NBA TV Caps Off Exciting NBA Off-Season with 2010 WNBA Conference Finals Action & 2010 FIBA World Championship Coverage

Network Delivers Over 120 Live Games, including NBA Summer League, WNBA, and FIBA Men’s World Championship Action

NBA TV caps off one of the most captivating summers in basketball history with exclusive coverage of the 2010 WNBA Eastern Conference Finals presented by adidas and continued coverage of the 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championships. The network has provided more than 300 hours of basketball programming and will feature over 120 live basketball games during the NBA off-season.

The 2010 WNBA Eastern Conference Finals presented by adidas will start on Sunday, September 5 at 7:00 p.m (ET) when Cappie Pondexter and the New York Liberty host Angel McCoughtry and the Atlanta Dream in Game #1 of the series. The WNBA Eastern Conference Finals will continue on Tuesday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m. (ET) with NBA TV airing Game #2 of the series. Game #3 will air Thursday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m. (ET) if necessary. In addition, the network will air tonight’s Game #1 WNBA Western Conference Finals between the defending champion Phoenix Mercury and the Seattle Storm at 10 p.m. ET and a possible series deciding Game #3 on Wednesday, September 8 at 10 p.m. (ET).

NBA TV will continue to air live game coverage of the 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championship as well as encore presentations of the 2010 USA Men’s World Championship Team games featuring Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) and Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets).The network will also air special editions of NBA TV studio show, GameTime featuring comprehensive coverage of the 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championship. Matt Winer, Marc Fein and Rick Kamla will anchor the networks coverage with analysis from Steve Smith, Dennis Scott, and Brent Barry as well as special in-studio guests.

Coverage this off-season included the NBA Draft, NBA Summer League, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame festivities, WNBA Playoffs, 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championships, and one of the most talked about NBA free agency periods in recent history.

• NBA Free Agency/Decision 2010: NBA TV’s Free Agency coverage provided fans with in-depth analysis and special reports dedicated to the most talked about NBA free agency class in history. The network provided free-agency previews, breaking news updates at the top of every hour, push notifications through NBA Mobile’s GameTime app and the free agency tracker on NBA.com.

• NBA Draft – NBA TV’s coverage of the 2010 NBA Draft included 12 hours of dedicated coverage including player interviews from Craig Sager on draft night and the EA Division Review Shows which featured former Nets coach Lawrence Frank, University of Kansas Men’s Basketball Head Coach Bill Self.

• NBA Summer League – The network aired 59 live games including first round draft pick John Wall’s first four games as an NBA Player with the Washington Wizards.

• 2010 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement – The network delivered week-long coverage (Aug. 9 – 13) of the 2010 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festivities including the live red-carpet show and enshrinement ceremony.

• WNBA Playoffs –  NBA TV aired  41 live games of the 2010 WNBA Regular season and will air Eastern Conference Finals exclusively and is the home for the WNBA Playoffs Postgame Show.

• 2010 FIBA Men’s World Championship –During the Men’s FIBA World Championship, NBA TV will air 20 live games plus re-airs of all Team USA games and featured special programming including a special episode of Real Training Camp and the Nike World Basketball Festival.

NBA TV PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE:

*All Times Eastern Standard; FIBA Championships listings will be updated as games are added

WNBA Eastern Conference Finals Schedule:

*If Necessary

NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming.  With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com.  Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

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NBA TV Caps Off Exciting NBA Off-Season with 2010 WNBA Conference Finals Action & 2010 FIBA World Championship Coverage is a post from: Sports Media News

MEDIA ADVISORY

NBA TV Tips Off Coverage of the WNBA Playoffs and the Men’s 2010 FIBA Championships

NBA TV will provide first round coverage of the WNBA Playoffs as teams battle for a chance to advance in the post-season. On Wednesday, August 25 NBA TV will air Game #1 as Angel McCoughtry and the Atlanta Dream face Crystal Langhorne and the Washington Mystics at 7 p.m. (ET). On Thursday, August 26 at 7 p.m. (ET) Tamika Catchings and the Indiana Fever will head to the Big Apple to face Cappie Pondexter and the New York Liberty in Game #1 of the Eastern Conference match-up. On Monday, August 30 the San Antonio Silver Stars @ Phoenix Mercury face off at 7 p.m. (ET) in a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Semifinals. On Tuesday, August 31 at 10 p.m. (ET), the Los Angeles Sparks will meet the Western Conference top-seeded Seattle Storm for Game #3 of their battle to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

Following each Playoff game, NBATV will air an exclusive WNBA Playoffs Postgame Show hosted by Kyle Montgomery and featuring analysts Dennis Scott and LaChina Robinson in addition to various in studio guests including WNBA All-Star Chamique Holdsclaw that will highlight players, stories and news that develop during the Playoffs.

In addition, NBA TV will air the Men’s 2010 FIBA World Championship. The network will air 20 live games and a special Men’s 2010 FIBA World Championship GameTime with rotating hosts Matt Winer, Marc Fein and Rick Kamala and analysts Steve Smith, Brent Barry and special in-studio guests. This year’s FIBA World Championship will include Team USA’s Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) and Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers) as they attempt to do something that no USA Team has done since 1994 and win Gold at the World Championships.  Team Spain will attempt to defend its 2009 title with help from Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzles) and Minnesota Timberwolves draft pick Ricky Rubio while Team Brazil’s roster includes Leandro Barbosa (Toronto Raptors), Anderson Varejao (Cleveland Cavaliers) & Tiago Splitter (San Antonio Spurs).

NBA TV PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE:

AUGUST 25 – AUGUST 27

AUGUST 29 – SEPTEMBER 1

*If necessary

NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming.  With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com.  Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

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NBA TV Tips Off Coverage of the WNBA Playoffs and the Men’s 2010 FIBA Championships is a post from: Sports Media News

WNBA vs. USA Basketball: The Stars at the Sun presented by adidas will showcase the world’s best female basketball players under one roof when the WNBA’s top talent faces the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Saturday, July 10 on ESPN at 3:30 p.m., ET. The Connecticut Sun will host the event at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Reigning WNBA MVP Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) will play for USA Basketball along with Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Swin Cash (Seattle Storm), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Tina Charles (Connecticut Sun), Candice Dupree (Phoenix Mercury), Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky), Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream), Renee Montgomery (Connecticut Sun), Maya Moore (University of Connecticut), and Cappie Pondexter (New York Liberty).

The WNBA team roster includes Jayne Appel (San Antonio Silver Stars), Rebekkah Brunson (Minnesota Lynx), Becky Hammon (San Antonio Silver Stars), Iziane Castro Marques (Atlanta Dream), Katie Douglas (Indiana Fever), Lauren Jackson (Seattle Storm), Crystal Langhorne (Washington Mystics), Sancho Lyttle (Atlanta Dream), Michelle Snow (San Antonio Silver Stars), Penny Taylor (Phoenix Mercury), and Sophia Young (San Antonio Silver Stars).

The first 10 participants in the game were selected by fan voting with those players already in the USA National Team Pool being assigned to the USA Basketball squad and the remaining players assigned to the team of WNBA stars. USA Basketball’s roster was then completed with players from its national pool, while the league’s head coaches cast votes to fill the remaining spots on the WNBA roster. Both teams will compete with 11 players.

The USA National Team, comprised of players from the USA National Team Pool, is coached by University of Connecticut’s Geno Auriemma, who has coached the Huskies to seven NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championships, including the 2009 title.  Brian Agler, who has led the Seattle Storm to a 15-2 start, the best mark in the WNBA, is the head coach for the team of WNBA stars.

Terry Gannon will provide the play-by-play with analysts Carolyn Peck and reporters Heather Cox and Rebecca Lobo.

ESPN  will have two players, both coaches and a referee wear microphones that will provide live audio during the telecast. In addition, players from both teams will have flip cameras that will let fans behind the scenes. The telecast will include features on Auriemma and 2009 WNBA MVP Diana Taursai and the announcement of the next class of inductees in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
The WNBA and ESPN

ESPN has televised WNBA games since the league’s inaugural season in 1997, including the first All-Star Game in 1999. In addition to ESPN’s presentation of the WNBA vs. USA Basketball; The Stars at the Sun presented by adidas, ESPN2 will combine to televise 18 regular-season WNBA games and up to 11 postseason telecasts. Every ESPN2 game will also be offered on ESPN3.com.

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WNBA vs. USA Basketball: The Stars at the Sun presented by adidas Saturday on ESPN is a post from: Sports Media News

This year’s coverage of the 2009 WNBA postseason (Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals and Finals, WNBA Finals) on ESPN2 (13 telecasts) delivered double-digit increases in viewership, households and in key male and female demos vs. 2008.  The postseason concluded Friday, Oct. 9, with a decisive Game 5  WNBA Finals matchup, in which the Phoenix Mercury captured its second WNBA title, defeating the Indiana Fever, 94-86.  The postseason earned a 0.4 rating, up 100 percent compared to last year (0.2), with a 54 percent increase in household impressions (352,000 vs. 229,000).  There was also a 100 percent increase in viewership for P2+ (0.2 vs. 0.1), delivering 435,000 viewers, up 54 percent from last year (282,000).

In addition, the WNBA postseason on ESPN2 saw increases in key demographics, including men 18-49 (+49%) and men 25-54 (+39%).  WNBA postseason viewing among women also saw significant growth.  Female viewers between the ages of 18-49 and 25-54 were up 73 percent and 51 percent, respectively.

Moreover, the five-game WNBA Finals series averaged 548,000 viewers (P2+), up 73 percent vs. last season (316,000).  The series averaged 434,000 households, up 68 percent, and delivered a 33 percent ratings increase (0.4) from last year (0.3).

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WNBA Postseason on ESPN2 Delivers Double-Digit Increases Across the Board is a post from: Sports Media News

Through Game 2 of the 2009 WNBA Finals, ESPN2′s telecasts are averaging 531,000 viewers (P2+), an increase of 55 percent when compared to last year’s 331,000 viewers. The corresponding household impressions are up 47 percent (410,000 vs. 278,000 in 2008) and the 0.4 rating is an increase of 33 percent over last year’s 0.3 rating.

ESPN2’s exclusive coverage of the WNBA Finals presented by adidas will continue with Game 3 on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 4 p.m. ET from Indianapolis. The best-of-five series is tied 1-1. Terry Gannon will call the remainder of the WNBA Finals with analyst Carolyn Peck and reporters Heather Cox and Rebecca Lobo. Prior to each tip, ESPN2 will televise the WNBA Shootaround pre-game show with host Pam Ward and analyst Nancy Lieberman. The Finals are also available in high definition on ESPN2 HD and via ESPN360.com, ESPN’s signature broadband service.

*if necessary

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ESPN2′s WNBA Finals Audience Up 55 Percent Through Two Games is a post from: Sports Media News

For photos of ESPN’s WNBA commentators, please click here.

ESPN2 will tip off its coverage of the 2009 WNBA Playoffs on Wednesday, Sept. 16, with action from the Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals. Out of the East, the defending WNBA champion Detroit Shock will take on the Atlanta Dream, who will be making their first WNBA playoff appearance. In addition, on Thursday, Sept. 17, the Indiana Fever will go head to head with the Washington Mystics. In the West, the Seattle Storm will take on the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday, while the Phoenix Mercury will play defending Western Conference champion San Antonio Silver Stars on Thursday. The best-of-three Conference Semifinal games will conclude with potential Game 3 matchups on Sunday, Sept. 20, and Monday, Sept. 21, all on ESPN2.

Also, ESPN2 and ESPN360.com will air Game 1 of the Eastern and Western Conference Finals, respectively, on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET. The networks will also air the best-of-five WNBA Finals, which will begin Tuesday, Sept. 29, with a potential Game 4 and Game 5 on Wednesday, Oct. 7, and Friday, Oct. 9. WNBA Finals coverage will be supplemented by WNBA Shootaround, a pregame studio show.

All playoff games (up to 15) will be produced in high definition and will also be simulcast on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network. This will be the first time every postseason WNBA game is televised in high definition on ESPN2 HD.

During the WNBA Conference Semifinals, Carolyn Peck, Nancy Lieberman and Doris Burke will serve as the primary analysts and will be joined by play-by-play announcers Pam Ward, Terry Gannon, Bob Wischusen and Dave Pasch and sideline reporters Rebecca Lobo and Heather Cox.

The WNBA’s regular season on ESPN2 (13 telecasts) concluded with an average of 269,000 viewers, up 8% vs. last season (248,000 viewers). In addition, regular-season games on ESPN2 saw increases in key demographics, including men 18-34 (+9%), men 18-49 (+14%) and men 23-54 (+23%).

2009 WNBA Playoff and WNBA Finals Schedule (Subject to change)

* – If necessary

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ESPN2 to Provide Extensive Coverage of WNBA Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals and WNBA Finals; Coverage Begins Wednesday, Sept. 16 is a post from: Sports Media News

2009 WNBA All-Star Game in High Definition Saturday on ABC HD
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2010 to be Announced

The best-of-the-best from the East and West will face each other in the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., Sunday, July 25, at 3:30 p.m. ET, in high definition on ABC HD.  Dave Pasch will call the ninth All-Star Game alongside analysts Nancy Lieberman and Carolyn Peck, with courtside reporters Heather Cox and Rebecca Lobo.

The Eastern Conference will feature All-Stars Alana Beard of the Washington Mystics, Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas of the Indiana Fever, and Candice Dupree and Sylvia Fowles of the Chicago Sky.  The Western Conference All-Stars will be led by starters Becky Hammon of the San Antonio Silver Stars and Lauren Jackson of the Seattle Storm.

Asjha Jones of the Connecticut Sun will be one of five former UConn stars suiting up for this year’s All-Star Game, the most by any university. The others include Western Conference All-Stars Sue Bird and Swin Cash of Seattle, Charde Houston of the Minnesota Lynx and Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury.

Lin Dunn, head coach of the Indiana Fever, will lead the Eastern Conference, while Dan Hughes, head coach of the San Antonio Silver Stars, will coach the West.  Both head coaches, one player from each team and the lead referee will wear live microphones during the telecast.  ABC’s production will also include the exclusive live announcement of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2010.

To supplement ABC’s telecast of the game, ESPN.com will provide robust coverage of the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game with pre-game features from columnists Mechelle Voepel and Graham Hays, plus a new interactive social media site, which will include live-blogging from Voepel and Hays, tweets from ESPN TV personalities @RebeccaLobo, @NancyLieberman and @CAROLYNPECK and WNBA All-Stars, WNBA fan questions and comments, polls, photos, highlight video, ESPN Stats and Analysis research notes and more. WNBA All-Stars scheduled to participate: Alana Beard, Charde Houston, Cappie Pondexter, Sophia Young and Swin Cash.

The WNBA and ESPN
ESPN has televised WNBA games since the league’s inaugural season in 1997, including the first All-Star Game in 1999.  ABC and ESPN2 will combine to televise 13 regular-season WNBA games, the WNBA All-Star game, and up to 15 postseason telecasts. Every ESPN2 game will also be offered on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network, and ESPN International networks in Atlantic (sub-Saharan Africa), Pac Rim (Australia/NZ), Latin North, Latin South, Latin Caribbean, Latin Brazil, Middle East, as well as on ESPN Australia HD and ESPN Brazil HD.  Live coverage of up to 15 games will also be available on ESPN Mobile TV.

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2009 WNBA All-Star Game in High Definition Saturday on ABC HD is a post from: Sports Media News

Two-time WNBA MVP Cynthia Cooper-Dyke to serve as analyst for preview show

Network will air 43 games throughout the league’s season beginning with Chicago @ Minnesota and San Antonio @ Phoenix

NBA TV takes the court for coverage of the WNBA with 43 games airing live on the network. The WNBA will tip off on NBA TV on Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET with an exclusive WNBA Preview Show hosted by Andre Aldridge and featuring analyst Cynthia Cooper-Dyke who is a four-time WNBA Champion, four-time Finals MVP and two-time League MVP. The pair will breakdown WNBA storylines and provide analysis for the upcoming season. The show will also feature an interview with No. 1 WNBA Draft pick Angel McCoughtry of the Atlanta Dream. The WNBA Preview Show will lead up to a doubleheader beginning at 8 p.m. ET.  The first game will feature the Chicago Sky @ Minnesota Lynx, followed by the San Antonio Silver Stars @ Phoenix Mercury at 10 p.m. ET.

On Friday, June 12 NBA TV will air a match-up between the WNBA’s newest team the Atlanta Dream facing the Chicago Sky at 8:30 p.m. ET.  Coverage continues on Saturday, June 13 at 8 p.m. ET with the San Antonio Silver Spurs hosting the New York Liberty.

The WNBA on NBA TV schedule includes appearances from all 13 WNBA teams including: Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Detroit Shock, Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs, San Antonio Silver Stars, Seattle Storm and Washington Mystics.

NBA Digital is a landmark partnership between the NBA and Turner Sports to jointly manage the NBA’s digital assets, which include NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA League Pass, NBADLeague.com and WNBA.com.

WNBA ON NBA TV PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE:

JUNE
Saturday        June 6  8 p.m.  Chicago Sky @ Minnesota Lynx
10 p.m. San Antonio Silver Stars @ Phoenix Mercury

Friday  June 12 8:30 p.m.       Atlanta Dream @ Chicago Sky

Saturday        June 13 8 p.m.  New York Liberty @ San Antonio Silver Stars

Friday  June 19 7:30 p.m.       San Antonio Silver Stars @ New York Liberty

Sunday  June 21 3 p.m.  San Antonio Silver Stars @ Connecticut Sun
6 p.m.  Detroit Shock @ Indiana Fever
8 p.m.  Seattle Storm @ Phoenix Mercury
9:30 p.m.       Sacramento Monarchs @ Los Angeles Sparks

Friday  June 26 10 p.m. Los Angeles Sparks @ Seattle Storm

Saturday        June 27 8 p.m.  Phoenix Mercury @ Minnesota Lynx

Sunday  June 28 9:30 p.m.       Seattle Storm @ Los Angeles Sparks

JULY
Thursday        July 2  7 p.m.  Connecticut Sun @ Indiana Fever
8 p.m.  Sacramento Monarchs @ Minnesota Lynx

Sunday  July 5  9:30 p.m.       Phoenix Mercury @ Los Angeles Sparks

Saturday        July 11 7 p.m.  Detroit Shock @ Connecticut Sun

Sunday  July 12 7 p.m.  Minnesota Lynx @ San Antonio Silver Stars
9 p.m.  Chicago Sky @ Seattle Storm

Wednesday       July 15 1 p.m.  Atlanta Dream @ Minnesota Lynx
3:30 p.m.       Sacramento Monarchs @ Seattle Storm
10 p.m. Detroit Shock @ Seattle Storm

Sunday  July 19 6 p.m.  San Antonio Silver Stars @ Chicago Sky
8 p.m.  Minnesota Lynx @ Seattle Storm

Thursday        July 30 7:30 p.m.       Washington Mystics @ New York Liberty

AUGUST
Saturday        August 1        7 p.m.  New York Liberty @ Atlanta Dream
8 p.m.  Connecticut Sun @ Chicago Sky
10 p.m. San Antonio Silver Stars @ Seattle Storm

Friday  August 7        8 p.m.  Connecticut Sun @ Minnesota Lynx

Friday  August 14       7:30 p.m.       Chicago Sky @ New York Liberty

Saturday        August 15       8 p.m.  Phoenix Mercury @ San Antonio Silver Stars

Friday  August 21       7:30 p.m.       Connecticut Sun @ New York Liberty

Thursday        August 27       7 p.m.  San Antonio Silver Stars @ Indiana Fever
10:30 p.m.      Phoenix Mercury @ Los Angeles Sparks

Friday  August 28       8:30 p.m.       New York Liberty @ Chicago Sky

Saturday        August 29       10 p.m. Connecticut Sun @ Phoenix Mercury

Sunday  August 30       9:30 p.m.       Connecticut Sun @ Los Angeles Sparks

SEPTEMBER
Wednesday       September 2     7 p.m.  Phoenix Mercury @ Indiana Fever

Friday  September 4     7 p.m.  New York Liberty @ Connecticut Sun

Saturday        September 5     8 p.m.  Seattle Storm @ Minnesota Lynx

Tuesday September 8     10:30 p.m.      San Antonio Silver Stars @ Los Angeles Sparks

Thursday        September 10    7:30 p.m.       New York Liberty @ Detroit Shock
10 p.m. San Antonio Silver Stars @ Sacramento Monarchs

Friday  September 11    10:30 p.m.      Minnesota Lynx @ Los Angeles Sparks

NBA TV Tips Off Coverage of the WNBA with an Exclusive Preview Show on Saturday, June 6 is a post from: Sports Media News

Season Tips Off on ABC June 6 with the Defending Champion Detroit Shock at L.A. Sparks

For the first time ever, every regular and postseason WNBA game will be televised in high definition on ESPN2 HD and ABC HD.  The networks will combine to televise 13 regular-season WNBA games, the WNBA All-Star game, and up to 15 postseason telecasts, starting with the defending champion Detroit Shock at the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, June 6, at 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

This will also mark the first year of the new eight-year rights extension between ESPN and the WNBA through the 2016 season. As a result of the new agreement, every ESPN2 game will be offered on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network, and ESPN International networks in Atlantic (sub-Saharan Africa), Pac Rim (Australia/NZ), Latin North, Latin South, Latin Caribbean, Latin Brazil, Middle East, as well as on ESPN Australia HD and ESPN Brazil HD.  Live coverage of up to 15 games will also be available on ESPN Mobile TV.

The ESPN2 schedule will tip off with a WNBA Tuesday opener on June 9 at 7 p.m., when Tamika Catchings and the Indiana Fever host the Seattle Storm, led by Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson.  Overall, ESPN2 will televise 12 regular-season games and ABC will air two.

ESPN2 will extend its coverage into the postseason with coverage of the Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals and Finals, beginning Wednesday, Sept. 16.  The complete schedule will be announced at a later date.

COMMENTATORS

Carolyn Peck and Nancy Lieberman will alternate as game analysts and will be joined by rotating play-by-play commentators Terry Gannon, Dave Pasch and Pam Ward with reporters Heather Cox and Rebecca Lobo.  Fans can also follow Lobo, Lieberman and Peck on Twitter throughout the season: @RebeccaLobo, @NancyLieberman and @CAROLYNPECK.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:

• WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday, July 25, at 3:30 p.m. on ABC, from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
• Five appearances by the Sparks, featuring All-Star center Lisa Leslie, who will retire after this season.
• 2008 WNBA Finals rematch between the Shock and San Antonio Silver Stars on Saturday, August 29, at 3 p.m. on ESPN2.
• No. 1 Draft pick Angel McCoughtry from Louisville will make her national television debut with the Atlanta Dream against the Minnesota Lynx and No. 4 Draft pick Renee Montgomery of Connecticut on Tuesday, June 30, at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
• Top Draft picks and former Maryland Terrapins teammates Marissa Coleman (No. 2) of the Washington Mystics and Kristi Toliver (No. 3) of the Chicago Sky will square off Thursday, July 23, at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
• Full-access coverage with live microphones on players/coaches/referees, exclusive locker room interviews, and above and below the rim cameras for select telecasts.
• Fans will also be able to follow the action on ESPN’s MVP application, which will include video highlights, recaps, statistics and features.
• ESPN.com coverage will include weekly original content, such as blogs and columns from Mechelle Voepel and Power Rankings by Melanie Jackson.  Additional content includes game previews, recaps, stats and standings.

2009 Schedule on ESPN2 & ABC

ESPN2 and ABC to Present Entire WNBA Schedule in HD is a post from: Sports Media News

For the first time ever, the WNBA Draft presented by adidas will be televised in high definition on ESPN2 HD and ESPNU HD. In addition ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband digital sports television network, will join ESPN2 and ESPNU to deliver live coverage of the 2009 Draft from the NBA Entertainment studios in Secaucus, N.J., on Thursday, April 9, starting with the first round on ESPN2 HD from 3-4 p.m. ET.  ESPNU HD and NBA TV will televise the second and third rounds from 4-5:30 p.m. This will mark the eighth year the ESPN networks will televise the WNBA Draft.

Pam Ward will host the network’s comprehensive draft coverage the day after ESPN’s presentation of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship. Analyst Carolyn Peck and Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman, along with sideline reporter and WNBA legend Rebecca Lobo, will join Ward for the telecast.

The Atlanta Dream have the first overall pick by virtue of winning the WNBA Draft Lottery. The Washington Mystics will pick second, followed by the Chicago Sky, Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury.

Top players eligible for this year’s draft include Oklahoma’s Courtney and Ashley Paris, Louisville’s Angel McCoughtry, Rutgers’ Kia Vaughn, Connecticut’s Renee Montgomery and Maryland’s Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver.

ESPN2 and ABC will combine to televise up to 29 national telecasts during the 2009 WNBA regular season and playoffs. Coverage will tip off Saturday, June 6, at 2:30 p.m. with the defending champion Detroit Shock at the Los Angeles Sparks on ABC. The complete ESPN2 and ABC schedule will be announced at a later date.

WNBA Draft in High Definition for the First Time Ever on ESPN2 HD and ESPNU HD is a post from: Sports Media News