Archives for April 2017

NBC News’ Dreyer Will Make Debut with NBC Sports Group as a Lifestyle Correspondent on Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks Coverage

 

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 27, 2017 – NBC News weather anchor and correspondent Dylan Dreyer will join NBC and NBCSN coverage of the 2017 Kentucky Derby as a lifestyle correspondent — her first assignment with NBC Sports Group. The 2017 Kentucky Derby will also mark Dreyer’s fourth consecutive year serving as TODAY’s on-location reporter during Derby week.

 

In her role on NBC Sports Group’s telecasts of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 6, and the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 5, Dreyer will document the sights, sounds and pageantry at historic Churchill Downs, home of the longest continuously run sporting event in the United States (1875).

 

“Working the Derby for TODAY has been a thrill for me, so I’m extremely excited to join the NBC Sports team to help document all that’s going on at Churchill Downs throughout Derby and Oaks Days,” said Dreyer.

 

“As an NBC News veteran of the Kentucky Derby, we welcome Dylan to our Derby and Oaks Day shows, where she will offer a unique perspective on the fashion, fun and what’s trending  around the track and the city of Louisville,” said Rob Hyland, Coordinating Producer for NBC Sports Group’s Triple Crown horse racing coverage.

 

A meteorologist for NBC News, Dreyer is the weather anchor for Weekend TODAY and serves as a weekday correspondent for TODAY and Nightly News with Lester Holt. TODAY has been the #1 morning show in the key Adult 25-54 demographic for 69 straight weeks, its best streak in more than four years.

 

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup. Also in 2017, NBC Sports Group televised the world’s richest horse race (the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational) and the $10 million Dubai World Cup, and in June will present the Epsom Derby and the Royal Ascot meet. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001, and the Belmont Stakes since 2011, when NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown.

 

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

Game 1 – (WC2) Nashville Predators at (3) St. Louis Blues – 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Game 1 – (2) Edmonton Oilers at (1) Anaheim Ducks – 10:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Thursday – (WC1) Rangers-(2) Senators at 7 p.m. ET on CNBC, (2) Penguins-(1) Capitals at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN

NBC Sports Group’s 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs First-Round Viewership Best Since 2014, Up 4% From Last Year

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 26, 2017 – NBC Sports Group begins its exclusive coverage of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight with a pair of Game 1 second-round matchups in the Western Conference on NBCSN, beginning at 8 p.m. ET., when P.K. Subban and the (WC2) Nashville Predators visit Vladimir Tarasenko and the (3) St. Louis Blues.

Connor McDavid and the (2) Edmonton Oilers hit the ice at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN in the second half of tonight’s Western Conference doubleheader, when they face off against Ryan Getlzaf and the (1) Anaheim Ducks.

Game 1 matchups in the East begin tomorrow night, starting at 7 p.m. ET on CNBC, when Erik Karlsson and the (2) Ottawa Senators host Henrik Lundqvist and the (WC1) New York Rangers. NBCSN will televise Game 1 of the highly-anticipated clash between Sidney Crosby’s (2) Pittsburgh Penguins and Alex Ovechkin’s (1) Washington Capitals at 7:30 p.m. ET, as the rivals meet in the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

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“NHL Playoff Pass” on NBC Sports Group Press Box provides a quick daily overview of Stanley Cup Playoff coverage, plus information and highlights. The Pass will be published weekdays to preview that evening’s games. Friday editions will include weekend information.

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THE PASS – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26 (All times ET)

7 p.m.	NHL Live	NBCSN	Liam McHugh, Jeremy Roenick, Keith Jones
8 p.m.	Game 1 – (WC2) Nashville at (3) St. Louis	NBCSN	Kenny Albert, Pierre McGuire
10:30 p.m.	Game 1 – (2) Edmonton at (1) Anaheim	NBCSN	Brendan Burke, Joe Micheletti

 

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs – will live stream all games airing on NBC, NBCSN, USA Network and CNBC, all via “TV Everywhere.”

*NOTE* – If Predators-Blues runs beyond 10:45 p.m. ET:

• Predators-Blues remains on NBCSN for national audience, and satellite TV subscribers in Anaheim. This audience can find the start of Oilers-Ducks on NHL Network, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app;

 

• Cable and AT&T U-verse subscribers in Anaheim market only will receive Oilers-Ducks on NBCSN, and can watch conclusion of Predators-Blues on NHL Network, and stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app;

 

• Oilers-Ducks will return to NBCSN for all viewers immediately following conclusion of Predators-Blues.

 

For more information on NBC Sports Group’s overall NHL Playoff coverage, please click here.

(WC2) NASHVILLE PREDATORS AT (3) ST. LOUIS BLUES – GAME 1 AT 8 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

This marks the first-ever playoff meeting between Nashville and St. Louis. The Predators (0.75 goals against per game) and the Blues (1.60 goals against per game) enter the second round as the top two defensive teams in the postseason. Nashville’s Pekka Rinne and St. Louis’ Jake Allen are the top two goaltenders in goals against average and save percentage thus far.

The Blues boast a 26-9-2 record since Mike Yeo took over head coaching duties on Feb. 1. Vladimir Tarasenko scored his first goal of the playoffs in St. Louis’ Game 5 series-clinching win against Minnesota, and is now fifth in Blues history in playoff goals (20).

The Predators’ top line of Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, and Viktor Arvidsson dominated Chicago, accounting for 15 points (5g/10a) and a plus-22 rating in their four games against the Blackhawks. Nashville won three of five matchups against St. Louis in the regular season.
(2) EDMONTON OILERS AT (1) ANAHEIM DUCKS – GAME 1 AT 10:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

Edmonton and Anaheim meet in the postseason for the first time since 2006, when Edmonton beat Anaheim in the Western Conference Final in five games to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

Connor McDavid led the Oilers with four points (2g/2a) in Edmonton’s first-round series victory against the Sharks. 21-year-old Leon Draisaitl helped propel the Oilers to the second round with two assists in Game 5, and the opening goal in their series-clinching win in Game 6.

Anaheim has been the hottest team in the NHL. The Ducks swept the Flames in the first round, have won eight straight games dating back to the regular season, and have not lost in regulation in more than six weeks (15-0-3). Ryan Getzlaf led the Ducks with three goals in their first-round series with Calgary, and Anaheim has scored at least three goals in 13 of its last 14 games.

NBC SPORTS GROUP’S 2017 NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS FIRST-ROUND VIEWERSHIP BEST SINCE 2014, UP 4% FROM LAST YEAR

On the strength of a record 18 overtime games, dazzling performances by young stars like Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid, and side-by-side coverage for the first time in local markets, NBC Sports Group’s Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of the first round of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs averaged 742,000 viewers, up 4% vs 2016 (713,000 viewers).

This was the most-watched first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2014 (753,000 viewers), despite no Game 7 matchups for the first time since the 2001 postseason. In addition, the 2017 first round featured five Canadian teams – compared to no Canadian teams last season. Click here for more information.

 

“WHERE IN THE WORLD IS PIERRE MCGUIRE?” EMMY-AWARD WINNING ‘INSIDE-THE-GLASS’ ANALYST CONTINUES MARATHON SCHEDULE

NBC Sports Group’s Emmy-Award winning ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Pierre McGuire continues his marathon Stanley Cup Playoff broadcasting schedule into the second round. McGuire called 12 games in 12 days in the first round spanning six of the eight series and eight different cities.

McGuire kicks off his second-round slate tonight with Game 1 of the Predators-Blues series in St. Louis. McGuire is slated to call nine games in nine days to begin the second round, which will mark 21 consecutive days he has called a Stanley Cup Playoff when there has been one on the schedule.

*Note – schedule is subject to change

Date	Coverage	Travel
Wed., April 12	Game 1 – (3) Columbus at (2) Pittsburgh	Pittsburgh > Chicago
Thurs., April 13	Game 1 – (WC2) Nashville at (1) Chicago	Chicago > St. Paul
Fri., April 14	Game 2 – (3) St. Louis at (2) Minnesota	St. Paul > Chicago
Sat., April 15	Game 2 – (WC2) Nashville at (1) Chicago	Chicago > St. Louis
Sun., April 16	Game 3 – (2) Minnesota at (3) St. Louis	St. Louis > Boston
Mon., April 17	Game 3 – (2) Ottawa at (3) Boston	Boston > Columbus
Tues., April 18	Game 4 – (2) Pittsburgh at (3) Columbus	Columbus > St. Louis
Wed., April 19	Game 4 – (2) Minnesota at (3) St. Louis	St. Louis > Montreal
Thurs., April 20	Game 5 – (WC1) N.Y. Rangers at (1) Montreal	Montreal > Washington
Fri., April 21	Game 5 – (WC2) Toronto at (1) Washington	Washington > New York
Sat., April 22	Game 6 – (1) Montreal at (WC1) N.Y. Rangers	New York > Boston
Sun., April 23	Game 6 – (2) Ottawa at (3) Boston	Boston > New York
Tues., April 25	Travel Day	New York > St. Louis
Wed., April 26	Game 1 – (WC2) Nashville at (3) St. Louis	St. Louis > Washington
Thur., April 27	Game 1 – (2) Pittsburgh at (1) Washington	Washington > St. Louis
Fri., April 28	Game 2 – (WC2) Nashville at (3) St. Louis	St. Louis > Washington
Sat., April 29	Game 2 – (2) Pittsburgh at (1) Washington	Washington > Nashville
Sun., April 30	Game 3 – (3) St. Louis at (WC2) Nashville	Nashville > Pittsburgh
Mon., May 1	Game 3 – (1) Washington at (2) Pittsburgh	Pittsburgh > New York
Tues., May 2	Game 3 – (2) Ottawa at (WC1) N.Y. Rangers	New York > Pittsburgh
Wed., May 3	Game 4 – (1) Washington at (2) Pittsburgh	Pittsburgh > New York
Thur., May 4	Game 4 – (2) Ottawa at (WC1) N.Y. Rangers	New York > TBA

 

NBCSPORTS.COM & NBC SPORTS APP

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream all Stanley Cup Playoff games to desktops, tablets, and connected TVs. The NBC Sports app will stream coverage via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to their subscription service, and making high-quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. Powered by Playmaker Media, the NBC Sports app is available on Apple iOS, Android and select Samsung devices, as well as on Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Win10, and Xbox.

 

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

More than 100 News and Tournament Hours Planned for Women’s and Men’s Championships, Back-to-Back Weeks at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill.

Two National Championships – Individual and Team – to be Decided Over a Three-Day Span at Both Women’s and Men’s Golf Championships

Golf Channel to Announce NCAA Division I Women’s and Men’s Golf Championships Selections on Thursday, April 27 and Thursday, May 4

Golf Channel Analyst and Northern Illinois Alum Mark Rolfing Joins NCAA Golf Championships Coverage as News Analyst

ORLANDO, Fla., April 26, 2017 – With conference championships underway, golf fans will be able to follow their favorite college golf programs and alma maters as they attempt to qualify and compete in the 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships in May when Golf Channel gears up its comprehensive on-air and digital collegiate golf coverage the next six weeks.

Beginning Thursday, April 27 at 11 am ET (women) and continuing Thursday, May 4 at Noon ET (men), Golf Channel will announce live the teams and individuals selected by the NCAA to participate in the women’s and men’s regional championships, the first step on the road to the NCAA Golf Championships.

Taking place at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill., May 19-31, the 2017 NCAA Women’s and Men’s Golf Championships will be contested in back-to-back weeks, with more than 100 hours of combined news and tournament coverage  on Golf Channel, as well as expanded coverage online via Golf Channel Digital and through the network’s social media channels.

“Now in the fourth year of our partnership, the NCAA and Golf Channel are successfully raising the profile of college golf by shining a spotlight on the game’s future stars and the passion these programs have in competing for national championships,” said Molly Solomon, Golf Channel executive producer. “Our viewers have been treated to some of the most dramatic and intense match-play competition the past few years, including the Oregon men and Washington women both needing extra holes in 2016 to win their first NCAA golf national championship in their school’s histories.”

REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS SELECTION ANNOUNCEMENTS: The men’s and women’s regional selection announcements will be made live on Golf Channel and feature live interviews and reaction from coaches and players:

• Women’s Golf Championships Regional Selections, Thursday, April 27, 11 a.m. ET: Morning Drive will announce (live) the 72 teams and 24 individuals selected to compete in the four NCAA Women’s Regional Championships, May 8-10 (18 teams and six individuals per regional). 24 teams and 12 individuals will advance from regional sites to the national championships.
• Men’s Golf Championships Regional Selections, Thursday, May 4, Noon ET: Golf Central will announce the 81 teams and 45 individuals selected to compete in the six NCAA Men’s Regional Championships, May 15-17 (13 teams and 10 individuals at three regionals and 14 teams and five individuals at three regionals). 30 teams and six individuals will advance from regional sites to the national championships.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS COVERAGE: Morning Drive and Golf Central will feature scores, highlights and analysis from the women’s regional sites (Monday-Wednesday, May 8-10) and the men’s regionals (Monday-Wednesday, May 15-17). Golf Channel Digital and will provide up-to-date scoring and news coverage of the regional championships.

NCAA GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS COVERAGE: Contested in back-to-back weeks, May 19-31, Golf Channel will dedicate its full suite of production resources to the NCAA Women’s and Men’s Golf Championships, featuring nearly 30 hours combined hours of live tournament coverage, as well as more than 50 hours of encores. In addition, Golf Central will feature nearly 30 hours of combined pre-and post-event live news coverage produced on location, as well as daily news updates on Morning Drive and Golf Channel Digital.

Hosted by Northern Illinois University at Rich Harvest Farms, the 2017 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships will feature teams and student-athletes who advanced from the NCAA Regional Championships. Competing in an individual stroke-play format over 72 holes Friday-Monday, the top eight teams will advance to the team match-play tournament Tuesday and Wednesday. Two national championships – individual and team – will be decided over each of the three days and the women’s and men’s championships.

Golf Channel’s live tournament coverage of the women’s championships will begin on Monday, May 22 to crown the individual national champion, as well as to track the teams attempting to qualify for the eight-team match-play tournament. Golf Channel’s coverage also will include all three rounds of the team match-play tournament on Tuesday, May 23 and Wednesday, May 24. The same television coverage is planned for the men’s national championships the following week: Monday, May 29-Wednesday, May 31.

Golf Channel NCAA Women’s Golf Championships Coverage
Monday, May 22        Individual National Championship     4-8 p.m. ET (Live)
Tuesday, May 23        Quarterfinals, Team Match Play         11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. ET (Live)
Tuesday, May 23        Semifinals, Team Match Play              4-8 p.m. ET (Live)
Wednesday, May 24   Team National Championship            4-8 p.m. ET (Live)

Golf Channel NCAA Men’s Golf Championships Coverage
Monday, May 29        Individual National Championship     4-8 p.m. ET (Live)
Tuesday, May 30        Quarterfinals, Team Match Play         11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. ET (Live)
Tuesday, May 30        Semifinals, Team Match Play 4-8 p.m. ET (Live)
Wednesday, May 31   Team National Championship 4-8 p.m. ET (Live)

GOLF CHANNEL ANALYST MARK ROLFING JOINS NCAA COVERAGE AS NEWS ANALYST
Northern Illinois alumnus and Golf Channel/NBC Sports analyst Mark Rolfing will join Golf Channel’s on-site news coverage for the NCAA Men’s Golf Championships. Rolfing, a native of DeKalb, Ill., who competed collegiately at DePauw University in Indiana, will contribute to both Morning Drive and Golf Central during the men’s championships.

COLLEGE CENTRAL – GOLF CHANNEL DIGITAL COVERAGE: Golf Channel is providing comprehensive coverage leading up to and during the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships as part of College Central, Golf Channel Digital’s home for college golf. Led by Jay Coffin, Ryan Lavner and Steve Burkowski, College Central will be the source for all things college golf, including tournament results and scores, features and columns, video highlights and breaking news.

NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS FEATURES: Over the next six weeks, Golf Channel will integrate several high-quality features and unique stories on teams and players leading up to the NCAA Golf Championships. Scheduled features include:

• 2016 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship Remarkable Finish – A look back at the dramatic finishing holes between 2015 national champion Stanford Cardinal and the Washington Huskies to decide the 2016 team national championship, where Washington needed extra holes to claim their first championship in school history.
• Not Just NCAA Student Athletes, Now Olympians – Duke’s Leona Maguire, Stanford’s Albane Valenzuela and USC’s Tiffany Chan represented their countries at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Golf Channel will share experiences the players had competing for their respective countries when golf returned as an Olympic sport.
• Hometown Oregon defeats Texas for the 2016 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship – The University of Oregon, playing on its home course at Eugene Country Club, swept the 2016 NCAA titles, with Aaron Wise winning the individual national championship and the Ducks needing extra holes to defeat Texas to win its first team national championship.
• Top-Ranked University of Southern California Men’s Golf Team – The USC Trojans capped their 2016-17 season with four wins, highlighted by the 18-stroke win at the Western Intercollegiate to conclude their regular season. Golf Channel will take a look at the unique personalities that make up this veteran team heading into the NCAA Golf Championships.
• Player Profiles: Illinois’ Dylan Meyer, Oregon’s Wyndham Clark, Stanford’s Maverick McNealy – Golf Channel will profile three of the top men’s collegiate golfers in the country – Illinois junior Dylan Meyer, Oregon senior Wyndham Clark and Stanford senior Maverick McNealy.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS NEWS COVERAGE: Golf Channel will cover the conference championships with scores and analysis across its on-air news platforms – Morning Drive and Golf Central – and online within College Central.

ABOUT THE NCAA
The NCAA is a diverse association of more than 1,100 member colleges and universities that prioritize academics, well-being and fairness to create greater opportunities for nearly a half a million student-athletes each year. The NCAA provides a pathway to higher education and beyond for student-athletes pursuing academic goals and competing in NCAA sports. More than 54,000 student-athletes experience the pinnacle of intercollegiate athletics by competing in NCAA championships each year. Visit www.ncaa.org and www.ncaa.com for more details about the Association and the corporate partnerships that support the NCAA and its student-athletes.

ABOUT GOLF CHANNEL
Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. Serving the most-affluent audience in all of television, Golf Channel – co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and now part of NBC Sports Group – is available to nearly 500 million viewers in 78 countries and nine languages around the world. Golf Channel features more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, including tournament action from the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, The Open, Olympics, and Ryder Cup, as well as high-quality news, instruction and original programming. Delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf, fans are able to enjoy 24/7 live streaming of Golf Channel content through Golf Channel Digital and the NBC Sports App, powered by Playmaker Media. In addition, Golf Channel connects the world to golf through a wide array of digital and lifestyle services including Golf Channel Mobile, a comprehensive app covering golf’s latest headlines, scores and analysis; GolfNow, the world’s largest online tee time booking platform and golf course technology partner, which includes the GolfNow Mobile App, featuring on-course GPS tracking, in-round scoring and game tracking; GolfAdvisor.com, the world’s largest golf course ratings and review resource for golfers, by golfers; a North American network of Golf Channel Academy instructional facilities; and Golf Channel Am Tour, the world’s largest amateur golf tour.

-NBC Sports Group-

 “Dale Earnhardt Jr. knows that he can impact this sport in a lot of ways other than just driving a race car.” – Jeff Burton

 

“I don’t know if anyone has been through more than Dale Jr. If he were my son, I would be extremely proud of him.” – Dale Jarrett

 

“I was hoping he wouldn’t come back after all the trouble he had last year.” – Richard Petty

 

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 25, 2017 – Following are highlights from tonight’s edition of NASCAR America on NBCSN, which included in-depth analysis and discussion about Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s decision to retire following the conclusion of the 2017 NASCAR season.

 

Earnhardt’s former crew chief Steve Letarte (@SteveLetarte), Hall of Fame driver Dale Jarrett (@DaleJarrett), “The Mayor” of NASCAR Jeff Burton (@JeffBurton), and auto racing icon Kyle Petty (@KylePetty) shared their thoughts on the announcement and Earnhardt’s impact on the sport. “The King” of NASCAR Richard Petty, and NASCAR America’s recurring guest analyst Greg Biffle (@gbiffle) also joined tonight’s show and shared sentiments about Earnhardt’s more than 600 races behind the wheel.

 

Following are highlights from this evening’s show:

 

Kyle Petty on Dale Jr.’s announcement: “I’m always sad when a driver retires. When you are a little boy and you go to sleep at night, you dream about holding on to that steering wheel and winning the Daytona 500. We witnessed a guy today start to put that dream in a box. I watched my dad go through it. I’ve watched a lot of drivers go through it. I went through it. He will always be a part of the sport, but the dream is being put in a box.”

 

Jarrett on Dale Jr. as a man: “I left Dale Jr. a voicemail earlier today, telling him that I was very proud of what he has done for this sport, the man that he has become, and that his dad would be very proud. I don’t know if anyone has been through more than Dale Jr. The expectations that were put on him from the very beginning by being Dale Jr., and then having everything thrust upon him after his dad’s death in 2001. All of a sudden the weight of a sport was thrown onto his shoulders. None of it he was asking for. All he wanted to do was drive a race car, and have the opportunity to show what he could do. If he were my son, I would be extremely proud of him.”

 

Richard Petty on Dale Jr.’s decision to retire: “I was hoping he wouldn’t come back after having all the trouble he had last year. I realize how hard it is to get out of the race car, because that is what we do for so long and enjoy so much. Whether you win or lose, its hard to give up. I’m glad he went along and made the decision.”

 

Burton on Dale Jr.’s impact outside the race car: “Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a passion for the sport. There is no question about it. He knows that he can impact this sport in a lot of ways other than just driving a race car. His team ownership at the XFINITY level is of huge importance to NASCAR and the development of young drivers. You look at what he is doing with William Byron, and what he has done with Elliott Sadler. It’s so important for the XFINITY series to be healthy. So as a car owner, having Dale Jr. be involved is huge.”

 

Kyle Petty: “I think it is part of the cycle of the sport. We see Champions, and most popular drivers, and race winners, but eventually they all retire. That’s just part of the sport, and eventually their place is taken by younger drivers. Dale Jr. took someone’s place at some point in time, so did Greg Biffle, and so did I. Now it’s time for some other driver to come along.”

 

Burton: “He will continue to be an influence on the sport. He’s greatly respected in the sport. Trust me, if he calls, Mike Helton is going to answer whether Dale Jr. is driving a race car or not. He will continue to be an influence in the sport, because he has passion for it. That’s not going to go away just because he’s not driving.”

 

Letarte on future candidates for the No. 88: “I see Rick Hendrick going young. I do not think William Byron is the answer in 2018. I think Hendrick understands that drivers need to mature. We have already seen the struggle of Daniel Suárez this season, who is the XFINITY Champion, perhaps getting moved up a little too quickly. I think that can be a detriment to a driver’s career. I have Alex Bowman circled on a piece of paper. I think Bowman is the perfect guy. I don’t mean a five year contract, maybe a one or a two-year deal.”

 

Biffle on Dale Jr.’s influence: “Look at the marks Dale Jr. left on the sport. The change in the concussion protocol would not have happened without Dale Jr. and the decision he had to make to get healthy again and get back in the car. The awareness and the marks he has left on this sport are going to benefit the young drivers that are in these cars today.”

 

Letarte on the timing of Dale Jr.’s announcement: “I think the timing is clear. It needed to be done. Rick Hendrick and Dale Jr. sat on the info for a month. It gets to a point where you have to move forward with sponsor and driver discussions. I think the timing actually shows Hendrick and Dale Jr.’s commitment to the fans. The fact that they did not want the info leaked, and Dale Jr. wanted to speak to everyone from the heart shows his commitment.”

 

NASCAR ON NBC

 

In 2017, NBC Sports Group will present the final 20 NASCAR Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR XFINITY Series events and select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events.

 

NBC Sports Group’s NASCAR programming also includes NBCSN’s daily motorsports show NASCAR America, coverage of NASCAR’s Awards Ceremonies, the annual NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony, as well as original programming specials. NBC Sports Group concluded the 2016 NASCAR season presenting more hours of trackside coverage and programming than ever before.

 

In 2016, NBC Sports Group continued to innovate and entertain race fans with 630 hours of NASCAR programming including interactive watch parties, documentary specials and new shoulder programming, in addition to its 366 live trackside hours from 22 different states. In 2016 overall consumption of NASCAR content on NBC Sports’ Digital properties was up 50% vs. 2015 and NASCAR on NBC’s social platforms generated a triple-digit increase in video views, as well as double-digit increase in fan base and impressions compared to the 2015 season.

 

–NASCAR ON NBC–

PGA TOUR Staging Innovative Two-Man Team Format at Zurich Classic of
New Orleans, Led By Duos of Day/Fowler, Rose/Stenson & Berger/Pieters 

Ko, Leads Field That Will Feature Entire Top-20 of Current Rolex Women’s
World Rankings Competing at Volunteers of America Texas Shootout 

Li Defends at European Tour’s Volvo China Open in Beijing

ORLANDO, Fla. (April 25, 2017) – The PGA TOUR moves to Louisiana this week to unveil an exciting new format at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. 80 two-man teams will compete in a 72-hole event that will feature a stroke play, alternate shot format in the first and third rounds, and a better ball format in the second and final rounds. Notable duos in the field include Jason Day/Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose/Henrik Stenson, Daniel Berger/Thomas Pieters and Ryan Palmer/Jordan Spieth. The LPGA Tour this week boasts a field that includes the entire top-20 in the current Rolex Women’s World Rankings, all convening at the Volunteers of American Texas Shootout. World No. 1 Lydia Ko will make her first start since it was announced that she would team up with Peter Godfrey as her new caddie, and Lexi Thompson is set to return for the first time since finishing runner-up at the ANA Inspiration in April. The European Tour will stage the Volvo China Open in Beijing, as Haotong Li is set to defend his 2016 title.

PGA TOUR

Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Dates: April 27-30
Venue: TPC Louisiana, Avondale, La. 

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):
Thursday         3:30-6:30 p.m. (Live) / 7:30-10:30 p.m. (Replay)
Friday              3:30-6:30 p.m. (Live) / 7:30-10:30 p.m. (Replay)
Saturday          1-2:30 p.m. (Live) / 7-11:30 p.m. (Replay)
Sunday            1-2:30 p.m. (Live) / 7-11:30 p.m. (Replay)

Golf Central (On-Site) Pre and Post Round Coverage on Golf Channel (Eastern):
Thursday         3-3:30 p.m. (Live) / 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Live)
Friday              3-3:30 p.m. (Live) / 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Live)
Saturday          Noon-1 p.m. (Live) / 2:30-3 p.m. (Live) / 6-7 p.m. (Live)
Sunday            Noon-1 p.m. (Live) / 2:30-3 p.m. (Live) / 6-7 p.m. (Live)

Broadcast Notes:
Event adopts new team format: The field consists of 160 players competing as 80 two-man teams. The format features a stroke play, alternate shot format in the first and third rounds, and a better ball format in the second and final rounds, with the low 35 teams (and ties) making the 36-hole cut. Both players from the winning team will be credited with an official PGA TOUR victory and receive the normal two-year exemption on TOUR, though there will be no world ranking points allotted for those competing in the event.
Golf Central on-site Thursday-Sunday: Originating from on-site at TPC Louisiana, Golf Central will provide the latest news and storylines beginning Thursday and continuing through Sunday’s final round. Cara Robinson will host, while Brandel Chamblee and David Duval will offer analysis, and Heather Cox will provide reports and conduct interviews with players in the field.
Notable Teams: Jason Day/Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose/Henrik Stenson, Branden Grace/Louis Oosthuizen, Ryan Palmer/Jordan Spieth, Daniel Berger/Thomas Pieters, J.B. Holmes/Bubba Watson, Kevin Chappell/Gary Woodland, Bud Cauley/Justin Thomas, Steve Stricker/Jerry Kelly, Brooks Koepka/Chase Koepka and Patrick Cantlay/Patrick Reed.     

Golf Channel Broadcast Team:
Play by Play: Rich Lerner
Analyst: Frank Nobilo
Tower: Curt Byrum / Craig Perks
On-Course: Arron Oberholser

Golf Central Broadcast Team:
Host: Cara Robinson
Analyst: Brandel Chamblee / David Duval
Reporter: Heather Cox

LPGA TOUR

Volunteers of America Texas Shootout
Dates: April 27-30
Venue: Las Colinas Country Club, Irving, Texas 

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):
Thursday         Noon-3 p.m. (Live)
Friday              Noon-3 p.m. (Live) / 1:30-3:30 a.m. (Saturday replay)
Saturday          3-6 p.m. (Live) / 4-6 a.m. (Sunday replay)
Sunday            3-6 p.m. (Live) / 4-6 a.m. (Monday replay)

Broadcast Notes:
Ko leads elite field that includes entire top-20 of current Rolex Women’s World Rankings: World No. 1 Lydia Ko leads a stout field that will feature the entire top-20 in the current Rolex Women’s World Rankings. Lexi Thompson is among those in the field, as she is scheduled to make her first start since finishing runner-up at the ANA Inspiration in April.
Format: This week’s shootout format is unique in that there is a cut to low 70 and ties after 36 holes and then an additional cut to low 50 and ties after 54 holes.
Korda to be profiled in “Rookie Spotlight” during Friday’s second round coverage: LPGA Tour rookie Nelly Korda (sister of LPGA Tour winner Jessica Korda) will be showcased during Friday’s second round coverage as part of Golf Channel’s “Rookie Spotlight” feature.
Shin defends: Jenny Shin finished two shots ahead of Amy Yang, Gerina Piller and Mi Jung Hur to claim her first LPGA Tour victory.
Headlining the field: Lydia Ko, So Yeon Ryu, Ariya Jutanugarn, In Gee Chun, Lexi Thompson, Shanshan Feng, Inbee Park, Ha Na Jang, Amy Yang, Anna Nordqvist, Michelle Wie and Brooke Henderson. 

Golf Channel Broadcast Team:
Play by Play: Steve Sands
Analyst: Judy Rankin
Tower: Tom Abbott
On-Course: Jerry Foltz / Kay Cockerill

EUROPEAN TOUR

Volvo China Open
Dates: April 27-30
Venue: Topwin Golf & Country Club, Beijing, China 

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):
Thursday         10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. (Live, Wednesday overnight) / 2:30-5:30 a.m. (Live)
Friday              10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. (Live, Thursday overnight) / 2:30-5:30 a.m. (Live)
Saturday          6-10 a.m. (Tape delay)
Sunday            6-10 a.m. (Tape delay)

Broadcast Notes:
Li defends: Haotong Li finished three strokes ahead of Felipe Aguilar to earn his first European Tour win.
Headlining the field: Ross Fisher, Bernd Wiesberger, Thongchai Jaidee, Thorbjorn Olesen, Edoardo Molinari, Thomas Bjorn, Y.E. Yang, Chris Wood, Haotong Li and Jeunghun Wang.

Golf Channel Broadcast Team:
Play by Play: Dougie Donnelly
Analyst: Dom Boulet / Jamie Spence
On-Course: Jay Townsend

-NBC Sports Group-