September 3, 2010

ESPN Announces SEC on ESPN Men’s College Basketball Schedule

ESPN Announces SEC on ESPN Men’s College Basketball Schedule

ESPN, the exclusive national cable home and syndication rights-holder for the Southeastern Conference, presents the SEC on ESPN men’s college basketball conference schedule, including the entire SEC Tournament, in the second year of the historic 15-year agreement with the conference. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3.com and the SEC Network will feature 102 conference controlled games, including 91 regular-season and all 11 SEC Tournament games.

ESPN3.com, ESPN’s live broadband sports network, will simulcast all SEC games televised on ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network and regional syndication partners. Also, many games will be available on ESPN FULL COURT, ESPN’s out-of-market pay-per-view package. In addition, ESPN networks will televise an extensive schedule of non-conference action (schedule to be determined).

The SEC Network, ESPN Regional Television’s over-the-air syndication package, will present a minimum of 37 SEC games in 79 television markets nationwide. Also, the SEC Network will present the SEC Studio show each Saturday afternoon through the regular season and the SEC Tournament.

ESPN on ABC will televise the SEC Basketball Tournament semifinals and championship game nationally, while the first two rounds will be available on the SEC Network. The tournament is set for March 10-13 in Atlanta.

The SEC on ESPN schedule includes the 2011 College GameDay Driven by State Farm opener from Knoxville, Tenn., site of the Tennessee Volunteers men’s and women’s teams hosting the Vanderbilt Commodores men’s and women’s programs at noon ET and 8 p.m., respectively. The doubleheader marks the first time the show has originated from a site featuring a men’s and women’s game played in the same day.

College GameDay will return to SEC country for the Feb. 5 matchup of Kentucky at Florida, a showdown of teams ranked in ESPN senior college basketball writer Andy Katz’s early preseason poll (No. 13 Kentucky vs. No. 10 Florida). College GameDay is hosted by Rece Davis with analysts Jay Bilas, Digger Phelps, Hubert Davis and Bob Knight.

Schedule (Subject to change)

Date Time (ET) Matchup Network(s)
Sat, Jan 8 1:30 p.m. Tennessee at Arkansas SEC Network / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Kentucky at Georgia SEC Network / ESPN3.com
Alabama at Mississippi State SEC Network / ESPN3.com
5 p.m. Vanderbilt at South Carolina ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
6 p.m. LSU at Auburn FSN / ESPN3.com
8 p.m. Ole Miss at Florida CSS / ESPN3.com
Tue, Jan 11 7 p.m. Auburn at Kentucky ESPNU
9 p.m. Florida at Tennessee ESPN / ESPN3.com
Wed, Jan 12 8 p.m. Georgia at Vanderbilt SEC Network / ESPN3.com
Arkansas at LSU SEC Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. South Carolina at Alabama CSS / ESPN3.com
Thu, Jan 13 9 p.m. Mississippi State at Ole Miss ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Jan 15 Noon Vanderbilt at Tennessee ESPN / ESPN3.com
1:30 p.m. South Carolina at Florida SEC Network / ESPN3.com
Alabama at Arkansas SEC Network / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. LSU at Kentucky SEC Network / ESPN3.com
5 p.m. Georgia at Ole Miss FSN / ESPN3.com
Sun, Jan 16 2 p.m. Auburn at Mississippi State FSN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Jan 18 7 p.m. Tennessee at Georgia ESPNU
9 p.m. Kentucky at Alabama ESPN / ESPN3.com
Wed, Jan 19 8 p.m. Arkansas at South Carolina SEC Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Ole Miss at Vanderbilt CSS / ESPN3.com
Thu, Jan 20 7 p.m. Florida at Auburn ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Jan 22 1:30 p.m. Ole Miss at LSU SEC Network / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Mississippi State at Georgia SEC Network / ESPN3.com
6 p.m. Kentucky at South Carolina ESPN / ESPN3.com
Alabama at Auburn CSS / ESPN3.com
8 p.m. Arkansas at Florida FSN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Jan 25 7 p.m. Florida at Georgia ESPN / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Auburn at Arkansas ESPNU
Wed, Jan 26 8 p.m. LSU at Tennessee SEC Network / ESPN3.com
Thu, Jan 27 7 p.m. Vanderbilt at Mississippi State ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Jan 29 1:30 p.m. Auburn at South Carolina SEC Network / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Georgia at Kentucky ESPN / ESPN3.com
Tennessee at Ole Miss SEC Network / ESPN3.com
6 p.m. Arkansas at Vanderbilt FSN / ESPN3.com
8 p.m. LSU at Alabama FSN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 1 7 p.m. Kentucky at Ole Miss ESPNU
9 p.m. Vanderbilt at Florida ESPN / ESPN3.com
Wed, Feb 2 8 p.m. South Carolina at LSU SEC Network / ESPN3.com
Mississippi State at Alabama SEC Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Georgia at Arkansas CSS / ESPN3.com
Thu, Feb 3 9 p.m. Tennessee at Auburn ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Feb 5 1:30 p.m. Auburn at Georgia SEC Network / ESPN3.com
South Carolina at Vanderbilt SEC Network / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Mississippi State at LSU SEC Network / ESPN3.com
5 p.m. Alabama at Tennessee FSN / ESPN3.com
6 p.m. Ole Miss at Arkansas ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Kentucky at Florida ESPN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 8 9 p.m. Tennessee at Kentucky ESPN / ESPN3.com
Wed, Feb 9 8 p.m. Florida at South Carolina SEC Network / ESPN3.com
Arkansas at Mississippi State SEC Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. LSU at Ole Miss CSS / ESPN3.com
Thu, Feb 10 9 p.m. Alabama at Vanderbilt ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Feb 12 1:30 p.m. LSU at Arkansas SEC Network / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Georgia at South Carolina SEC Network / ESPN3.com
Ole Miss at Alabama SEC Network / ESPN3.com
6 p.m. Tennessee at Florida ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
7 p.m. Mississippi State at Auburn FSN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 15 7 p.m. Mississippi State at Kentucky ESPN / ESPN3.com
Wed, Feb 16 7 p.m. Vanderbilt at Georgia ESPNU
South Carolina at Tennessee CSS / ESPN3.com
8 p.m. Auburn at Ole Miss SEC Network / ESPN3.com
Thu, Feb 17 9 p.m. Alabama at LSU ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Feb 19 1:30 p.m. Ole Miss at Mississippi State SEC Network / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Vanderbilt at Auburn SEC Network / ESPN3.com
South Carolina at Kentucky SEC Network / ESPN3.com
7 p.m. Arkansas at Alabama FSN / ESPN3.com
Sun, Feb 20 1 p.m. Florida at LSU ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 22 7 p.m. Ole Miss at South Carolina ESPNU
9 p.m. Tennessee at Vanderbilt ESPN / ESPN3.com
Wed, Feb 23 8 p.m. Kentucky at Arkansas SEC Network / ESPN3.com
Auburn at Alabama SEC Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. LSU at Mississippi State CSS / ESPN3.com
Thu, Feb 24 7 p.m. Georgia at Florida ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Feb 26 1:30 p.m. Vanderbilt at LSU SEC Network / ESPN3.com
Arkansas at Auburn SEC Network / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Alabama at Ole Miss SEC Network / ESPN3.com
6 p.m. Mississippi State at Tennessee ESPN / ESPN3.com
7 p.m. South Carolina at Georgia FSN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Mar 1 7 p.m. Alabama at Florida ESPNU
9 p.m. Vanderbilt at Kentucky ESPN / ESPN3.com
Wed, Mar 2 8 p.m. LSU at Georgia SEC Network / ESPN3.com
Ole Miss at Auburn SEC Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Mississippi State at Arkansas CSS  / ESPN3.com
Thu, Mar 3 7 p.m. Tennessee at South Carolina ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Mar 5 1:30 p.m. Georgia at Alabama SEC Network / ESPN3.com
2 p.m. South Carolina at Mississippi State ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Arkansas at Ole Miss SEC Network / ESPN3.com
6 p.m. Florida at Vanderbilt ESPN / ESPN3.com
7 p.m. Auburn at LSU FSN / ESPN3.com
Thu, Mar 10 1 p.m. SEC Tournament Game 1 SEC Network / ESPN3.com
3:30 p.m. SEC Tournament Game 2 SEC Network / ESPN3.com
7:30 p.m. SEC Tournament Game 3 SEC Network / ESPN3.com
10 p.m. SEC Tournament Game 4 SEC Network / ESPN3.com
Fri, Mar 11 1 p.m. SEC Tournament Game 5 SEC Network / ESPN3.com
3:30 p.m. SEC Tournament Game 6 SEC Network / ESPN3.com
7:30 p.m. SEC Tournament Game 7 SEC Network / ESPN3.com
10 p.m. SEC Tournament Game 8 SEC Network / ESPN3.com
Sat, Mar 12 1 p.m. SEC Tournament Game 9 ABC
3:30 p.m. SEC Tournament Game 10 ABC
Sun, Mar 13 1 p.m. SEC Tournament Championship ABC

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ESPN Announces Big Ten Men’s College Basketball Television Schedule

ESPN Announces Big Ten Men’s College Basketball Television Schedule

ESPN and the Big Ten Conference announced its 2010-11 men’s college basketball schedule for coverage on ESPN and ESPN2. ESPN3.com will simulcast every ESPN and ESPN2 telecast. Conference action will tip off Tuesday, Dec. 28 with Minnesota at Wisconsin at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

On average, ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to televise three Big Ten games a week, highlighted by a telecast every Tuesday as part of the popular weekly Super Tuesday Presented by KFC Big Ten doubleheader with the SEC beginning Jan. 11 with Wisconsin at Michigan State. ESPN or ESPN2 will also televise a Big Ten game every Thursday beginning Jan. 6 with Northwestern at Illinois and at least one game every weekend from Jan. 22 to March 5.

ESPN’s eight-week College GameDay Driven by State Farm and Saturday Primetime Presented by DIRECTV game-of-the-week series will originate from two Big Ten sites (Michigan State at Purdue Jan. 22 and Illinois at Michigan State Feb. 19).

Overall, the networks will combine to televise 29 conference games in addition to an extensive schedule of non-conference action (schedule to be determined). Over the course of the 2010-11 season, every school in the conference will be showcased on ESPN or ESPN2.

In March, ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to televise four games of the Big Ten Conference Championship.

ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN3.com 2010-11 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Schedule (Schedule subject to change)

Date Time (ET) Game Network
Tue, Dec 28 7 p.m. Minnesota at Wisconsin ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Fri, Dec 31 Noon Northwestern at Purdue ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
6 p.m. Ohio State at Indiana ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Tue, Jan 4 7 p.m. Indiana at Minnesota ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Thu, Jan 6 9 p.m. Northwestern at Illinois ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Tue, Jan 11 7 p.m. Wisconsin at Michigan State ESPN / ESPN3.com
Thu, Jan 13 7 p.m. Purdue at Minnesota ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Tue, Jan 18 7 p.m. Michigan State at Illinois ESPN / ESPN3.com
Thu, Jan 20 9 p.m. Indiana at Wisconsin ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Jan 22 9 p.m. Michigan State at Purdue ESPN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Jan 25 9 p.m. Purdue at Ohio State ESPN / ESPN3.com
Thu, Jan 27 7 p.m. Michigan at Michigan State ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Jan 29 6 p.m. Ohio State at Northwestern ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 1 7 p.m. Purdue at Wisconsin ESPN / ESPN3.com
Thu, Feb 3 7 p.m. Michigan at Ohio State ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Feb 5 4 p.m. Iowa at Indiana ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sun, Feb 6 2 p.m. Ohio State at Minnesota ESPN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 8 7 p.m. Indiana at Purdue ESPN / ESPN3.com
Thu, Feb 10 9 p.m. Illinois at Minnesota ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Feb 12 2 p.m. Ohio State at Wisconsin ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 15 9 p.m. Michigan State at Ohio State ESPN / ESPN3.com
Thu, Feb 17 7 p.m. Minnesota at Penn State ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Feb 19 9 p.m. Illinois at Michigan State ESPN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 22 7 p.m. Illinois at Ohio State ESPN / ESPN3.com
Thu, Feb 24 9 p.m. Penn State at Northwestern ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sun, Feb 27 1 p.m. Wildcard Selection (Purdue at Michigan State, Indiana at Ohio State or Iowa at Illinois) ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Tue, Mar 1 7 p.m. Illinois at Purdue ESPN / ESPN3.com
Thu, Mar 3 9 p.m. Wildcard Selection (Minnesota at Northwestern or Wisconsin at Indiana) ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Mar 5 4 p.m. Wildcard (Wisconsin at Ohio State, Indiana at Illinois or Purdue at Iowa) ESPN / ESPN3.com

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2011 Schedule for Expanded Basketball College GameDay

2011 Schedule for Expanded Basketball College GameDay

Eight-week show continues to originate from site of Saturday Primetime; Begins Jan. 15 from Knoxville for first-ever men’s and women’s doubleheader

ESPN’s College GameDay Driven by State Farm, the popular eight-week Saturday morning and evening college basketball program originating from the site of ESPN’s Saturday Primetime Presented by DIRECTV telecast, will expand to include an extra hour of analysis, news and features. ESPNU will air the new first hour of College GameDay – returning for its seventh season beginning Saturday, Jan. 15 – at 10 a.m. ET and ESPN will continue to televise the show at 11 a.m. and a one-hour edition at 8 p.m. (except Jan. 15 when the show will air on ESPN at 10 a.m. and ESPNU at 11 a.m.). The Saturday Primetime game-of-the-week series will be aired at 9 p.m. (except for Jan. 15 and Jan. 29).

The 2011 series will open from Knoxville, Tenn., site of the Tennessee Volunteers men’s and women’s teams hosting the men’s and women’s Vanderbilt Commodores programs at noon and 8 p.m., respectively. It will mark the first time the show has originated from a site that has featured a men’s and women’s game played in the same day.

College GameDay will feature show host Rece Davis with returning analysts Jay Bilas, Digger Phelps, Hubert Davis and Bob Knight.

Scheduled sites for College GameDay and Saturday Primetime:

Date Site Show Times Game Game Time
Jan 15 Knoxville, Tenn. 10 a.m. & 7 p.m. * Vanderbilt at Tennessee (men’s game) noon
Vanderbilt at Tennessee (women’s game) 8 p.m.
Jan 22 West Lafayette, Ind. 10 a.m. & 8 p.m. Michigan State at Purdue 9 p.m.
Jan 29 Lawrence, Kan. 10 a.m. & 6 p.m. Kansas State at Kansas 7 p.m.
Feb 5 Gainesville, Fla. 10 a.m. & 8 p.m. Kentucky at Florida 9 p.m.
Feb 12 Villanova, Pa. 10 a.m. & 8 p.m. Pittsburgh at Villanova 9 p.m.
Feb 19 Lansing, Mich. 10 a.m. & 8 p.m. Illinois at Michigan State 9 p.m.
Feb 26 Blacksburg, Va. 10 a.m. & 8 p.m. Duke at Virginia Tech 9 p.m.
Mar 5 Waco, Texas 10 a.m. & 8 p.m. Texas at Baylor 9 p.m.

* ESPNU will televise the first hour of College GameDay with ESPN continuing coverage at 11 a.m. except Jan. 15 when ESPN will televise the first hour and ESPNU continuing coverage at 11 a.m. ESPN will televise the evening edition each week.

Highlights of this year’s schedule include:

  • An appearance by defending men’s National Champion Duke (at Virginia Tech Feb. 26) and two by last season’s Final Four participant Michigan State (at Purdue Jan. 22 and hosting Illinois Feb. 19).

  • Every site will include at least one men’s team ranked in an early preseason top 25 poll by ESPN.com senior college basketball writer Andy Katz, highlighted by the top five: No. 1 Duke, No. 2 Purdue, No. 3 Michigan State, No. 4 Baylor, No. 5 Kansas State, No. 7 Pittsburgh, No. 8 Villanova, No. 10 Florida, No. 13 Kentucky, No. 15 Illinois, No. 16 Kansas and No. 22 Virginia Tech.

  • Six of the eight men’s matchups will feature a showdown between teams ranked in Katz’s early preseason poll: No. 3 Michigan State at No. 2 Purdue (Jan. 22), No. 5 Kansas State at No. 16 Kansas (Jan. 29), No. 13 Kentucky at No. 10 Florida (Feb. 5), No. 7 Pittsburgh at No. 8 Villanova (Feb. 12), No. 15 Illinois at No. 3 Michigan State (Feb. 19) and No. 1 Duke at No. 22 Virginia Tech (Feb. 26).

  • The women’s matchups will feature a SEC showdown between top women’s programs. Tennessee defeated Vanderbilt in all three meetings last year, including in the SEC Tournament semifinals.

  • First-time stops for men’s games at Baylor, Purdue, Villanova and Virginia Tech.

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ESPN Announces Men’s College Basketball Super Tuesday Schedule for 2011

ESPN Announces Men’s College Basketball Super Tuesday Schedule for 2011

ESPN has announced its Super Tuesday Presented by KFC schedule for the 2011 men’s college basketball season – featuring doubleheaders with games from the Big Ten and the SEC. Action will tip off every Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. from Jan. 11 to March 1.

The Big Ten and the SEC will play in conference match-ups, switching timeslots on varying weeks. The doubleheaders begin Jan. 11 with Wisconsin at Michigan State at 7 p.m., followed by Florida at Tennessee at 9 p.m. The package concludes March 1 with Illinois at Purdue at 7 p.m. and Vanderbilt at Kentucky at 9 p.m.

The annual weekday series runs every Tuesday night during conference play and highlights eight teams coming off NCAA Championship berths. Purdue and Kentucky will each make four appearances in the Super Tuesday series. Michigan State, fresh off its Final Four berth from last season, will play in three games, along with Florida, Illinois, Ohio State, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

The schedule also includes eight teams ranked in ESPN.com senior college basketball writer Andy Katz’s early men’s preseason top 25 poll: No. 2 Purdue, No. 3 Michigan State, No. 6 Ohio State, No. 10 Florida, No. 13 Kentucky, No. 15 Illinois, No. 18 Tennessee and No. 25 Georgia. There are eight games between teams ranked in Katz’s preseason poll, including No. 6 Ohio State facing No. 2 Purdue (Jan. 25) and No. 3 Michigan State (Feb. 15), both airing at 9 p.m.

Super Tuesday Schedule (All games televised on ESPN and ESPN3.com; schedule subject to change)

Date Time (ET) Game
Jan 11 7 p.m. Wisconsin at Michigan State
9 p.m. Florida at Tennessee
Jan 18 7 p.m. Michigan State at Illinois
9 p.m. Kentucky at Alabama
Jan 25 7 p.m. Florida at Georgia
9 p.m. Purdue at Ohio State
Feb 1 7 p.m. Purdue at Wisconsin
9 p.m. Vanderbilt at Florida
Feb 8 7 p.m. Indiana at Purdue
9 p.m. Tennessee at Kentucky
Feb15 7 p.m. Mississippi State at Kentucky
9 p.m. Michigan State at Ohio State
Feb 22 7 p.m. Illinois at Ohio State
9 p.m. Tennessee at Vanderbilt
Mar 1 7 p.m. Illinois at Purdue
9 p.m. Vanderbilt at Kentucky

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ESPN Celebrates Opening of Season with 24 Consecutive Hours of Live College Basketball Games

ESPN Celebrates Opening of Season with 24 Consecutive Hours of Live College Basketball Games

College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon includes 20 Games in Minimum of 25.5 Hours

ESPN’s third annual College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon Tuesday, Nov. 16 will be highlighted by 12 live college basketball games in 24 consecutive hours on ESPN for the second straight season. Overall, ESPN’s celebration of the opening of the college basketball season will include 20 live games – 19 men’s and one women’s — in a minimum of 25.5 hours across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. ESPN3.com will offer two exclusive games as well as a simulcast of every ESPN and ESPN2 telecast.

The schedule will include three teams from last year’s men’s NCAA Tournament Final Four (defending National Champion Duke, Butler and Michigan State), defending women’s NCAA National Champion Connecticut, the first game at Louisville’s new arena and the debut of new St. John’s coach Steve Lavin.

ESPN games are scheduled to tip off every two hours beginning at midnight ET with Miami at Memphis, marking the second time Memphis has hosted a midnight game as part of the College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon. Highlights include:

  • A minimum of 21 conferences will be represented: ACC, Atlantic Sun, Atlantic 10, America East, Big Ten, Big 12, BIG EAST, Conference USA, Colonial, Great West, Horizon, Metro Atlantic Athletic, Mid-American, Missouri Valley, Mountain West, Northeast, Pac-10, SEC, Summit, Western Athletic and West Coast. The Big West Conference could be added if Pacific meets UCLA, the host site, in the Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off.

  • Eight of the top 10 teams in ESPN.com senior college basketball writer Andy Katz’s early men’s preseason top 25 poll will participate: No. 1 Duke, No. 3 Michigan State, No. 4 Baylor, No. 5 Kansas State, No. 6 Ohio State, No. 8 Villanova, No. 9 Gonzaga, No. 10 Florida, No. 18 Tennessee, No. 19 Memphis, No. 20 Butler, No. 22 Virginia Tech and No. 24 San Diego State. The schedule will feature three matchups between teams ranked in Katz’s poll: No. 22 Virginia Tech at No. 5 Kansas State (at 4 p.m.) and No. 6 Ohio State at No. 10 Florida (at 6 p.m.) on ESPN, and No. 24 San Diego State at No. 9 Gonzaga (at 11 p.m.) on ESPN2.

  • A women’s showdown will feature two-time defending National Champion Connecticut against Baylor, led by four returning starters including 6-foot-8 center Brittney Griner, at 6 p.m. on ESPN2. Connecticut, which enters the season with a 78-game winning streak, defeated Baylor 70-50 in the National Semifinals of the NCAA Tournament last season. Both teams are expected to open the season ranked in the top 5.

  • The final two ESPN telecasts will showcase two programs coming off NCAA Tournament Final Four appearances last season: Butler, which played in the National Championship game, at Louisville, marking the first men’s game at the school’s new arena, at 8 p.m.; and South Carolina at Michigan State, which lost to Butler in the National Semifinals, at 10 p.m.

  • The schedule will feature back-to-back afternoon games involving two teams that played in the Elite Eight last season, beginning with Baylor (against La Salle) at 2 p.m. and Kansas State (against Virginia Tech) at 4 p.m.

  • The 2 a.m. telecast will feature new St. John’s head coach Steve Lavin, who most recently led UCLA and served as an ESPN analyst, at Saint Mary’s, in his first game leading the Red Storm.

  • ESPNU will offer a quadruple-header featuring four marquee programs — Duke, Tennessee, UCLA and Villanova — beginning at 5:30 p.m.

  • ESPN’s coverage will include games from four different United States time zones — Eastern, Central, Pacific and Hawaii-Aleutian – and from 17 states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

  • The 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. telecasts will mark just the second time ESPN has televised live college basketball games in those time slots.

2010-11 College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon Schedule for ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com

Date Time (ET) Matchup Network
Tue, Nov 16 Midnight Miami at Memphis ESPN / ESPN3.com
2 a.m. St. John’s at Saint Mary’s ESPN / ESPN3.com
4 a.m. Central Michigan at Hawaii ESPN / ESPN3.com
6 a.m. Stony Brook at Monmouth ESPN / ESPN3.com
8 a.m. Robert Morris at Kent State ESPN / ESPN3.com
10 a.m. Northeastern at Southern Illinois ESPN / ESPN3.com
Noon Oral Roberts at Tulsa ESPN / ESPN3.com
2 p.m. La Salle at Baylor ESPN / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Virginia Tech at Kansas State ESPN / ESPN3.com
5:30 p.m. Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off (from Villanova): Marist at Villanova ESPNU
6 p.m. Ohio State at Florida ESPN / ESPN3.com
6 p.m. State Farm Women’s Tip-Off Classic (from Hartford): Baylor at Connecticut ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
7:30 p.m. O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic (from Durham): Miami (Ohio) at Duke ESPNU
8 p.m. Butler at Louisville ESPN / ESPN3.com
9:30 p.m. Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off (from Knoxville): Belmont at Tennessee ESPNU
10 p.m. South Carolina at Michigan State ESPN / ESPN3.com
11 p.m. O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic (from Spokane): San Diego State vs. Gonzaga ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
11:30 p.m. Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off (from Los Angeles): Nevada or Pacific at UCLA ESPNU
TBD St. Joseph’s at Penn State ESPN3.com
TBD North Dakota at Wisconsin ESPN3.com

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Special Edition of ‘Basketball And Beyond with Coach K’ Airs Thursday on SIRIUS XM

SPECIAL OFF-SEASON EDITION OF BASKETBALL AND BEYOND WITH COACH K AIRS THURSDAY ON SIRIUS XM

Listeners nationwide can tune in tomorrow, August 12 (7:00 pm ET), to hear Coach K talk Duke and USA Men’s National Team basketball on Mad Dog Radio

NEW YORK – August 11, 2010 – The next edition of “Basketball and Beyond with Coach K,” the exclusive SIRIUS XM Radio show hosted by Duke University and USA Men’s National Team coach Mike Krzyzewski, will air Thursday, August 12 (7:00 pm ET) on Mad Dog Radio, SIRIUS channel 123 and XM channel 144.

On this special off-season edition of the program, Coach K and co-host Adam Schein will talk in depth about the progress of the USA Men’s National Team and preview the team’s upcoming international games and the FIBA Men’s World Championships in Turkey later this month.  Special guests expected to join Coach K on this week’s show include USA Men’s National Team players.

Krzyzewski and Schein will also discuss topical events in the world of sports and offer NCAA basketball fans insights for the upcoming season.

During college basketball season “Basketball and Beyond” airs weekly on Mad Dog Radio, SIRIUS XM’s exclusive all-sports talk channel.  The show features discussions on a wide array of topical issues, covering the state of college basketball and showcasing Krzyzewski’s personal perspective on principles for life on and off the court, plus interviews with a variety of special guests, including business leaders, entertainers, coaches and athletes.

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ESPN Announces Matchups for Early Season College Basketball Events

ESPN Announces Matchups for Early Season College Basketball Events

  • Puerto Rico Tip-Off Features Final Four’s West Virginia, Five-Time NCAA Champ UNC
  • 76 Classic, Old Spice Classic Each include Five Teams from 2009-10 Postseason
  • Inaugural Cancun Governor’s Cup Boasts Seven Teams that Made Postseason
  • Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Features NCAA Tournament Championship Game Participant Butler, Elite Eight’s Baylor

ESPN Regional Television announced today the matchups for five of its owned and operated early season men’s college basketball events for 2010, including the Puerto Rico Tip-Off; 76 Classic; Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic; Old Spice Classic and the inaugural Cancun Governor’s Cup. The schedule for each is listed below.

Puerto Rico Tip-Off

The 2010 Puerto Rico Tip-Off will be held Nov. 18, 19 and 21 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in the cosmopolitan Hato Rey district of San Juan. The fourth annual Puerto Rico Tip-Off will showcase 2010 Final Four participant West Virginia, five-time national champion North Carolina, Davidson, Hofstra, Minnesota, Nebraska, Vanderbilt and Western Kentucky. Nine of the 12 games will be televised live nationally on ESPNU and ESPN2.

For the complete news release, and for ticket and travel information, visit the official website: www.puertoricotipoff.com.

Date Time (ET) Game Network
Thu, Nov 18 11:30 a.m. Davidson vs. West Virginia ESPNU
1:30 p.m. Nebraska vs. Vanderbilt ESPNU
5 p.m. Hofstra vs. UNC ESPN2
7:30 p.m. Western Kentucky vs. Minnesota
Fri, Nov 19 12:30p.m. Game 5 ESPNU
3 p.m. Game 6
6 p.m. Game 7
8:30 p.m. Game 8 ESPNU
Sun, Nov 21 10:30 a.m. Game 9 ESPNU
12:30 p.m. Game 10 ESPNU
5:30 p.m. Game 11 ESPN2
7:30 p.m. Game 12 (Championship Game) ESPN2

76 Classic

The third annual 76 Classic is set for Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 25, 26 and 28, at the Anaheim (Calif.) Convention Center, adjacent to Disneyland. The fourth annual 76 Classic field features DePaul, Murray State, Cal State Northridge, Oklahoma State, Stanford, Tulsa, UNLV and Virginia Tech. Five of the eight teams in the field reached the postseason in 2009-10, including three in the NCAA Tournament: Murray State advanced to the second round, while Oklahoma State and UNLV were first-round participants in the field of 65 teams. Tulsa (first round) and Virginia Tech (quarterfinals) both participated in the National Invitation Tournament.

For the complete news release, and for ticket and travel information, visit the official website: www.76Classic.com.

Date Time (ET/PT) Matchup Network
Thu, Nov 25 2 p.m. / 11 a.m. Virginia Tech vs. Northridge ESPNU
4:30 p.m. / 1:30 p.m. DePaul vs. Oklahoma State ESPN2
9 p.m. / 6 p.m. Murray State vs. Stanford ESPNU
11:30 p.m. / 8:30 p.m. Tulsa vs. UNLV ESPN2
Fri, Nov 26 2:30 p.m. / 11:30 a.m. Game 5 ESPN / ESPN2
5 p.m. / 2 p.m. Game 6 ESPNU
9:30 p.m. / 6:30 p.m. Game 7 ESPNU
11:30 p.m. / 8:30 p.m. Game 8 ESPNU
Sun, Nov 28 1:30 p.m./ 10:30 a.m. Game 9
4 p.m. / 1 p.m. Game 10 ESPNU
6 p.m. / 3 p.m. Game 11 ESPNU
9 p.m. / 6 p.m. Game 12 (Championship Game) ESPN2

Old Spice Classic

The 2010 Old Spice Classic will be held on Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 25, 26 and 28, at the Fieldhouse sponsored by HP at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla. The fifth annual Old Spice Classic will feature Boston College, California, Georgia, Manhattan, Notre Dame, Temple, Texas A&M and Wisconsin. Five of the eight teams reached the NCAA Tournament last season.

For the complete news release, and for ticket and travel information, visit the official website: www.oldspiceclassic.com.

Date Time (ET) Game Network
Thu, Nov 25 Noon Boston College vs. Texas A & M ESPN2
2 p.m. Wisconsin vs. Manhattan ESPN2
7 p.m. Georgia vs. Notre Dame ESPN2
9 p.m. Temple vs. California ESPN2
Fri, Nov 26 Noon Game 5 ESPN
2:30 p.m. Game 6 ESPNU
5 p.m. Game 7 ESPN2
7:30 p.m. Game 8 ESPNU
Sun, Nov 28 11 a.m. Game 9 ESPNU
1 p.m. Game 10 ESPNU
4:30 p.m. Game 11
7 p.m. Game 12 (Championship Game) ESPN2

Cancun Governor’s Cup

The inaugural Cancun Governor’s Cup is set for Dec. 22-24 at the Poliforum Benito Juarez in Cancun, Mexico and will be telecast on ESPN2 and ESPNU. Conference USA will serve as the event’s sponsoring conference. The 2010 field features Appalachian State, Colorado State, East Tennessee State, Ole Miss, Northeastern, Saint Louis, Southern Miss and Texas State. Seven of those teams reached the 2009-10 postseason, including ETSU in the NCAA Tournament. Ole Miss advanced to the National Invitation Tournament’s final four, while Northeastern also played in the NIT. Colorado State and Saint Louis played in the College Basketball Invitational. Appalachian State and Southern Miss played in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

Tickets will go on sale later this summer. Additional information can be found on the Cancun Governor’s Cup’s official website: www.cancungovernorscup.com.

Date Time (ET) Game Network
Wed, Dec 22 Noon Northeastern vs. Saint Louis
2:30 p.m. ETSU vs. Southern Miss
6 p.m. Texas State vs. Ole Miss
8:30 p.m. Appalachian State vs. Colorado State
Thu, Dec 23 Noon Game 5
2:30 p.m. Game 6 ESPNU
7 p.m. Game 7
9:30 p.m. Game 8 ESPNU
Fri, Dec 24 1 p.m. Game 9
3:30 p.m. Game 10
7 p.m. Game 11 ESPN2
9 p.m. Game 12 (Championship Game) ESPN2

* Championship game might be moved to 6 pm start, switching with Game 11

Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic

The 2010 Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic is set for Dec. 22-25 at the Stan Sheriff Center at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa in Honolulu. The second-year event will be telecast on ESPN2 and ESPNU. The field features Elite Eight participant Baylor, Butler, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament championship game, Florida State, Hawai’i, Mississippi State, San Diego, Utah and Washington State. Four of the eight teams participated in postseason play last year.

For the complete news release, and for ticket and travel information, visit the official website: www.DiamondHeadClassic.com.

Date Time (ET) Game Network
Wed, Dec 22 3 p.m. Mississippi State vs. Washington State ESPNU
5 p.m. San Diego vs. Baylor ESPNU
11 p.m. Utah vs. Butler ESPNU
Thu, Dec 23 1 a.m. Florida State vs. Hawai’i ESPNU
4:30 p.m. Game 5 ESPNU
6:30 p.m. Game 6 ESPNU
10 p.m. Game 7 ESPN2
Fri, Dec 24 12:30 a.m. Game 8 ESPNU
Sat, Dec 25 2 p.m. Game 9
4:30 p.m. Game 10
7:30 p.m. Game 11 ESPN2
9:30 p.m. Game 12 (Championship Game) ESPN2

ESPN Regional Television/Event Ownership

The nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming, ESPN Regional Television (ERT) annually produces more than 1,000 telecasts of sporting events. Programming includes football, basketball, NCAA events, golf and NHRA events accounting for more than 2,200 live and/or original hours of programming. In addition to event ownership, ERT is the production headquarters for ESPNU, the 24-hour college sports network; syndication rights-holder and producer of national, regional and local shows for college conferences (e.g. – SEC, BIG EAST, Big 12, Mid-American, Sun Belt, WAC).

ESPN Regional Television markets and/or owns several sporting events, including collegiate football events: the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg; Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl (Fort Worth, Texas); Birmingham Bowl; MAACO Bowl Las Vegas; New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque); Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl (Honolulu); Texas Bowl (Houston); the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney (Orlando, Fla.); and The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards; collegiate basketball events: the 76 Classic (Anaheim, Calif.); Cancun Governor’s Cup; Charleston Classic (S.C.); SEC/BIG EAST Invitational; Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (Honolulu); Old Spice Classic (Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.); Puerto Rico Tip-Off (San Juan); All-College Basketball Classic (Oklahoma City) and BracketBusters; as well as the new ESPNU Warrior Classic (Lacrosse) and the ESPN National Golf Challenge presented by Callaway. For more information, visit ESPNPlus.com.

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ESPN Announces Big 12 Men’s College Basketball Television Schedule

ESPN Announces Big 12 Men’s College Basketball Television Schedule

ESPN and the Big 12 Conference announced its 2010 men’s college basketball schedule for coverage across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3.com and ESPN Regional Television produced games on the regionally syndicated Big 12 Network. ESPN3.com will provide a simulcast of every ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Regional Television telecast. Conference action will tip off Saturday, Jan. 8 with four games beginning at 1 p.m. with Kansas State at Oklahoma State on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com.

On average, ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to televise three Big 12 games a week, highlighted by the popular Big Monday Presented by Bud Light weekly series beginning Jan. 17. Overall, the networks will combine to televise 77 conference games in addition to an extensive schedule of non-conference action (schedule to be determined). Over the course of the 2010-11 season, every school in the conference will be showcased on ESPN or ESPN2.

In March, the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship will continue to be televised across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3.com and in regional syndication on the Big 12 Network.

ESPN Regional Television produces and syndicates games on the Big 12 Network to homes throughout the conference’s geographic footprint and has distribution in numerous other markets, including New York, Chicago, Baltimore and Providence.

The Big 12 was rated as the No. 1 conference in the nation in the RPI last season and placed a league-record seven teams in the NCAA field a year ago. Six different teams have advanced to the regional finals over the past three seasons, the first time since the NCAA field expanded in 1985 that any conference has accomplished the feat during a three-year span.

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3.com and Big 12 Network 2010-11 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Schedule

Dates, times and television listings subject to change

Date Time (ET) Game Network
Sat, Jan 8 1 p.m. Kansas State at Oklahoma State ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
1:30 p.m. Missouri at Colorado Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
2 p.m. Baylor at Texas Tech ESPNU
4 p.m. Texas A&M at Oklahoma Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
Tue, Jan 11 7 p.m. Texas at Texas Tech ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Wed, Jan 12 8 p.m. Oklahoma State at Texas A&M Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Colorado at Kansas State ESPNU
9 p.m. Kansas at Iowa State ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Jan 15 1 p.m. Missouri at Texas A&M ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
1:30 p.m. Oklahoma State at Colorado Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
1:30 p.m. Texas Tech at Kansas State Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
2 p.m. Nebraska at Kansas ESPNU
4 p.m. Oklahoma at Texas Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
Mon, Jan 17 5:30 p.m. Kansas State at Missouri ESPN / ESPN3.com
9:30 p.m. Kansas at Baylor ESPN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Jan 18 7 p.m. Colorado at Nebraska ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
8 p.m. Texas Tech at Oklahoma Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
Wed, Jan 19 9 p.m. Texas A&M at Texas ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Iowa State at Oklahoma State ESPNU
Sat, Jan 22 1:30 p.m. Colorado at Oklahoma Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
2 p.m. Kansas State at Texas A&M ESPN / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Oklahoma State at Baylor Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Iowa State at Missouri ESPNU
Mon, Jan 24 9 p.m. Baylor at Kansas State ESPN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Jan 25 8 p.m. Kansas at Colorado Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
Wed, Jan 26 7:30 p.m. Texas at Oklahoma State ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Jan 29 1:30 p.m. Colorado at Baylor Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Oklahoma State at Texas Tech Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Missouri at Texas ESPNU
TBA Kansas State at Kansas ESPN / ESPN3.com
Mon, Jan 31 9 p.m. Texas at Texas A&M ESPN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 1 7 p.m. Baylor at Oklahoma ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Kansas at Texas Tech ESPNU
Wed, Feb 2 8 p.m. Nebraska at Kansas State Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Missouri at Oklahoma State ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Feb 5 Noon or 2 p.m. Baylor at Texas A&M ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
1:30 p.m. Kansas State at Iowa State Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
1:30 p.m. Oklahoma at Oklahoma State Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Kansas at Nebraska Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Texas Tech at Texas ESPNU
Mon, Feb 7 9 p.m. Missouri at Kansas ESPN / ESPN3.com
Wed, Feb 9 8 p.m. Nebraska at Baylor Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Texas at Oklahoma ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Texas A&M at Colorado ESPNU
Sat, Feb 12 1:30 p.m. Oklahoma at Missouri Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
1:30 p.m. Texas A&M at Texas Tech Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
2 p.m. Baylor at Texas ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Iowa State at Kansas Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Kansas State at Colorado ESPNU
Mon, Feb 14 9 p.m. Kansas at Kansas State ESPN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 15 7 p.m. Texas Tech at Missouri ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Wed, Feb 16 8 p.m. Iowa State at Texas A&M Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Nebraska at Oklahoma ESPNU
9 p.m. Oklahoma State at Texas ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Feb 19 1:30 p.m. Missouri at Iowa State Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
1:30 p.m. Texas at Nebraska Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
2 p.m. Colorado at Kansas ESPN / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Oklahoma at Kansas State Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Texas A&M at Oklahoma State ESPNU
Mon, Feb 21 9 p.m. Oklahoma State at Kansas ESPN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 22 8 p.m. Iowa State at Texas Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
Wed, Feb 23 9 p.m. Kansas State at Nebraska ESPNU
9 p.m. Baylor at Missouri ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Feb 26 Noon or 2 p.m. Missouri at Kansas State ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
2 or 4 p.m. Kansas at Oklahoma ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
1:30 or 4 p.m. Nebraska at Iowa State Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
1:30 or 4 p.m. Texas at Colorado Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
1:30 or 4 p.m. Texas Tech at Oklahoma State Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
9 p.m. Texas A&M at Baylor ESPNU
Mon, Feb 28 9 p.m. Kansas State at Texas ESPN / ESPN3.com
Tue, Mar 1 7 p.m. Baylor at Oklahoma State ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
8 p.m. Missouri at Nebraska Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
Wed, Mar 2 9 p.m. Texas A&M at Kansas ESPN or ESPN2 / ESPN3.com
Sat, Mar 5 1:30 p.m. Iowa State at Kansas State Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
1:30 p.m. Texas Tech at Texas A&M Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
4 p.m. Oklahoma State at Oklahoma Big 12 Network / ESPN3.com
TBA Texas at Baylor ESPN / ESPN3.com

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ESPN and ACC Reach Exclusive 12-Year Agreement


ESPN and ACC Reach Exclusive 12-Year Agreement

Includes Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, and Olympic Sports; Conference Championships; Syndication and Corporate Marketing Deal with Raycom Sports; Cable and Broadcast TV Plus Comprehensive Multimedia Rights

ESPN and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) have reached a 12-year agreement for exclusive rights to every conference-controlled football and men’s basketball game, plus women’s basketball and Olympic sports matchups, and conference championships. The agreement, which begins in 2011-12 and continues through 2022-23, was announced by George Bodenheimer, President, ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports, and John Swofford, ACC Commissioner. It will result in approximately 4,800 ACC events over the 12 years on ESPN’s television outlets, digital and mobile platforms, syndication and more.

Among the entities included are: ESPN, ESPN on ABC, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3.com, the new ESPN 3D network, ESPN Mobile TV, ESPN GamePlan, ESPN FULL COURT, ESPN International, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Classic and ESPN.com. Numerous events will be produced in high definition across ESPN HD, ABC HD, ESPN2 HD and ESPNU HD.

Additionally, through a new sublicense arrangement with ESPN, Raycom Sports will continue its long-standing position as the syndication home of ACC content for over-the-air and regional cable network distribution in the ACC market and beyond. Raycom Sports will also continue to manage the ACC’s official corporate partner program and the exploitation of its digital assets, including www.theACC.com, the official conference web site.

ESPN has been televising ACC content since the first year of the network in 1979-80. Highlights of the new agreement include:

  • Football on national TV: Regular-season action on Saturday afternoon and nights, primetime Thursdays, Labor Day Monday and the ACC Football Championship Game;
  • Men’s basketball on national TV: The most games ever across the ESPN networks, highlighted by both regular-season matchups of the storied Duke-North Carolina rivalry each year; for the first time, full national telecasts on all games televised on an ESPN platform (had been local market blackouts on handful of telecasts); a new weekly Sunday franchise on ESPNU; every regular-season intra-conference game and the entire conference tournament produced and distributed via ESPN and Raycom Sports;
  • Women’s basketball: A record number of women’s regular-season basketball games and the addition of the entire conference tournament;
  • Olympic sports: An expanded commitment to the league’s 22-sponsored Olympic sports with regular-season and championship telecasts, highlighted by baseball, softball, lacrosse, and men’s and women’s soccer;
  • Syndication: Syndication rights for ACC football, basketball and Olympic sports action for over-the-air and regional cable network distribution in ACC markets and beyond via an agreement with Raycom Sports and through potential sublicense agreements with other national outlets;
  • Digital media: Exclusive ACC football, men’s and women’s basketball, and Olympic sports games as well as simulcasts on ESPN3.com. Live ACC games, including football and basketball, on ESPN Mobile TV;
  • ESPN 3D: Live ACC action on ESPN 3D, ESPN’s newest network and the first 3D network to launch in the industry;
  • Additional outlets: ACC action on ESPN International, ESPN GamePlan, ESPN FULL COURT, ESPN Classic and ESPN Deportes; and extensive content rights for ESPN.com.

“Some of ESPN’s most memorable moments have featured the ACC and we’re proud to extend our long-term relationship with this great conference and Raycom,” Bodenheimer said.

ACC Commissioner John Swofford said, “We are excited to be continuing our partnership with ESPN and Raycom Sports. This agreement allows our schools to reach significantly new financial heights while also showcasing more ACC content and coverage than ever before across traditional and new media platforms.”

“We are very excited to continue our 30 year partnership with the ACC and ESPN,” said Ken Haines, President and CEO of Raycom Sports. “Throughout the ever-changing landscape of sports television, we have always prided ourselves on the long term relationships we have with both the ACC and ESPN.”

Following are the key details of the new agreement:

Football

With exclusive rights to every conference-controlled football game, ESPN will serve as the national cable and broadcast TV home for the conference and distributor of syndication telecasts via an agreement with Raycom Sports. With the agreement granting rights to every matchup, there is flexibility where games can be distributed on a weekly basis throughout the season. Outlets will include:

ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC: The networks will televise ACC games each week, including Thursday, Saturday and a Labor Day Monday telecast each season. The ACC Football Championship Game will continue to be televised each year on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC.

ESPNU: The 24-hour college sports network, currently distributed in more than 70 million households, will continue to televise ACC football.

Syndication: ESPN will sublicense games to Raycom Sports and potentially to additional national outlets. As part of the agreement, Raycom Sports will produce and distribute a package of games for over-the-air syndication and for the first time, an additional package of games through regional cable syndication in the ACC markets and beyond.

ESPN3.com: Exclusive ACC game presentations as well as simulcasts will be offered on the broadband network.

ESPN 3D: ACC matchups will be part of the live schedule of games offered on the new service.

ESPN Mobile TV: Extensive ACC content, including highlights and live game simulcasts will be presented on mobile phones.

ESPN International and ESPN Deportes: The deal includes global rights to present live games and encore presentations across ESPN’s International platforms and domestic Spanish-language rights for ESPN Deportes, ESPN’s 24-hour, U.S.-based network.

ESPN GamePlan: The out-of-market college football service will continue to offer an extensive weekly schedule of ACC games.

ESPN Classic: The network may televise live ACC games as well as historic and immediate encore presentations.

ESPN.com: Extensive ACC content, including highlights, will be presented online.

Men’s Basketball

As the exclusive rightsholder to all conference-controlled men’s basketball games, ESPN will offer more ACC men’s basketball than ever before, including every intra-conference matchup and an extensive schedule of inter-conference action on one of its platforms or through sublicense agreements with Raycom Sports or other national outlets. The deal also includes the continuation of the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge event. Similar to football, as a result of the acquisition of exclusive men’s basketball rights, there is flexibility where games can be distributed. Outlets will include:

ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU: The networks will combine to offer numerous intra-conference games, highlighted by top showdowns, including both Duke-North Carolina contests, plus several conference controlled inter-conference matchups with no blackouts (the previous agreement included select blackouts in the ACC market). Highlighting the schedule will be a new weekly ESPNU Sunday telecast and the continuation of ACC action on ESPN’s Super Tuesday, Wednesday Night Hoops, Thursday Night Showcase and Saturdays. ESPN will also retain the rights to all ACC Tournament games for distribution across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU (with no blackouts).

Syndication: Similar to football, ESPN will sublicense games to Raycom Sports and potentially to additional national outlets. As part of the agreement, Raycom Sports will produce and distribute a significant package of intra-conference games through over-the-air syndication and a series of matchups through regional cable networks.

ESPN3.com: Exclusive ACC game presentations as well as simulcasts will be offered on the broadband network.

ESPN 3D: ACC matchups will be part of the live schedule of games offered on the new service.

ESPN Mobile TV: Extensive ACC content, including highlights and live game simulcasts will be presented on mobile phones.

ESPN International and ESPN Deportes: The deal includes global rights to present live games and encore presentations across ESPN’s International platforms and domestic Spanish-language rights for ESPN Deportes, ESPN’s 24-hour, U.S.-based network.

ESPN FULL COURT: The out-of-market college basketball service will offer extensive weekly coverage of the ACC.

ESPN Classic: The network may telecast live ACC games as well as historic and immediate encore presentations.

ESPN.com: Extensive ACC content, including highlights, will be presented online.

Women’s Basketball

ESPN will expand its coverage of regular-season women’s basketball across its platforms and televise the conference semifinals and championship for the first time on an ESPN network. In addition, ESPN will sublicense games to Raycom Sports.

ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU: ACC teams will appear on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. In addition, ESPN will acquire the rights to the women’s conference championship game for coverage on ESPN or ESPN2, while the semifinals will be aired on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU.

ESPN3.com: Exclusive ACC game presentations as well as simulcasts will be offered on the broadband network.

Syndication: Through an agreement with ESPN, Raycom Sports will produce and distribute a series of regular-season games and all early rounds of the conference tournament to regional cable networks.

Olympic Sports

ESPN will televise more of the 22 ACC-sponsored Olympic sports than ever before, increasing its coverage to include regular-season and conference championship events.

ESPN and ESPN2: The networks will have first selection of regular-season events each year (events are to be determined).

ESPNU: A package of regular-season events will be televised annually, highlighted by lacrosse, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer and others.

ESPN3.com: Numerous, exclusive regular-season events plus simulcasts will be offered annually, including lacrosse, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, and others.

Championships: ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU will televise the conference championship games in softball and baseball while ESPNU will offer the men’s lacrosse semifinals and championship, and men’s and women’s soccer championship matchups. Other championships may be selected for ESPN platforms or distributed by Raycom Sports to regional cable networks.

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, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Classic & ESPN Deportes), ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU & ESPNEWS HD simulcast services, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (46 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 ESPN3.com (Broadband, formerly ESPN360.com), ESPN Mobile Properties, ESPN on Demand and ESPN Interactive.  Based in Bristol, Conn., 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.

ACC

The Atlantic Coast Conference, now in its 58th year of competition, is one of the strongest and most competitive intercollegiate athletics conferences in the country.  The ACC sponsors competition in 25 sports for its 12 member institutions: Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.  Since the league’s inception in 1953, ACC schools have captured 120 national championships, including 64 in women’s competition and 56 in men’s. In addition, NCAA individual titles have gone to ACC student-athletes 130 times in men’s competition and 91 times in women’s action.

Raycom Sports

Raycom Sports is a leading independent sports sales & marketing, syndication, event management and production firm. Raycom is the current television rightsholder of ACC men’s basketball and syndicated football telecasts through 2011. Raycom Sports’ parent company Raycom Media, located in Montgomery, AL, owns and operates 39 television stations covering over 12 percent of the United States across 18 states.

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John Wooden Remembered on HBO

HBO SPORTS® DOCUMENTARY THE UCLA DYNASTY,

TELLING THE STORY OF THE BRUINS’ COLLEGE BASKETBALL DOMINANCE

FROM 1964 TO 1975 UNDER JOHN WOODEN

RETURNS FRIDAY, JUNE 11, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO2

A reminder of the great achievements of legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden is captured in the HBO Sports special THE UCLA DYNASTY, a 2007 documentary that traces the incredible success of the UCLA men’s basketball program, which captured an astounding ten national titles during a 12-year run.  The HBO2 service will air an encore presentation of the one-hour documentary on FRIDAY, JUNE 11 (7:30-8:30 p.m. ET/PT).

While the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement and political scandal were consuming the nation, a basketball legacy grew in southern California.  Led by coach John Wooden, the UCLA Bruins amassed an unprecedented ten NCAA titles in the 12 seasons from 1964-1975, setting a standard of excellence and consistency in a volatile era.  To this day, the Wooden legacy and the Bruins’ record-breaking 88-game winning streak remain unparalleled in collegiate sports.

96 years old at the time of his interview for the film, Coach Wooden leads a high-profile list of interviewees that includes former Bruins stars Bill Walton, Lucius Allen, Gail Goodrich, Sidney Wicks, Jamaal Wilkes, John Vallely, Henry Bibby, Marques Johnson, Andy Hill, Peter Trgovich, Gary Cunningham, Kenny Heitz, Jim Nielsen and Larry Farmer; sports executive Eddie Einhorn; legendary broadcaster Dick Enberg; former Houston Cougars stars Elvin Hayes and Don Chaney; actor and former UCLA quarterback Mark Harmon; Doors keyboardist and former UCLA student Ray Manzarek; actor and former UCLA student Beau Bridges; former UCLA Chancellor Charles Young; and former Notre Dame coach Digger Phelps.

Executive producers of THE UCLA DYNASTY are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; produced by George Roy; music by Brian Keane; narrated by Liev Schreiber.

Program highlights:

TV pioneer Eddie Einhorn:  “Dynasties promote your sport.  There’s the Yankees, the Cowboys.  When you’re lucky enough to have it, you’ve got to take advantage of it.”

Legendary Bruins star Bill Walton:  “I never shot a single basket with my dad.  I saw him run one time at the church picnic.  But my parents were very involved in all the social issues of the day.  So they taught us, think for ourselves, question authority, and be involved.  I wrecked Coach Wooden’s life.  He’s 65 years old from Martinsville and I’m 17 years old from San Diego, and this is the age of Nixon and Vietnam and rock’n’roll, and I was always arguing with him about every topic:  politics, religion, dress codes, hair length.  You name it, I was on him.  It crossed the line the day I got arrested at a peace rally and Coach Wooden had to come down and bail me out of jail.”

Coach Wooden recalled, “[Walton] told me that after his player of the year, and his national championship team went undefeated, that I didn’t have the right to tell him he had to wear his hair a little shorter and couldn’t wear facial hair.  And I said, ‘You’re correct, Bill.  I don’t have that right.  I just have the right to determine who is going to play and we’re going to miss you.  And in about 15 minutes I’m not going to have you unless you go upstairs and get it taken care of right away.’  And he stood and looked at me.  Finally, I said, ‘Fourteen minutes.’ ”

John Wooden’s attention to detail was reminiscent of an army sergeant.  Jamaal Wilkes recalls, “It’s the first day of practice and here’s the ‘Wizard of Westwood’ and it’s so quiet you can hear a pin drop in there.”  Actor and former UCLA student Beau Bridges recalls that Wooden would then say, “We will begin by learning how to tie our shoes.”

Pete Trgovich adds:  “I was an Indiana all-star.  We won a state championship.  I had scored more field goals than Oscar Robertson in the state finals.  Now you’re gonna tell me how to put my socks on?”

Bill Walton:  “When you’re part of something like that, it changes your life forever.  It was the fans.  It was the players that we had.  It was the times.  What it really was, was John Wooden.”

During UCLA’s decade of dominance, the Bruins won 335 games, and lost just 22.

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