see both of these teams back in the Stanley Cup Finals.” – NBC’s Olyczyk

Tampa Tribune (1/18): NBC Sports’ hockey coverage “picked up where it left off last season – among the best sports coverage on television.”

Crosby-Ovechkin Rematch Flexed Into Feb. 7 “Game of the Week”

NEW YORK – Jan. 25, 2010 -Pittsburgh and Detroit will meet for the first time since the Penguins defeated the Red Wings, 2-1, in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final on the NHL “Game of the Week” this Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports.

Mike “Doc” Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (inside-the-glass reporter) call the action. McGuire will pull double duty, hosting NBC’s studio show alongside analyst Mike Milbury on site at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh and Detroit have met for the last two Stanley Cup Finals with the Red Wings winning in 2008 and the Penguins capturing the Cup in 2009. The Penguins are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference with 65 points, while the Red Wings (58), who have suffered through a number of injuries, are tied for eighth in the Western Conference.

OLCZYK ON DETROIT AFTER THEY REGAIN THEIR INJURED PLAYERS: “They will be a dangerous team, tough medicine for any team that might take them on in the Western Conference. It would not surprise me to see both of these teams back in the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive year.”

EMRICK: “Because they have reached the Stanley Cup Final in each of the previous two seasons, these have been two of the busiest teams in the history of the sport, playing so many games. But it doesn’t show in their performances. Both teams leave it all out there.”

TAMPA TRIBUNE (1/18) ON NBC SPORTS’ HOCKEY COVERAGE: “[It] picked up where it left off last season – among the best sports coverage on television.”

CLOSE GAMES: All of NBC Sports’ NHL games this season have been decided by one goal and two needed extra time to determine a winner. Yesterday, the Penguins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1, on a power-play goal by Matt Cooke with 1:47 remaining. In NBC’s inaugural “Game of the Week” on Jan. 17, the Chicago Blackhawks needed a shootout to beat the Red Wings, 4-3, in Detroit. The Boston Bruins needed overtime to defeat the Flyers, 2-1, at Fenway Park on New Year’s Day in the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.

OLYMPIANS IN THE GAME: Sunday’s game features 12 players who will compete for their respective Olympic teams in Vancouver in February.

USA
Pittsburgh, D Brooks Orpik
Detroit, D Brian Rafalski

CANADA
Pittsburgh, F Sidney Crosby
Pittsburgh, G Marc-Andre Fleury

FINLAND
Detroit, F Valtteri Filppula

RUSSIA
Pittsburgh, D Sergei Gonchar
Pittsburgh, F Evgeni Malkin
Detroit, F Pavel Datsyuk

SWEDEN
Detroit, F Henrik Zetterberg
Detroit, F Tomas Holmstrom
Detroit, D Nicklas Lidstrom
Detroit, D Nicklas Kronwall

NBCSPORTS.COM: NBCSports.com will again offer “Star-cam” this season, tracking a player from both teams throughout each of their shifts. Following the game, NBCSports.com will present bonus material, including “Star-cam” and “Net-cam” and bonus analysis from NBC Sports commentators.

PENGUINS AT CAPITALS FLEXED INTO FEB. 7 “GAME OF THE WEEK”: Commissioner Gary Bettman announced last week on his SIRIUS XM Radio program that the Sunday, Feb. 7, Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals game was flexed as NBC Sports’ “NHL Game of the Week” (Noon ET). Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin last spring delighted the sports world with a memorable seven-game playoff series, including both superstars recording a hat trick in Game 2, that elevated what had been a rivalry between individuals into what many are calling the NHL’s best current team rivalry. Last week at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, the Capitals defeated the Penguins, 6-3, in the first meeting between the two teams of the season. Ovechkin scored two goals, while Crosby had one.

FLEX SCHEDULING & CONSISTENT 12:30 PM ET START TIME: Again this year, “Game of the Week” broadcasts will consistently start at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sundays (except for Feb. 7 and Apr. 11, Noon ET start times). For the third straight season, the NHL and NBC Sports will utilize flex scheduling and will be able to select from up to four games on Sunday afternoons. At least 13 days prior to the scheduled games, the NHL and NBC Sports will announce one of those games as the “Game of the Week” to be broadcast during the NBC Sports window. The other games will remain available to the teams’ regional carrier but will not be televised during NBC Sports’ broadcast window.

2010 NHL GAME OF THE WEEK REGULAR-SEASON FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
(All Games Announced At Least 13 Days Prior)

Sunday, Jan. 31, 12:30 p.m. ET
Detroit @ Pittsburgh (Flexed)

Sunday, Feb. 7, 12:00 p.m. ET
Pittsburgh @ Washington (Flexed)

Sunday, Mar. 7, 12:30 p.m. ET
Boston @ Pittsburgh
Detroit @ Chicago
Carolina @ Atlanta

Sunday, Mar. 14, 12:30 p.m. ET
Philadelphia @ New York Rangers
Pittsburgh @ Tampa Bay
Colorado @ Dallas
Washington @ Chicago

Sunday, Mar. 21, 12:30 p.m. ET
New York Rangers @ Boston
Buffalo @ Carolina

Sunday, Apr. 4, 12:30 p.m. ET
Detroit @ Philadelphia

Sunday, Apr. 11, 12:00 p.m. ET
Boston @ Washington
New York Rangers @ Philadelphia
Detroit @ Chicago

Digital Spotlight on the 2010 Winter X Games

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Digital Spotlight on the 2010 Winter X Games

Full coverage content on XGames.com; Mobile product launches including the new X Games SnoCross game app; Dedicated Winter X Games multimedia store on iTunes

The world of action sports will come together next week for Winter X Games 14, and ESPN Digital Media will be there to share the experience through several new interactive product launches and services online and on mobile.  Fans can log on now to XGames.com for the latest news, event info, athlete bios and more.  Also available beginning today is the new X Games SnoCross mobile game app featuring avatars of X Games medalists Levi LaVallee and Heath Frisby.  On Monday, action sports fans looking for more multimedia content – including video, films, music, podcasts, apps and more – will be able to find it all in one place when the iTunes Winter X Games landing page launches.

XGames.com

From now through the four-day series live from Aspen (Jan. 28-31) and concluding with post-event coverage, XGames.com brings online readers the latest on WX14.  Previews of the relevant names and stories leading up to the event, breaking news and info, detailed service information, schedules, invited riders and info for spectators and visitors to Aspen are available now.

Profiles also feature star athletes like Shaun White and snowmobiling’s LeVallee.  Video content includes footage of the famed double cork, the best female snowboarder the IOC’s never heard of and the heroes of adaptive winter sports.  Additional content available now and upcoming include:

  • Countdown to X blog with contributors Alisa Mokler, Eric Skogman, Lynn Keillor Michell Hurni, Nicole Dreon and Vince Castellanos;
  • Twitter feeds from some of the biggest names in the game plus updates from @ESPNXGAMES;
  • Writing and commentary by Page 2’s Mary Buckheit, The New York Times‘ Matt Higgins and ESPN.com’s John Symms.
  • Live video, blogs, results and athlete chats each day;
  • Photos featured in the site’s sleek Winter X Games branded slideshow;
  • Video highlights hub.

Mobile & Games

For a Winter X Games experience through the convenience of a mobile device, the new X Games SnoCross mobile game app for iPhone and iPod Touch devices — developed in conjunction with 2XL Games — is available now for $4.99 in the Apple iTunes App Store.  Players get a taste of the action sports rush through console-like graphics, by attempting double-back flips on a snowmobile and other interactive features.  Users have the option to play as their own avatars or as X Games medalists LaVallee and Frisby, both designed with their very own custom sled designs.  The game challenges players through 6 unique tracks, including the WX14 snocross course, plus 2 additional freestyle levels and an X Games Championship mode.  Community features include a Wi-Fi multiplayer mode with up to 5 opponents plus game statistics and leaderboards via live.2xlgames.com.  A live ESPN sports feed ticker also highlights the latest news.

Other features and tools exclusively available on mobile devices include:

ESPN Mobile Web:

  • During the event, fans can go to http://espn.mobi/wx for WX14 results, schedules and a new photo slideshow daily;
  • Wallpapers and ringtones sold directly through XGames.com/Cell.

Alerts and Updates:

  • ACTION Updates: Spectator fans in Aspen can text ACTION to 43776 (message and data rates may apply) to opt in to receive customizable event updates for schedules, athlete info, results, venue information, X Fest events and general news;
  • X Games Updates: Similar to ACTION Updates, fans not traveling to Aspen can text X to 43776 and opt in to receive TV schedules, XGames.com updates, athlete info and results;
  • Alerts: Results will be sent out after every gold medal competition for those that sign up at www.espn.com/alerts or http://espn.mobi/alerts.

On-Site Mobile Interactivity:

  • Video boards at WX14 include a text crawl made up of live fan comments and athlete shout-outs sent via text message;
  • Fans in attendance use their mobile phones to vote for which songs will be played by the venue DJ or to answer trivia to win prizes provided by sponsors;
  • iPhone users will learn how to download the new SnoCross app by texting SNO to 43776.

http://itunes.com/WinterXGames” o “http://itunes.com/WinterXGamesblocked::http://itunes.com/WinterXGamesiTunes.com/WinterXGames

Beginning today, a library of multimedia content related to everything X will be available on iTunes at http://www.itunes.com/winterxgames” o “http://www.itunes.com/winterxgamesblocked::http://www.itunes.com/winterxgameswww.iTunes.com/winterxgames, including:

  • Winter X 14 video featuring day-by-day highlights and the Best of WX14 compilations;
  • 8 episodes of Winter X 13 Classix video;
  • Feature films including Disney’s X Games: The Movie, Shaun White: Don’t Look Down and Moto X: Evolution of the Trick;
  • Athlete music playlists with descriptions from Xavier Bertoni, Andrew Comrie-Picard and Anthony Napolitan;
  • Music playlists from ESPN’s on-air production titled As Heard at X;
  • Action sports podcasts;
  • X Games SnoCross App.