Sports Media News

Keeping Up With All The Industry Press Releases

Archives for January 2019

ESPN Super Bowl LIII Coverage Continues Friday from Atlanta with Drew Brees, Patrick Mahomes and Other Top Guests

By

ESPN’s coverage of Super Bowl LIII continues Friday from Atlanta with live television and radio shows – NFL Live, First Take, Golic and Wingo, Stephen A. Smith Show – and SportsCenter segments. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, the NFL’s all-time leading passer, will debate the day’s hot topics in the NFL when he joins host Molly Qerim Rose and commentators Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman on ESPN First Take. Later on his radio show, Smith will host Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice on The Stephen A. Smith Show (ESPN Radio, 1-3 p.m. ET).

The post ESPN Super Bowl LIII Coverage Continues Friday from Atlanta with Drew Brees, Patrick Mahomes and Other Top Guests appeared first on ESPN MediaZone U.S..

SPORTSENGINE LAUNCHES NEW REGISTRATION SYSTEM FOR ONTARIO SOCCER

By

The member management system will provide a new way for Ontario Soccer to interact, manage, and engage with member clubs, academies, and districts.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN / January 31, 2019 – SportsEngine Inc., an NBC Sports Group company and the leading youth sports technology provider, announces that it has launched a new registration management system for Ontario Soccer to provide added benefits to their long term partnership.

The launch of their new registration system, Ontario Soccer Club and Academy Registry (OSCAR), will help districts, clubs, and academies within Ontario Soccer streamline the process of submitting registration data for approval and allow real-time access to the critical data organizations need to run their operations efficiently and effectively.

“This is a big step for our soccer membership and infrastructure in Ontario. By bringing together the registration data of participants across the province, whether community club or private academy, we have, for the first time, real-time data reporting to a centralized location,” said Johnny Misley, Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Soccer. “The challenge for Ontario previously had been that Clubs and Academies were utilizing a number of different technology solutions to run their organizations. OSCAR now allows Ontario Soccer and its Districts to connect with its members directly in an ever-changing sport environment.”

Ontario Soccer members will experience a brand new system that will transform the way they interact with Ontario Soccer. OSCAR will help clubs and academies not only get their players registered for the season but will also allow them to send that data up to their district for approval and get real-time access to reporting, which improves an outdated paper submission process.

“Over our long-term partnership with Ontario Soccer we realized that the organization’s registration system wouldn’t work with a one-size fits all approach,” said Lee Zukor, SVP of Product and Engineering, SportsEngine. “Working hand-in-hand with Ontario Soccer and their districts, we were able to create a leading-edge management system that sets both parties up for ongoing success. We’re excited to continue innovating together.”

More than 1 million teams, leagues and clubs use SportsEngine to run their websites, tournaments, leagues, online registration and mobile apps. Through these applications, sports teams, clubs and leagues are able to drastically reduce the time they spend on administration and communication, allowing them to focus more time on developing their athletes. United Soccer Coaches joins the SportsEngine enterprise roster of clients which includes other professional league partners and national governing bodies.

###

About SportsEngine

Helping the world play smarter and live more, SportsEngine, Inc., an NBC Sports Group company, is the leading software provider of sport life management solutions for 35MM coaches, parents, athletes, and sport relationship management applications for more than 1MM clubs, leagues, governing bodies, and associations. SportsEngine helps sports organizations around the globe reduce the time they spend on administrative tasks, and enables them to focus more on developing their athletes, providing safe experiences, and furthering the love of sport. Learn more at: http://www.sportsengine.com, Facebook.com/sportsengine; or twitter.com/@sportsengine.

About Ontario Soccer

Founded in 1901, Ontario Soccer is comprised of more than 650 Clubs and Private Academies servicing over 24,000 teams with 380,000 registered players, 70,000 coaches and managers, and 10,000 match officials, as well as countless volunteers, parents and supporters comprising a direct, multi-cultural community of over 1,000,000 Ontarians.

Media Contact:

Jenna Soule

Director of Integrated Marketing and Communications

Phone: 612.799.3542

Email: press@sportsengine.com

 

ESPN’s Postseason NFL Countdown Previews SB LIII on Super Bowl Sunday

By

ESPN will preview Super Bowl LIII with a special four-hour edition of Postseason NFL Countdown on Sunday, Feb. 3, beginning at 10 a.m. ET, from two primary set locations in Atlanta – Mercedes Benz Stadium and at Centennial Olympic Park. Suzy Kolber will host from the stadium with Steve Young, Louis Riddick, guest analyst Greg Olsen – returning to the show for the second straight Super Bowl, and NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. Sam Ponder will co-host the program with analysts Matt Hasselbeck, Randy Moss, Rex Ryan and Charles Woodson from Centennial Olympic Park.

The post ESPN’s <i>Postseason NFL Countdown</i> Previews SB LIII on Super Bowl Sunday appeared first on ESPN MediaZone U.S..

“SUPER” FOOTBALL SUNDAY STARTS EARLY ON FEB. 3, AS 2nd-PLACE MANCHESTER CITY FACE 4th-PLACE ARSENAL LIVE AT 11:30AM ET ON NBCSN & TELEMUNDO

By

Live Match Coverage Begins Saturday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN & Universo With Tottenham v. Newcastle

Cardiff City Host Bournemouth on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC

Four Exclusive Matches on NBC Sports Gold’s “Premier League Pass” this Weekend; Available for Rest of Season at Reduced Price of $24.99

New Episode of THE MEN IN BLAZERS SHOW Monday, Feb. 4 at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, Featuring Netflix Host Hasan Minhaj

STAMFORD, Conn. – January 31, 2019 – 2nd-place Manchester City host 4th-place Arsenal in a “Super” showdown this Sunday, Feb. 3 at 11:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN and Telemundo, highlighting NBC Sports’ Premier League coverage this weekend. Manchester City aim to collect three important points in the title race after a tough 2-1 loss to Newcastle, while Arsenal look to solidify their spot in the top-4. Arlo White calls the match, joined by analysts Lee Dixon and Graeme Le Saux.

This weekend’s live TV coverage begins Saturday, Feb. 2 at 7 a.m. ET with Premier League Mornings, followed by 3rd-place Tottenham v. Newcastle at 7:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN and Universo. Sitting two points behind Manchester City, Tottenham look to close the gap at the top of the table, while Newcastle aim for their second straight upset after an impressive win over Manchester City earlier this week.

The NBCSN doubleheader continues at 10 a.m. ET when 5th-place Chelsea host Huddersfield Town at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea look to bounce back after a 4-0 loss at Bournemouth, while Huddersfield Town face the pressure of impending relegation.

Also at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, NBC Sports Gold presents four exclusive matches: Brighton & Hove Albion v. Watford, Burnley v. Southampton, Crystal Palace v. Fulham, and Everton v. Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Fans can purchase the remainder of the 2018-19 season of “Premier League Pass” at a reduced price of $24.99 on NBCSportsGold.com. “Premier League Pass” will feature more than 1,000 hours of additional Premier League programs and new shows throughout the season. Fans can purchase the discounted pass here.

Saturday’s match coverage concludes with Cardiff City v. Bournemouth at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Cardiff City are in search of crucial points in their quest to avoid relegation, while Joshua King and Bournemouth come off a 4-0 rout of Chelsea. White calls the match, joined by Le Saux.

Then on Sunday, it’s a “Super Day of Football” on NBCSN beginning with Leicester City v. Manchester United at 9:05 a.m. ET on NBCSN and Telemundo, followed by Manchester City-Arsenal. Manchester United’s perfect record under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ended this week after a 2-2 draw with Burnley, while Leicester City also come off a draw with 1st-place Liverpool.

Sunday’s “super” day of match coverage begins with Leicester City v. Manchester United at 9:05 a.m. ET on NBCSN and Telemundo. Manchester United’s perfect record under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ended this week after a 2-2 draw with Burnley, while Leicester City also come off a draw with 1st-place Liverpool.

Monday’s coverage begins with Premier League Live at 2 p.m. ET on NBCSN, followed by West Ham v. 1st-place Liverpool. West Ham come off a tough 3-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Liverpool continue their hunt for a first ever Premier League title.

Rebecca Lowe hosts Premier League Mornings, Premier League Live, and Goal Zone, joined by former U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Kyle Martino and former Premier League footballer Robbie Mustoe.

Following Monday’s match coverage, NBCSN presents a new episode of THE MEN IN BLAZERS SHOW hosted by popular soccer personalities Michael Davies and Roger Bennett at 5:30 p.m. ET. This week’s episode features host of Netflix’s “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj,” Hasan Minhaj.

PREMIER LEAGUE PICK ‘EM

NBC Sports’ Premier League Pick ‘Em is the first game from the new, free-to-play NBC Sports Predictor games app. The app, developed with Boom Fantasy, is available in the App Store and Google Play Store, and will give eligible fans the chance to win hundreds of thousands of dollars in prizes over the next year. Each match week, Premier League Pick ‘Em will feature at least $5,000 in weekly prizes, with a $50,000 grand prize for a “perfect week” – picking the correct scores of all five Premier League matches in that match week’s competition (information on scoring, prizing, and Official Rules here).

Matches in Play for Premier League Pick ‘Em this Weekend:

Match Week 25

Date Time (ET) Match
Sat., Feb. 2 10 a.m. – NBCSN Chelsea v. Huddersfield Town
Sat., Feb. 2 12:30 p.m. – NBC Cardiff City v. Bournemouth
Sun., Feb. 3 9:05 a.m. – NBCSN Leicester City v. Manchester United
Sun., Feb. 3 11:30 a.m. – NBCSN Manchester City v. Arsenal
Mon., Feb. 4 3 p.m. – NBCSN West Ham v. Liverpool

 

NBC Sports Gold – NBC Sports Digital’s direct-to-consumer live streaming product – “Premier League Pass” features 150 exclusive Premier League matches live and on-demand, an extensive suite of daily and weekly news shows, plus classic archive programming never available before in the U.S. “Premier League Pass” features more than 1,000 hours of additional non-match content throughout the season. Click here for more information.

NBC Sports Gold is available on Apple iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast and online at NBCSportsGold.com. NBC Sports Gold is powered by Playmaker Media, NBC Sports Digital’s technology service which provides end-to-end support for companies in need of best-in-class live streaming and VOD solutions.

Premier League games on NBC and NBCSN will be streamed on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs. Coverage will be streamed via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The NBC Sports app is powered by Playmaker Media and available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV and Amazon Fire.

Following is the match schedule for this week’s Premier League coverage (all times ET, subject to change):

Date Time (ET) Match Platform
Sat., Feb. 2 7 a.m. Premier League Mornings NBCSN
Sat., Feb. 2 7:30 a.m. Tottenham v. Newcastle NBCSN, Universo
Sat., Feb. 2 10 a.m. Chelsea v. Huddersfield Town NBCSN, Universo
Sat., Feb. 2 10 a.m. Brighton & Hove Albion v. Watford NBC Sports Gold
Sat., Feb. 2 10 a.m. Burnley v. Southampton NBC Sports Gold
Sat., Feb. 2 10 a.m. Crystal Palace v. Fulham NBC Sports Gold
Sat., Feb. 2 10 a.m. Everton v. Wolverhampton Wanderers NBC Sports Gold
Sat., Feb. 2 10 a.m. Goal Rush  NBC Sports Gold
Sat., Feb. 2 12:30 p.m. Cardiff City v. Bournemouth NBC
Sat., Feb. 2 2:30 p.m. Goal Zone NBC
Sun., Feb. 3 6 a.m. Match of the Day NBCSN
Sun., Feb. 3 8 a.m. Premier League Mornings NBCSN
Sun., Feb. 3 9:05 a.m. Leicester City v. Manchester United NBCSN, Telemundo
Sun., Feb. 3 11:30 a.m. Manchester City v. Arsenal NBCSN, Telemundo
Sun., Feb. 3 1:30 p.m. Goal Zone NBCSN
Mon., Feb. 4 12 p.m. Match of the Week NBCSN
Mon., Feb. 4 2 p.m. Premier League Live NBCSN
Mon., Feb. 4 3 p.m. West Ham v. Liverpool NBCSN, Universo
Mon., Feb. 4 5 p.m. Goal Zone NBCSN
Mon., Feb. 4 5:30 p.m. THE MEN IN BLAZERS SHOW NBCSN

– NBC Sports –

NBCSN PRESENTS 2019 NASCAR HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1 AT 8 P.M. ET

By

10th Annual Hall of Fame Ceremony Honors NASCAR Legends Jeff Gordon, Jack Roush, Roger Penske, Davey Allison, and Alan Kulwicki

Hall of Fame Show Open Narrated by Iconic NASCAR Broadcaster Ken Squier

NASCAR America Returns Monday, February 11 at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN 

STAMFORD, Conn. – January 31, 2019 – NBCSN will present live coverage of the 2019 NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony this Friday, February 1, at 8 p.m. ET. The two-hour special will celebrate the 10th annual NASCAR Hall of Fame class, featuring five NASCAR legends who have shown immense commitment to the sport.

The Class of 2019 includes four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon; Daytona 500 champion and beloved fan favorite Davey Allison; NASCAR Cup Series champion driver/owner and one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers Alan Kulwicki; NASCAR’s winningest car owner & five-time NASCAR national series champion owner Jack Roush; and “The Captain” Roger Penske, whose race teams have won more than 500 major motorsports events. 

In addition, the ceremony will recognize executive Jim Hunter, with the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR, as well as longtime motorsports reporter and publisher Steve Waid, with the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence.

NBC Sports Group’s Krista Voda and Rutledge Wood will co-host Friday’s ceremony from the Crown Ballroom at the Charlotte Convention Center, in Charlotte, N.C. NASCAR on NBCSN reporter Marty Snider will provide interviews with drivers and owners in attendance. NBCSN’s 2019 Hall of Fame telecast will also feature a special show open narrated by iconic NASCAR broadcaster and Hall of Fame Class of 2018 member Ken Squier.

NASCAR AMERICA RETURNS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11 AT 5 P.M. ET ON NBCSN 

NASCAR America, NBCSN’s daily motorsports show dedicated to speed and stock car racing, returns for its sixth season on Monday, February 11 at 5 p.m. ET.

NASCAR ON NBC 

NBC Sports Group returns for its fifth season of NASCAR on NBC coverage beginning Sunday, June 30 from Chicagoland Speedway.

The official home of the NASCAR Playoffs, NBC Sports Group will present the final 20 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, and select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events in 2019. 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– 

Alex Rozis

203-356-2785

alex.rozis@nbcuni.com

Super Saturday: Top Rank on ESPN to Feature THREE World Title Fights Across ESPN and ESPN+

By

Top Rank on ESPN is bringing a fistic extravaganza to Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, Feb. 2 with three world title fights, the return of 2018 ESPN “Prospect of the Year” Teofimo Lopez, and an action-packed undercard spread across ESPN/ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.

The post Super Saturday: Top Rank on ESPN to Feature THREE World Title Fights Across ESPN and ESPN+ appeared first on ESPN MediaZone U.S..

UFC Fight Night on ESPN+ Returns with Moraes v. Assuncao 2, Aldo v. Moicano

By

UFC Fight Night on ESPN+ returns after a record-setting debut on January 19, featuring a main event bantamweight rematch between Marlon Moraes and Raphael Assuncao, with the winner in prime position for a possible title shot against UFC bantamweight Champion TJ Dillashaw.

The post UFC Fight Night on ESPN+ Returns with Moraes v. Assuncao 2, Aldo v. Moicano appeared first on ESPN MediaZone U.S..

NBC SPORTS BEGINS COVERAGE OF 2019 GUINNESS SIX NATIONS RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP THIS WEEKEND

By

Coverage of the Annual Guinness Six Nations Championship Begins Friday at 3 p.m. ET Live on NBCSN with France v. Wales

Saturday Doubleheader on NBCSN – Scotland v. Italy at 12:30 p.m., Followed by Defending Champions Ireland Facing England at 2:30 p.m. ET

All Matches Live on NBC Sports Gold – NBC Sports Digital’s Direct-to-Consumer Live Streaming Product

STAMFORD, Conn. – January 30, 2019 – NBC Sports begins its annual coverage of the 2019 Guinness Six Nations Championship, the world’s oldest rugby championship, this weekend with Round One matches, beginning Friday live at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN when France faces Wales.

Round One coverage continues with a Saturday doubleheader starting with Scotland-Italy at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, followed by defending champions Ireland taking on England at 2:30 p.m. ET.

The annual tournament, which has roots that date back more than a century, consists of 15 matches played in a round-robin format between six teams – England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. All matches will stream live, commercial-free and on-demand on NBC Sports Gold – NBC Sports Digital’s direct-to-consumer live streaming product. NBC, NBCSN, and CNBC will combine to present linear coverage. Click here for more information on Six Nations coverage on NBC Sports Gold.

Leigh Diffey will anchor this weekend’s coverage on NBCSN alongside analysts Alex Corbisiero and Dan Lyle.

NBC Sports’ Six Nations coverage enhances its already robust slate of rugby properties, which includes exclusive Olympic rugby coverage through 2032, the Rugby World Cup (both 7’s & 15’s) through 2023, Premiership Rugby, and Champions Cup Rugby.

FRANCE V. WALES – FRIDAY 3 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

The Welsh – winners of four Six Nations Championships since 2000 – look to improve upon a second-place finish in 2018, and are led by Alun Wyn Jones, who boasts a team-high 48 career Six Nations Championship caps. France aims to secure its 18th outright title and sixth Six Nations Championship, but has not finished in the top two of the tournament since 2011. Morgan Parra is the club’s most experienced member, leading the squad in caps (31) and points (158). Wales edged out France, 14-13, in last year’s Six Nations meeting.

SCOTLAND V. ITALY – SATURDAY 12:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

Scotland, which finished third in last year’s Six Nations Championship, is in search of its first title since 1999, when the tournament was still the Five Nations Championship. Two-time Player of the Championship Stuart Hogg and Greig Laidlaw lead Scotland. Italy will make its 20th Six Nations tournament appearance and looks to make its first top-three finish in the standings, following its third consecutive sixth-place finish last year. Last year, Scotland defeated Italy in the Six Nations by a score of 29-27.

IRELAND V. ENGLAND – SATURDAY AT 2:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

Ireland and England have combined to win the last five Six Nations titles. Ireland won the 2018 Six Nations Championship in dominant fashion, capturing a Grand Slam title (winning all five matches) and a Triple Crown (defeating the other three “home nations”). Ireland is led by 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year Johnny Sexton and 2018 World Rugby Coach of the Year Joe Schmidt. England will look to rebound from a fifth-place finish in last year’s Six Nations Championship, which came on the heels of back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017. 2017 European Player of the Year Owen Farrell, who has 29 career caps in his Six Nations Championship career and currently plays for Premiership side Saracens, will serve as England’s captain. Last year, Ireland defeated England, 24-15.

 

Following is this weekend’s slate of Guinness Six Nations Championship matches on NBC Sports Gold and NBCSN. Click here for more information.

 

Date Match Time (ET) Network
Fri., Feb. 1 France v. Wales 3 p.m. NBCSN & NBC Sports Gold
Sat., Feb. 2 Scotland v. Italy 9:15 a.m. NBC Sports Gold
Scotland v. Italy* 12:30 p.m. NBCSN
Ireland v. England 11:45 a.m. NBC Sports Gold
Ireland v. England* 2:30 p.m. NBCSN

*Same-day delay


ABOUT SIX NATIONS RUGBY

The Six Nations Championship is held annually in February and March in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy. Since 2003, Average TV viewing of the Six Nations has increased by over 30% across the core six territories (now over 125 million TV viewers annually). The Six Nations Championship is broadcast in over 180 countries globally, and over 1 million people attend the 15 games of the Championship annually.


ABOUT NBC SPORTS GOLD

NBC Sports Gold is NBC Sports’ direct-to-consumer live streaming product that provides sports fans with access to exclusive premium sports events and content, live and on-demand, at an affordable price. Launched in 2016 with a single cycling product, NBC Sports Gold currently offers 13 individual sports “passes” – eight domestic (PGA TOUR LIVE, Premier League, Cycling, Track & Field, Speed Skating, Rugby, Supercross, and Snow, consisting of seven Winter Olympic sports); two regional (Blazers and Philly); one international (Notre Dame Football); and two domestic and international (Figure Skating and Pro Motocross). In 2019, NBC Sports Gold will add INDYCAR and lacrosse. Among the premium events and content offered by NBC Sports Gold are 28 PGA TOUR events, including THE PLAYERS and FedExCup Playoffs; 150 Premier League matches; the Tour de France and many more prominent cycling races; USA Track & Field and IAAF Diamond League events; domestic and international figure skating competitions; every Gallagher Premiership Rugby match; the entire 2018 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship season; 700+ hours of seven Winter Olympic sports; and all Notre Dame Football home games for international fans.

-NBC SPORTS –