SI.com to Launch a New Weekly Video Franchise Featuring Some of the
Biggest Names in Sports Broadcasting with Behind the Mic presented by Allstate Set to Launch on October 1
The Sports Illustrated Group and Turner Sports announced today the launch of a new online video franchise for SI.com entitled Behind the Mic presented by Allstate. The new SI.com video series will debut on Oct. 1, showcasing the candid views, insights and expertise of some of the biggest names in sports broadcasting.
Each week Behind the Mic presented by Allstate will feature multiple 90-second video segments with the analysts offering their insights and opinions on topics impacting the sports they are most associated with, as well as responding to comments made by newsmakers that have resonated within their sport. Additional video segments will be added during each sport’s respective postseasons and championships.
The collection of on-air personalities includes multiple Hall of Famers, MVP’s, World Champions, All-Stars, Pro Bowlers and Emmy Award winners including Turner Sports roster of marquee on-air personalities. Featured Analysts for Behind the Mic presented by Allstate include:
– Charles Barkley, 1993 NBA MVP & Basketball Hall of Famer (NBA)
– Cris Collinsworth, 3-time Pro Bowler (NFL)
– Boomer Esiason, 1988 NFL MVP & 4-time Pro Bowler (NFL)
– Nick Faldo, 6-time Major Winner (Golf)
– Doug Flutie, Heisman Trophy Winner (NCAA Football)
– Howie Long, 8-time Pro Bowler & Pro Football Hall of Famer (NFL)
– Kevin McHale, 7-time NBA All-Star & Basketball Hall of Famer
– Reggie Miller, 5-time NBA All-Star
– Cal Ripken, 19-time MLB All-Star & MLB Hall of Famer (MLB)
– Phil Simms, 2-time Super Bowl Champion & Super Bowl XX MVP (NFL)
– Kenny Smith, 2-time NBA Champion (NBA)
The debut video segments on October 1 will include:
- Cris Collinsworth on Michael Vick’s performance and what to expect in the coming weeks from the Eagles QB.
- Boomer Esiason on the Pittsburgh Steelers 3-0 start and how Ben Roethisberger’s return will impact their team.
- Nick Faldo previewing this weekend’s Ryder Cup.
- Doug Flutie on how Boise State would fair vs. power conference teams like Alabama and Ohio State, as well as addressing if Georgia head coach Mark Richt is on the hot seat.
- Howie Long on the poor start by the NY Giants and where he sees their season going.
- Cal Ripken looking ahead to next week’s MLB Postseason Division Series, which will air exclusively on Turner’s TBS cable network.
“Behind the Mic is the kind of collaboration with Turner Sports that raises our game with lively, experienced voices that fans want to hear,” said Terry McDonell, Sports Illustrated Group Editor.
“Behind the Mic gives Allstate a true, organic marketing platform to communicate with sports fans across the country,” said Mark LaNeve, chief marketing officer at Allstate Insurance Company. “This online franchise is built around ‘quotes’ and expertise, which are at the core of Allstate’s business as well as sports broadcasting. We’re excited about this opportunity.”
The partnership represents the latest addition to Allstate’s sports sponsorship portfolio, which includes various football and soccer properties, the U.S. Olympic Team and U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame presented by Allstate, as well as numerous regional sports sponsorships.
“Behind the Mic is our first collaborative product since our recent partnership announcement with SI.com and one we envision bringing thoughtful discussion to their passionate fan-base through some of the most candid voices in sports broadcasting,” said David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. “It represents one of our key goals through this collaboration; providing the fans, through our joint industry resources, with high-quality, timely video content. This is without a doubt, a great collection of broadcast talent assembled and SI.com users will enjoy their informative and entertaining insights.”
About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.
About Sports Illustrated
The Sports Illustrated Group’s award-winning journalism powers a media company that includes Sports Illustrated, SI.com, Golf Magazine, Golf.com, SI Golf Plus, SI Presents, SI Kids, SI International, SI Books, SI Mobile, SI Swimsuit, consumer products and experiential marketing.
Earlier this year, Sports Illustrated was named to Adweek’s list of the industry’s hottest brands. Also in 2010, SI.com received a National Magazine Award for its NFL coverage, Editor & Publisher named SI.com the best sports website with over 1MM unique visitors and SI.com was a Webby Award finalist in the category of best sports website.
About Turner Sports
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, TNT and truTV, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com. Turner Sports’ diverse portfolio also offers a collection of mobile Web sites and apps featuring NBA, NASCAR and professional golf content, along with Turner Sports’ first branded consumer product, SportsNOW. 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, NBADLEAUGE.com and WNBA.com.
TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television’s top-rated comedy network and is available in 100.1 million households. It serves as home to such original comedy series as My Boys, Are We There Yet? and Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and Meet the Browns; the late-night hit Lopez Tonight, starring George Lopez, and the upcoming late-night series starring Conan O’Brien; hot contemporary comedies like Family Guy and The Office; specials like Funniest Commercials of the Year; special events, including star-studded comedy festivals in Chicago; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
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