Sports Media News

Keeping Up With All The Industry Press Releases

Archives for July 2009

“Sunday MLB on TBS” Continues with Tigers @ Yankees at 2 p.m. ET

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 “Sunday MLB on TBS” Continues with Tigers @ Yankees at 2 p.m. ET

 

“Sunday MLB on TBS” continues on Sunday, July 19th at 2 p.m. ET with an American League match-up featuring Curtis Granderson and the Detroit Tigers visiting Mark Teixeira and the New York Yankees.  The Tigers’ probable starting pitcher Justin Verlander is scheduled to take the mound against Joba Chamberlain of the Yankees.  Chip Caray (play-by-play) and Ron Darling (analyst) will call the action from the broadcast booth.

Sunday MLB on TBS includes match-ups on TBS every Sunday afternoon throughout the regular season.  In October TBS will once again provide exclusive coverage of the Division Series and the National League Championship Series (NLCS). 

TBS has broadcast MLB coverage for more than 30 years serving as the exclusive home of the MLB Division Series (DS) and one League Championship Series (LCS) since 2007 and home of Atlanta Braves coverage from 1977 to 2007. 

 

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS SCHEDULE:

 

DAY/DATE

TIME (ET)             EVENT  

 

Sun., July 19

 

2 p.m.                      Detroit Tigers @ New York Yankees

Announcers: Chip Caray (play-by-play) and Ron Darling (analyst)

 

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

 

Sun., July 26

 

1:30 p.m.                 St. Louis Cardinals @ Philadelphia Phillies

Announcers: Chip Caray (play-by-play), Ron Darling (analyst) and David Wells (analyst)

 

 

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ESPNU to Televise Coverage of Inaugural ESPN RISE Games July 25-29

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ESPNU to Televise Coverage of Inaugural ESPN RISE Games July 25-29

Game Coverage, Recap Shows and More

 

ESPNU will provide extensive coverage from the ESPN RISE Games Presented by Target, beginning Saturday, July 25 through Wednesday, July 29.  Televised events will include the 2009 Under Armour All-America Softball Game, Champion® Gridiron Kings, the AAU Super Showcase presented by Champion, and a 30-minute recap show. ESPN RISE Games Presented by Target is a new weeklong, multi-sport event that will feature elite and competitive sports.  The inaugural event takes place at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex; the nation’s leading multi-sport complex for amateur and professional sports, in suburban Orlando, Fla.

 

The ESPN RISE Games Presented by Target is anchored by the Under Armour High School Softball All-American (UA) game (July 21), ESPN RISE’s newly developed, elite high school football event Champion® Gridiron Kings (GK) and the AAU 17-under Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion® (July 26-27), which will all be featured on ESPNU.

 

The Under Armour All-America Softball game will showcase 30 of the top high school All-Star players in the nation divided into two squads.  Players are selected by a committee of high school softball experts. ESPNU will televise two hours of coverage on tape delay Saturday, July 25 at 7 p.m. ET.

 

The Champion® Gridiron Kings is an elite high school football event that features 64 of the best players in the game’s seven skill positions – quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback and safety.  The event includes performance training, position specific training, skills challenges and a 7-on-7 competition. One-hour coverage of this event will air on ESPNU Tuesday, July 28, at 7 p.m.

 

The AAU Super Showcase attracts the top college basketball coaches in the land and some of the top high school players in the country.  ESPNU will provide viewers with in-depth analysis of the players and interviews by Andy Katz with 30-plus college coaches, including Bruce Pearl (Tennessee), John Calipari (Kentucky), Roy Williams (North Carolina), Billy Donovan (Florida) and Jamie Dixon (Pittsburgh).  Meanwhile ESPNU anchor Lowell Galindo and ESPN Scouts, Inc. Basketball Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi will be announcing games between some of the top AAU teams in the nation during the live four-hour telecast from 5 -9 p.m., July 26-27.  Some of the top players to be featured include several ESPNU 100 players: No. 4 Jared Sullinger (All-Ohio Red), No. 12 Will Barton (Baltimore Elite), No. 13 Reggie Bullock (Chris Paul All-Stars, N.C.), No. 19 Tobias Harris (Albany City Rocks, N.Y.), No. 14 Dion Waiters (Team Final, Pa.).  In addition, ESPNU Super 60’s No. 1 Mike Gilchrist, who will represent Team Final and No. 2 Austin Rivers of Team Stat (Fla.), will be on display. 

 

The ESPN RISE Games Recap Show Presented by Target will be hosted by Lowell Galindo on Wednesday, July 29, at 7 p.m. The show will review the first-year event with video highlights and commentary from the attendees and ESPN commentators.

 

 ESPNU TV Schedule for ESPN RISE Games Presented by Target:

 

Date

Time

Event

Commentators

Sat., Jul. 25

7 p.m. (tape delayed from Jul. 21-21)

Under Armour All-America Softball Game

Lowell Galindo, Mike Gleason and Garland Cooper

Sun., Jul. 26

5 p.m. (Live)

AAU Super Showcase Presented by Champion

Galindo, Paul Biancardi and Andy Katz

Mon., Jul. 27

5 p.m. (Live)

AAU Super Showcase Presented by Champion

Galindo, Biancardi and Katz

Tue., Jul. 28

7 p.m. (tape delayed from Jul. 24-25)

Champion® Gridiron Kings

Galindo, Tom Luginbill and Craig Haubert

Wed., Jul. 29

7 p.m.

ESPN RISE Games Recap Show Presented by Target

Galindo

 

About ESPNU

ESPNU launched on March 4, 2005. The 24-hour college sports television network features more than 550 live events annually, including college football, college basketball and Olympic sports from more than 25 Division I conferences, as well as premier high school content. The network also has a wide-ranging, long-term agreement with the NCAA for enhanced coverage of 22 NCAA Championships.

 

ESPNU also offers comprehensive studio programming, including live simulcasts of ESPN Radio’s The Herd with Colin Cowherd, and replays the best games of the week from ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Regional Television. The brand is also available in high definition on ESPNU HD and online at ESPNU.com. In addition, ESPNU Campus Connection, a multi-platform student-generated content initiative, was introduced in August 2007.

 

ESPNU will be available nationwide in more than 46 million households and has long-term carriage agreements with nine of the top 10 providers – Charter, Comcast, Cox, DirecTV (Channel 614), DISH Network (Channel 148), Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS TV and AT&T U-verse.

 

About ESPN RISE

ESPN RISE represents ESPN’s commitment to engage and elevate high school athletes by providing them with recognition, resources, information and inspiration that can motivate them to improve their skills and achieve their goals to be the best athletes they can.  ESPN RISE assets include ESPN RISE, GIRL, Hardwood and Gridiron magazines; ESPNRISE.com, Hoopgurlz.com and DyeStat.com; and more than 160 high school events including Elite 11, Elite 24, ESPN RISE Games, ESPN RISE National High School Invitational, Faster to First, Area Code Baseball and Nike Combines/Nike SPARQ Mini Camps.  ESPN RISE is uniquely positioned to provide high school athletes and the company’s core fans with compelling high school sports content across all ESPN platforms.

 

About Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex

Opened in 1997 at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States. The sprawling 220-acre state-of-the-art complex features the Milk House, a 165,000-square-foot field house which seats 5,500 for basketball; the 9,500-seat Champion® Stadium ballpark; the Hess Sports Fields, which include multiple baseball, softball and soccer fields; and the Jostens Center, an 80,000 square foot multi-sport field house. In addition, the complex has 11 tennis courts, including a stadium court, and a track and field complex. The complex is home to more than 180 amateur and professional sports and entertainment events each year, including the Major League Baseball Atlanta Braves spring training, the Pop Warner Super Bowl, the Old Spice Classic college basketball tournament, Chelsea Football Club events, Disney’s Soccer Showcase, the Special Olympics Florida Summer Games and the World Cheerleading Championships. Please visit disneysports.com for more information.

 

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NBC Sports Receives 8 Primetime Emmy Award Nominations

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NBC SPORTS RECEIVES 8 PRIMETIME EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS

Opening Ceremony of the XXIX Olympiad Nominated in Four Categories, Including Outstanding Special Class Program

NEW YORK – July 16, 2009 – NBC Sports has been nominated for eight Primetime Emmy Awards, four for its coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, including in the category of Outstanding Special Class Program. The nominations were announced today by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in Los Angeles.

The Primetime Emmy Award nominations for NBC Sports’ coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games are:

  • Outstanding Directing for A Variety, Music or Comedy Special
  • Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video For a Miniseries, Movie or Special 
  • Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety or Music Series or Special 
  • Outstanding Special Class Program

NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the most-watched event in television history with 215 million viewers, won six Sports Emmy Awards including Outstanding Live Event Turnaround, in April.

NBC, along with White Cherry Entertainment in association with Don Mischer Productions, also was nominated in four categories for the Bruce Springsteen Super Bowl Halftime Show in the following categories:

  • Outstanding Directing for A Variety, Music or Comedy Special
  • Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video For a Miniseries, Movie or Special
  • Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety or Music Series or Special
  • Outstanding Special Class – Short Format, Live-Action Entertainment Program

NBC earned a total of 67 nominations, ranking the Peacock as the top-nominated broadcast network.

Kenny Mayne’s SportsCenter “Fan Feast” Essays Debut July 20

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Kenny Mayne’s SportsCenter “Fan Feast” Essays Debut July 20

 

SportsCenter and ESPN.com’s four-week, fan-based celebration of the top sporting events to experience as a participant and to watch continues Monday, July 20, through Friday, July 24, with daily essays by Kenny Mayne, host of ESPN.com’s Mayne Street, on his top five events to see. The essays, one each day, will debut on SportsCenter at 9 a.m. ET and will be repeated on all editions of the program.

 

SportsCenter “Fan Feast” combines online (ESPN.com) submissions of 50-word essays by fans proposing their favorite sporting event to attend and favorite sporting event to participate in.  On Monday, July 20, a panel of ESPN.com editorial staff will post the top 10 essays submitted by fans in each category on their best sporting event to play.  The series will culminate in two winners – one for each category – to be announced the week of July 27 on SportsCenter at 6 p.m.  Highlights of Mayne’s essays:

 

Click SportsCenter “Fan Feast” to access and download photos from behind-the-scenes at the shoot of Mayne’s essays.

 

 

Monday, July 20:  Attend a Title Fight in Vegas

“Same day a title fight is announced: Get your flights, get your rooms, get your tickets … There’s nothing like being there. There’s an electricity on site that just doesn’t translate through your cable box … Whether you get halfway close or star gaze with binoculars from the rafters….you’re there…you’re in the same room with Denzel, Jack and not unattractive women.

 

“It builds and builds … The guy coming to the ring is either your fighter, or their fighter. This is war, man. You gotta take sides. They enter the ring. They stare each other down. They ignore the ref’s instructions. They want to attack…but not until Michael Buffer — Hold on. I think it’s copyrighted … And when they go at it, it’s like you feel every punch when your man is being pummeled. And you’re throwing haymakers from your seat when your man is on the attack … It’s one man defending himself against another … And you’re there to see your man rise…or fall.”

 

To preview, click: Attend a title fight in Vegas

 

Tuesday, July 21: Travel to a World Cup Game
“I mean my favorite is still our tackle football, but you gotta go with the world flow. You need to make the journey to a World Cup game. South Africa this next time, and no matter where it’s held, the whole world shows up. A missed goal, with all the action involved in the set up to the chance is more exciting than a lame one yard touchdown run in our football.

 

“The other countries had like a 300 year head start on us. But we’re getting there. Our soccer people are doing their damndest to give us something to root for. In the meantime, the spectacle is there for us to be a part of, to learn from even. Maybe one day our country will send fans who do something better than the wave.”

 

To preview, click: Travel to a World Cup Game

 

Wednesday, July 22:  Visit Royal Ascot Racecourse

“It’s called ‘Ascot’ all the time. But when the queen shows up, it’s then referred to as “Royal.” And that’s been going on since 1711 … Breeders’ Cup would be my runner-up for a must-go horse event. But this place is something to behold. I’m not much for convention but there’s no going against the grain at Ascot. A suit at minimum, top hat and tails if you don’t want the queen looking at you sideways.

 

“I’d seen nothing like it before and nothing like it since. A day at Ascot is a day of make believe – except for the Queen. She remains Queen. But for the rest of us, it’s a chance to play dress-up, to feel a part of something with perfect structure, to be in a place where the past and present blend together perfectly, poetically.”

 

Thursday, July 23: Experience the Men’s 100M finals

“Guys…I need your attention. But only for ten seconds. Not even a full ten seconds …  This is the biggest deal there is. Fastest man in the world … The fastest known men gather every four years at the Olympics. They weed out the relatively slow ones, and eight of ’em line up for the greatest (just under) ten seconds in sports.

 

“And it’s not just the finals race, it’s everything leading to it … They gather in the blocks, take their final stretch, and when the starter calls them to a set position, time stands still. Which is almost what the best of them are able to do once the running begins … Say, every four years, I want to know who the fastest man in the world is. There’s no other title quite like it.”

 

Friday July 24:  Watch a Children’s Game

“The best entertainment, and the thing closest to the spirit of any sport can be found at any children’s game. Disregard the handful of pushy parents and coaches who think they’re the second coming of Vince Lombardi. Concentrate on the kids. You used to be one. Remember how it felt when you got your new glove? When someone gave you a football for Christmas? It was so simple then. You needed a ball and a friend. With more friends you had a bigger game. Wiffle ball all day, every day.

 

“There is a window of opportunity for everyone to play, to be a part, to go unjudged, to just play. Go watch. It’s free and it’s a break from all the rest that’s made us cynical. No talk radio’s gonna bring ’em down. They’re playing their games. They’re getting their ice cream. They’re throwing their uniforms down from the bath so mom can get them ready for the next time they go to play.”

 

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Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the Open Championship Round One – Thursday, July 16, 2009

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Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the Open Championship from the Ailsa Course at Turnberry in Scotland

Round One – Thursday, July 16, 2009

 

TNT’s Round Two coverage of the Open Championship continues Fri., July 17 from 7 am – 7 pm ET/PT.  Watch live video coverage on PGA.com

 

Quote of the Day #1:

“I was on the (course) and we had to stop at the services, I needed to go to the restroom. When I walked in there it was out of context and a lot of people

were taking a double take and looking and was it or was it not (me) and basically what was I doing in the services? Even a guy who’s won three majors needs to go to the toilet”

–          Two-time defending Open Champion Padraig Harrington on the increased fame that comes with winning three majors

 

Quote of the Day #2:

“Tom (Watson) has socks that are older than that”

– Ernie Johnson on early first round leader Tom Watson playing against a field filled with young golfers, including 16 and 17 years olds

 

Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ian Baker-Finch, Bill Kratzert, Jim Huber, Terry Gannon, Tom Weiskopf, Paul Azinger, Peter Alliss, Mike Tirico, Curtis Strange and Judy Rankin

 

Baker-Finch on Sergio Garcia’s eagle on hole #7 (Par 5):  “(Sergio Garcia) needs to continue to do that throughout the whole week. We see him in the first three rounds hole some putts, but he normally struggles on Sundays.”

 

Baker-Finch on the aggressive play of Japanese teen sensation Ryo Ishikawa who finished with a 68 (-2): “The more he plays with great players and sees how they use the strategy around a great golf course like this, the better he’ll become at doing that. But at 17 (years old) you are aggressive, you don’t have that baggage in the back of your mind of the times you’ve messed up while hitting a driver when you shouldn’t have.”

 

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Tom Watson, who shot a 65 in the first round to lead the field early in the day.

 

Watson on how he feels after his first round 65 at Turnberry, compared to his famous win at the Open in 1977: “The body’s a little bit older, but the enthusiasm out there today was very similar. It was a wonderful day to play, there was very little wind. The course is obviously defenseless, a lot of the scores are going to be under par today because of that. It’s a good beginning round for me and the wind ought to pick up tomorrow afternoon according to the forecast, so she’ll have some teeth tomorrow and I’m looking forward to that.”

 

Watson on being more competitive against young players on links courses: “I’ve said that (that links courses are the great equalizer) about my ability to play against the kids. I can’t play against the kids at Augusta National, it’s just too soft. The golf course is too soft and too long and I’m hitting the wrong clubs into the holes. But I’ve said on links golf courses I can get it out there and get the ball rolling.”

 

Watson on adding a sixth Claret Jug trophy to his collection: “I could use one of those. I’m not being greedy, either.”

 

Kratzert on the pairing of Tiger Woods with 17-year-old Ryo Ishikawa: “I think the fact that Tiger looks at this young player and looks back a few years and he kind of sees himself, because Ishikawa has some kind of game and he’s going to be around for a long time and he fears nothing. It’s just been a great pairing and it’s been very conversational (between the two).” 

 

Baker-Finch on major championships eluding Stewart Cink, who finished at -5 in the first round: “You would have to think that Stewart Cink would win at least one major in his career as good a player as he is and as good as he’s been at every level of the game. I’d be surprised if he didn’t.”

 

Alliss on providing analysis on Tiger Woods: “Criticizing Tiger Woods is like telling Muhammed Ali how to box or (Roger) Federer how to serve.”

 

Baker-Finch on the first round of Tiger Woods, who finished with a 71 (+1): “(Tiger Woods) struggled a little bit from the tee, he hit three or four shots out to the right, he hit a shot viciously left on the third and I think that changed his whole way of thinking as he went into the round. Let’s avoid that one to the left and let a few hang out to the right as he played the round, sort of steered away from the trouble on the left. (Woods was) A little fortunate at times to find some decent lies way right at the fairway. He’ll go to the range and try to figure that out. (A score of) 71 is certainly not out of it, he’s only six back from the lead.”

 

Sir Jackie Stewart, three-time Formula One world champion and native Scottsman, joined the TNT booth.

 

Alliss on an experience with Sir Jackie Stewart: “(Stewart) once drove me from the front door of the Glenn Eagle Hotel down to the pro shop, about 600 yards or so, and he frightened the bloody daylights out of me.”

Stewart: “That was only because he is English. In Scotland we would love to have Peter Alliss as a Scot, but unfortunately the poor boy is English.”

 

Stewart on the golfing legends that he has had the privilege of playing with: “I’ve been very lucky to play with some fantastic golfers.  (I’ve played) with Jack (Nicklaus), Arnold (Palmer), Gary (Player), (Lee) Trevino, (Nick) Faldo and some of the modern players as well.  It’s been a great experience.  That’s one of the nice privileges of being a sportsman, you get to do things with other sports.”

 

Azinger on the bold outfit of Ian Poulter who sported a Union Jack sweater with red plaid pants: “I wonder if (Poulter) is a little self-conscious wearing that sweater. It’s really stepping out. He’s such a good player I just wonder if sometimes when he gets to this tournament if he just tries too hard to stand out and it effects his play a little bit.”

 

Azinger on Anthony Kim:  “(Anthony Kim) to me is the player to watch for the next 20-25 years.”

Weiskopf: “He makes a ton of birdies, usually. He’s a very aggressive player so he rolls the dice. When he plays he doesn’t back off.

Azinger: “He’s got such a swing, he doesn’t look like he’s ever going to get that far off; runs with some hot emotions once in a while, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

 

Strange on the unusually nice weather at Turnberry: “We have seen a couple of days like this over the years, maybe at St. Andrews, but this is quite unusual. I played here in 1986 and I was miserable for four days, nothing less.”

 

Strange on the ease of playing the Ailsa course at Turnberry: “The golf course is playing as easy as it could possibly play. If you didn’t shoot under par you were disappointed today. I think it’s very quiet out there today. I haven’t heard the roars, it’s been very quiet and calm, maybe that’s part of the weather. But I want it to change because I want to see the golf course play the way we know it to play.”

 

Strange on Miguel Angel Jimenez: “He’s a man at steady. Watch out. He’s never won here, but this could be his week.”

 

Jim Huber interviewed Miguel Angel Jimenez (-6) after his first round

 

Jimenez on winning the Open: “I’m 45 (years-old) and I don’t know how much longer I will be around with these new kids. I give everything to golf and I would love to win.”

 

Kratzert on Padraig Harrington’s improved confidence as the first round progressed: “As the round progressed today you could see Padraig get more and more confident.”

 

Jim Huber with 2007 & 2008 Open Championship winner Padraig Harrington (earlier this week)

 

Harrington on his season and if he’s frustrated with his play: “It’s not frustrating at all. I’ve been in control of what I’m doing; it’s a process, you’ve got to be patient. Sometimes these things take longer than you expect and you just have to wait it out. I don’t mind making short-term sacrifices for long-term games.”

 

Jim Huber interviewed Padraig Harrington (-1) after his first round

 

Harrington on how he felt after Day One: “My recent form hasn’t been so hot. Even though I hit the ball well today, I feel like I lacked a little in confidence.”

 

Harrington on his performance in the first round: “First round of the tournament, you want a nice and steady start. Although I’m not leading the tournament, I played well enough to have a chance.”

 

Jim Huber interviewed Jim Furyk (-3) after his first round

 

Furyk on his performance in the first round: “I could have played a little better today, but I’m happy with the score.”

 

 

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ESPN and ESPN2’s 2009 World Football Challenge Television Schedule and Commentators

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ESPN and ESPN2’s 2009 World Football Challenge Television Schedule and Commentators

All Matches in High Definition; Coverage on ESPN Deportes and ESPN360.com

 

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN360.com will combine to present live coverage of all six matches of the inaugural World Football Challenge, a six-city round-robin tournament in the U.S. July 19 – 26 featuring four of the best club soccer teams in the world – Chelsea FC, AC Milan, FC Internazionale Milano and Club America.  All the matches will be available in high definition.

 

The series will kick off Sunday, July 19, with Mexican Primera Division’s Club America vs. Italian Serie A champions Inter Milan live from Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, Calif., at 7 p.m. ET.  The Challenge will conclude Sunday, July 26 with an ESPN2 doubleheader – AC Milan vs. Inter Milan, in a first Milan derby to be played outside of Italy, from Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., at 5 p.m., and Chelsea vs. America from Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas, at 7 p.m.

 

The World Football Challenge gives soccer fans in the United States the opportunity to experience global soccer superstars such as Chelsea’s John Terry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack; AC Milan’s Ronaldinho, Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf; Inter Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovich, Javier Zannetti, and Douglas Maicon; and Club America’s Pavel Pardo, Guillermo Ochoa and Salvador Cabañas.

 

Additional highlights:

·         ESPN Deportes: live, on-site presentation of its critically-acclaimed studio program Futbol Picante and SportsCenter segments from the state-of-the-art Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas, surrounding the Chelsea vs. America match (July 26),

·         ESPN.com: pre-tournament preview and post-tourney wrap, fixture previews and post-match sidebars and stories, live gamecast and commentary, and photo gallery, and

·         ESPNDeportes.com:  match previews and post-match stories, interviews with players, and video highlights.

 

 

ESPN’s World Football Challenge Commentators

 

Two commentator teams will call the matches. ESPN’s lead commentator team for U.S. Men’s National Team and Major League Soccer telecasts, JP Dellacamera (play-by-play) with analyst John Harkes, and play by-play commentators Derek Rae with Adrian Healey and Alexi Lalas, former U.S. National Team defender.  ESPN Deportes SportsCenter anchor and seasoned bi-lingual sideline reporter Fernando Palomo will work matches featuring Club America.

 

Bios:

·         Dellacamera – has worked six straight FIFA World Cups as a play-by-play commentator…the lead voice for U.S. National Teams (men’s and women’s) and MLS telecasts on ESPN and ABC;

·         Harkes – former U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team captain who made his ESPN debut during 2006 FIFA World Cup, is the lead game analyst for U.S. Men’s National Team and MLS matches on ESPN and ABC;   

·         Healey – play-by-play for Euro 2008 title match…also calls UEFA Champions League matches for ESPN International;

·         Lalas – former U.S. Men’s National Team defender is ESPN studio analyst for soccer…joined the network after successful career as a professional and team manager in MLS;

·         Palomo – ESPN Deportes SportsCenter anchor has covered many marquee sports events including the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan…works select U.S. National Team and MLS matches providing English and Spanish-language reporting from the sidelines,

·         Derek Rae – has called ESPN’s English-language UEFA Champions League Final for the past eight years…lead play-by-play commentator for ESPN International.

 

 

2009 World Football Challenge Commentators Schedule  u  Subject to change

 

Date

Time (ET)

Networks

Match

Site

Su 7/19

7 p.m.

E2/360/ED

Club America vs. Inter Milan

JP Dellacamera, John Harkes and Fernando Palomo

Palo Alto, Calif.

Tu 7/21

11 p.m.

E2/360/ED

Chelsea FC vs. Inter Milan

Dellacamera and Harkes

Pasadena, Calif.

We 7/22

7 p.m.

E2/360/ED

AC Milan vs. Club America

Derek Rae, Alexi Lalas and Palomo

Atlanta, Ga.

Fr 7/24

8 p.m.

E1/360/ED

AC Milan vs. Chelsea FC

Adrian Healey and Lalas

Baltimore, Md.

Su 7/26

5 p.m.

E2/360/ED

AC Milan vs. Inter Milan

Dellacamera and Harkes

Foxboro, Mass.

 

7 p.m.

E2/360/ED

Chelsea vs. Club America

Healey, Lalas and Palomo

Arlington, Texas

 

E1 – ESPN        E2 – ESPN2      360 – ESPN360.com      ED – ESPN Deportes

 

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SPL Awards Live TV Rights To Sky Sports And ESPN In The UK And Ireland

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SPL AWARDS LIVE TV RIGHTS TO SKY SPORTS AND ESPN IN THE UK AND IRELAND 
 
The Scottish Premier League today awarded Sky Sports and ESPN the exclusive live rights to Clydesdale Bank Premier League games for the next five seasons in the UK and Ireland.  The deal will cover three years initially, with the SPL having a two-year extension option.
 
Each broadcaster will show 30 live games each season across the UK and Ireland, starting with the 2009-10 campaign this August.
 
Announcing the deal, Lex Gold, Chairman of the SPL, said: “We are pleased that in just over three weeks we have been able to strike this deal.  Sky and ESPN are two of the biggest names in sports broadcasting and they will bring first class production standards and a wide audience to the table.  We are looking forward to working with both in the coming years to raise the profile of the SPL for our clubs, fans and partners.”
 
“We’re delighted that ESPN will broadcast live Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League matches from this season, adding to our growing portfolio of world renowned live sport,” said Lynne Frank, ESPN Managing Director in Europe, Middle East and Africa.  “We look forward to working with the Scottish Premier League and its clubs over the next few years and beyond as we bring British and Irish sports’ fans all the SPL action and excitement live on our new ESPN and ESPN HD channels.” 
 
Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: “This new deal gives Sky Sports viewers 30 live matches a year, including each of the Old Firm games, all in HD.  And it gives the Scottish Premier League clubs stability and continued investment from committed partners.  Sky Sports has covered the Scottish game since our launch 18 years ago – we are long term supporters.  We are now looking forward to showing the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, alongside Scotland internationals and the Scottish Cup, for the next five years.”
 
 
The Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches will air on Sky Sports and ESPN.  ESPN has already reached an agreement for its coverage to be retailed by Sky to residential and commercial customers. ESPN is also in discussions with other Pay-TV platforms in the UK for the ESPN channel.

Weekly Features Across ESPN Platforms

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ESPN has obtained never-before-released documents, as well as video of Adam “Pacman” Jones “making it rain” in a Las Vegas strip club, which precipitated a melee that ended in a triple shooting outside the club. The video, evidence jurors are likely to see when Jones takes the stand as a witness, will run Friday on ESPN.com, live SportsCenters, 3 p.m. Outside the Lines and ESPNEWS

July 16, 2009

Vick is Free Monday, his case has direct Impact on Dogfighting business
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET ESPN, noon ESPNEWS)

Michael Vick – Dog Fighting

The day before Michael Vick completes his 23-month sentence for running a dog fighting ring, Outside the Lines will examine how the case surrounding the most famous individual to enter this underground world has impacted the dogfighting game. Since his case was publicized, more dogfighting operations have been raided, more dogfighters have been convicted and more dogs have been rescued. Vick is now partnering with the Humane Society of the United States to help educate young people, and while some say he is using that relationship to garner positive publicity, Humane Society president Wayne Pacelle says his organization will benefit more from engaging Vick than by endlessly criticizing him. Mark Schwarz reports about how the man who became the face of dogfighting in America has impacted its future.

“It devastated the business. That’s what I do for a living — I’m a professional dog man, and that’s how I pay my mortgage, my car payments and everything else. Depending on the quality of female, they (dogs) would go anywhere between $10,000 and $15,000, and as soon as he started hitting the media and he got indicted, they dropped to $1,500-$3,000.” — Victor Lopez, a central figure in what police call, “one of the most prolific dog cartels” in the world, on the impact Vick’s indictment has had on dog fighting

“The number of raids on dog fighting operations doubled from the year before Vick’s indictment to the year after. Because some of these raids were larger, the number of people arrested jumped 150 percent and the number of dogs rescued also doubled.” — John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues at the Humane Society of the United States

“Our goal is simple: End dog fighting in America. And I thought we could get much further down the field by engaging with him than by endlessly flogging him.” — Wayne Pacelle, President & CEO, Humane Society of the United States

Jim Rice: Slugging Savior
Outside the Lines piece to debut on SportsCenter (10 a.m. Sunday)

As Jim Rice looks forward to his Hall of Fame induction in 10 days, he looks back 27 years to an off-the-field moment that stands out in his mind. It was the day one of the most feared sluggers of the 1970s and ‘80s rushed into the Fenway Park stands to the aid of a four year-old boy who had been struck by a line drive. Greg Garber tells the story of that boy, his father and Rice’s heroic action.

Gaps in the Road: Willie Mays Aikens’ Fight to Comeback
Outside the Lines piece is posted on ESPN.com

Willie Mays Aikens, a 1980 World Series hero who lost 14 years to prison and crack cocaine, is now trying to repair a life that once held so much promise. Elizabeth Merrill reports.

Excerpt: “He runs up and down the stairs, inhales junk food, and takes long steams in the bathtub, anything to regenerate for the next high. He has no idea how he looks, that the ‘fro once squeezed inside his batter’s helmet is receding, that he weighs 308 pounds. He’s not even sure what day it is. But when the crack rock is too big, and his heart pounds too fast, Aikens is suddenly afraid, and reaches for some kind of hope. ‘God, don’t let this kill me,’ he says to himself. ‘Don’t let anything bad happen to me.’ It is 1994, the year he reached the lowest point of his life. This is when Willie Mays Aikens’ voyage to recovery begins.”

ESPN’s Week in Baseball

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ESPN’s Week in Baseball

Upcoming MLB schedule:

Sunday Night Baseball (July 19)
New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves at 6 p.m. ET
(ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, ESPN360.com, ESPN Mobile TV)
Commentators: Jon Miller, Joe Morgan, Steve Phillips

Monday Night Baseball (July 20)
Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies* at 7 p.m.
* full national telecast; available in both local markets
(ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN360.com, ESPN Mobile TV)
Commentators: Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser, Steve Phillips

Wednesday Night Baseball
(July 22)
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers at 8 p.m.
(ESPN2, ESPN2 HD, ESPN360.com)
Commentators: Dave O’Brien, Rick Sutcliffe

Baseball Tonight
ESPN’s nightly destination for MLB fans seeking highlights, news and information throughout the season, generally Monday through Saturday at 10 p.m. and midnight (9 p.m. PT); Sundays at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN2 and 7 p.m. on ESPN.

Following are highlights from this week’s Major League Baseball coverage on ESPN:

Surprise, Surprise – Bob Knight challenges officiating
Bob Knight Challenges Officials College basketball analyst Bob Knight revisited his coaching days when he playfully argued a call during the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.

Berman calls Fielder’s shots, including “no fielder is going to catch that” line
State Farm Home Run Derby champion Prince Fielder hit two bombs during the second round of the State Farm Home Run Derby, with Chris Berman providing the play-by-play. During one of the long shots, Berman said, “no fielder is going to catch that.” Fielder followed up with an even more impressive 503-foot blast.

Piniella reflects on first half with Gammons on SportsCenter
Piniella on First Half of Season Hall of Fame baseball reporter Peter Gammons interviewed Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella for SportsCenter’s Sunday Conversation. Piniella talked about the disappointing first half and his experiences with the Chicago media. Gammons ended the interview by asking Piniella if he would intentionally walk St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols in a one-game playoff, with a three-run lead in the ninth inning with bases loaded and two outs.

Baseball Tonight trio discuss swing technique
Nolan Ryan Interveiw Reporter Buster Olney shared his favorite swing among past players, while analysts Orestes Destrade and Eric Young looked at the swings of players in the game today and discussed the difference between smooth and angry swingers.

ESPN’s 20th Year All-Star Team Voting Intensifies
ESPN continues to celebrate 20 seasons of MLB coverage with fan voting determining a 20th year All-Star Team. ESPN viewers have voted throughout the first half of the season to narrow the list of 10 candidates per position down to three finalists in each category. This week, the fan vote will determine their favorite closer over the past 20 years. The winner – Dennis Eckersley, Trevor Hoffman or Mariano Rivera – will be announced during Sunday Night Baseball July 19. Last week, Randy Johnson won the fan vote over Tom Glavine and Johan Santana as favorite left-handed pitcher. Next week’s vote will determine the fans’ choice for top designated hitter over the previous 20 seasons.

Rosenthal on Phillies Signing Pedro: “What Is There To Lose?”

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FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

 

MLB on FOX Kicks Off Season’s Second Half

Rosenthal on Phillies Signing Pedro: “What Is There To Lose?”

 

FOX Sports Revamps Social Networking Sites

 

MLB’S SECOND HALF STARTS UP – Fresh off an intense MLB All-Star Game, The FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK presents its first weekend of the second half with three enticing matchups on Saturday, July 18 (4:00 PM ET).  In Atlanta, NL rivals meet as Jeff Francoeur and the Mets take on the man he was traded for, Ryan Church, and the Braves. Also, AL West rivals face off in Oakland as the A’s host the first-place Angels.  On the South Side, President Obama’s favorite team, the White Sox, host Adam Jones and the Orioles.  This week, the pregame show originates live from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland with host Chris Rose.  Once game action begins, Rose joins the game crew of Glenn Kuiper and Jose Mota as a field reporter.  For instant updates during the week and games from the entire MLB on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MLBONFOX.

 

 

GAME                                                                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST                                                COV.   

New York Mets at Atlanta Braves                                Thom Brennaman, Eric Karros                                      49%

                                                                                                & Ken Rosenthal

Turner Field – Atlanta, GA               

MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, St. Louis, Tampa,

West Palm Beach

Probable Pitchers: Johan Santana, LHP (10-7, 3.09 ERA) vs. Kenshin Kawakami, RHP (5-6, 4.26 ERA)

 

Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics                    Glenn Kuiper & Jose Mota                                               28%

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum – Oakland, CA                                

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tulsa

Probable Pitchers: Jered Weaver, RHP (10-3, 3.22 ERA) vs. Vin Mazzaro, RHP (2-5, 3.59 ERA)

 

Baltimore Orioles at Chicago White Sox                     Dick Stockton & Mark Grace                                          22%

U.S. Cellular Field – Chicago, IL                                    

MARKETS INCLUDE: Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Washington

Probable Pitchers: Jeremy Guthrie, RHP (6-8, 5.35 ERA) vs. John Danks, LHP (7-6, 3.91 ERA)

 

 

80th ALL-STAR GAME IS A WINNER FOR MLB & FOX SPORTS – The 80th MLB ALL-STAR GAME, an exciting 4-3 American League victory, was watched by an impressive total of 33.6 million viewers, supplanting last year’s Yankee Stadium extravaganza as the most-watched Midsummer Classic since 1999 (36.9 million), according to fast national figures released today by Nielsen Media Research.  It is the fourth consecutive year the All-Star Game’s total audience has risen year to year, and the sixth time it’s risen in the seven years since the rule tying home field advantage in the World Series to the winning league was adopted.  Total viewing of last night’s game was +13% higher than the same figure in 2002, the last year before the adoption of the World Series home field rule (33.6 million vs. 29.7 in 2002).

 

“Anyone who can figure a batting average knows that going six for seven is pretty good, and we’ve seen the All-Star Game’s audience rise six times in the seven years since the outcome determines home field advantage in the World Series,” said FOX Sports President Ed Goren.

 

ROSENTHAL PLEASED WITH PEDRO SIGNING – This week, former Mets pitcher and 3-time Cy-Young winner Pedro Martinez signed a 1-year contract to pitch for the NL East leading Philadelphia Phillies.  MLB on FOX reporter Ken Rosenthal is happy that Pedro is back and doesn’t see much downside for the defending champs.  “What is there to lose? Its $1 million guaranteed.  If Pedro wins three games, he basically pays for himself.  The Phillies were very impressed by what they saw – Pedro threw 88-89 mph with command,” said Rosenthal.  “Personally, I am just happy he is back in the game.  He’s one of baseball’s most intelligent and colorful guys.”


Click here to read Rosenthal’s notes that didn’t make it into last night’s All-Star Game telecast:

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9809204/Experience-doesn’t-help-NL-All-Star-staff

 

 

GET MORE FOXSPORTS ON FACEBOOK AND MYSPACE – With active Twitter accounts for its NASCAR, MLB & NFL coverage, FOX Sports has revamped its Facebook and MySpace pages.  By logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.myspace.com/foxsports, fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content.