Sports Media News

Keeping Up With All The Industry Press Releases

NBC SPORTS PRESENTS THE RETURN OF THE 2020 MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS SEASON LIVE THIS SUNDAY ON NBC AND NBCSN AT 3 P.M. ET

By Leave a Comment

Coverage on NBCSN Begins at 3 p.m. ET, Continues on NBC at 4 p.m. ET

Final Seven Events of 2020 Supercross Season to be Held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah

Live Streaming Coverage Begins Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Gold‘s “Supercross Pass”

Ralph Sheheen, Ricky Carmichael, Daniel Blair and Will Christien Will Call the Action

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 28, 2020 – NBC Sports presents the return of the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross season live this Sunday afternoon on NBC and NBCSN from Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. Coverage will begin on NBCSN at 3 p.m. ET and shifts to NBC at 4 p.m. ET.

All seven events remaining in the 2020 Supercross season will take place at Rice–Eccles Stadium and be shown live across NBC, NBCSN, NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app, and NBC Sports Gold – NBC Sports Digital’s direct-to-consumer live streaming product.

Veteran play-by-play commentator Ralph Sheheen, five-time Supercross champion and seven-time Motocross champion Ricky Carmichael, host and former racer Daniel Blair, and reporter Will Christien will call the remaining events.

Eli Tomac currently leads the championship standings in the premier 450SX Class with 226 points, trailed closely by Ken Roczen (223 points) and reigning class champion Cooper Webb (197 points). In the 250SX East Class, Chase Sexton leads Shane McElrath by 10 points. Tomac (450SX) and Garrett Marchbanks (250SX East) were the winners in Supercross’ most recent event on March 7 at Daytona International Speedway.

NBC Sports Gold’s “Supercross Pass” offers a comprehensive one-stop-shop package of events that will include live streaming and on-demand replays for all Supercross qualifiers and races without commercial interruption, as well as present exclusive expert analysis and interviews. “Supercross Pass” is available now for $59.99. Click here to purchase. This weekend’s coverage exclusively on NBC Sports Gold begins Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET with qualifying.

Race coverage on NBC and NBCSN streams on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

Date Coverage Network Time (ET)
Sun., May 31 Monster Energy Supercross – Qualifying NBC Sports Gold 12:30 p.m.
  Monster Energy Supercross – Event NBCSN 3 p.m.
  Monster Energy Supercross – Event NBC 4 p.m.

NBCSN will also present encores of Monster Jam action throughout the weekend, beginning tomorrow, Friday, May 29. The entire broadcast schedule is below:

Date Coverage Network Time (ET)
Fri., May 29 Monster Jam World Finals: Orlando 2019 NBCSN Midnight
  Monster Jam: Anaheim 2020 NBCSN 2 a.m.
Sun., May 31 Monster Jam: Oakland 2020 NBCSN 11 p.m.
  Monster Jam: Miami 2020 NBCSN Midnight
  Monster Jam: Jacksonville 2020 NBCSN 1 a.m.
  Monster Jam: Anaheim 2020 NBCSN 2 a.m.

–NBC SPORTS–

Advertisements

ANDY REID ON PATRICK MAHOMES; REBECCA LOWE & ROBBIE EARLE ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE’S RETURN — QUOTES FROM TODAY’S LUNCH TALK LIVE WITH MIKE TIRICO AND THE RICH EISEN SHOW ON NBCSN

By Leave a Comment

“Quarterbacking is like being a farmer. The work is never done…It’s our responsibility to give him new challenges.” – Chiefs coach Andy Reid on QB Patrick Mahomes’ growth

“It’s giving everyone an absolutely massive lift.” – NBC Sports’ Rebecca Lowe on Premier League’s return to play plan

“The (positive test) numbers have been kept so low, there’s a confidence now that the Premier League can move forward and…finish the (season).” – NBC Sports Premier League analyst Robbie Earle

“I thought he was a first-round talent in the draft two years ago…He has a lot of Tony Romo in his game.” – Chris Simms on New England Patriots QB Jarrett Stidham

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 28, 2020 – Mike Tirico hosted today’s episode of Lunch Talk Live on NBCSN and was joined remotely by:

    • Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona
    • Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin
    • NBC Sports NFL analyst Chris Simms
    • NBC Sports motorsports commentator Jeff Burton
    • NBC Sports Premier League analyst Robbie Earle
    • Supercross rider and current points leader Eli Tomac

The Rich Eisen Show followed Lunch Talk Live on NBCSN, as host Rich Eisen was joined by:

    • Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid
    • Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer
    • Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh
    • NBC Sports’ Rebecca Lowe

 

Following are highlights from Lunch Talk Live on NBCSN:

Robbie Earle on today’s announcement that the Premier League will resume its season June 17: “This has been a huge week for English football…It was so important that the Premier League made a couple of big steps forward…Exciting news for Premier League fans that it looks like ‘Project Restart’ has had a real kickstart in getting going. I look forward to the next three weeks.”

Earle on the Premier League’s recent testing samples: “I think the confidence the Premier League have taken — the steps moving forward — has been because it’s been underpinned by the high number of testing…I think because the (positive test) numbers have been kept so low, there’s a confidence now that the Premier League can move forward and, hopefully not only restart the Premier League, but finish the Premier League [season].”

Earle on Germany’s Bundesliga resuming play: “I’ve been hugely impressed…Concentration levels and fitness levels have been excellent.”

Terry Francona on MLB’s season: “I do think Major League Baseball is doing everything in its power to be prepared to play if we get a window…The one thing I do wish — I understand there has to be negotiations, this is a billion dollar business — I would prefer if it was done in private and not in the media, just out of respect for the 40 million people out of jobs right now.”

Francona on issues surrounding Minor League Baseball this season: “To lose a year of (player) development is keeping our organization and everyone up at night because you can’t get that back. When you are 18-22 years old, the most important thing to do is to be playing. It creates a ton of anxiety for all of us.”

Francona on how the team will operate if the season begins: “We don’t have a lot of answers right now. What we’re going to do is follow all the protocols and guidelines in place and then try and make it as easy and organized as possible for the players so they can get ready. That will be quite a feat, as you can imagine.”

Francona on pitchers staying ready during the hiatus: “If our pitchers fell behind, we were going to be playing catch up the entire time. I really believe our pitchers have done an excellent job in keeping their arms stretched out to a point where they can compete again pretty quickly.”

Francona on managing Michael Jordan in the minors: “It had all the makings of turning into a circus for a number of reasons and it never did. I give Michael (Jordan) all the credit for that. The biggest thing he did was respect the game of baseball and respected the people in the game of baseball and it made it all work.”

Chris Simms on a potential “Sky Judge” to be tested in the preseason: “To have that extra set of eyes, it’s hard for refs on the field to see everything, so I do think an extra set of eyes to help and act as an angel on their shoulder should help in a lot of ways.”

Simms on ranking Patriots QB Jarrett Stidham #35 on his top 40 quarterback countdown: “I thought he was a first-round talent in the draft two years ago…Very good athlete, can throw the ball all sorts of ways…He has a lot of Tony Romo in his game, and I know New England likes the mental aspect and how he handles himself as a professional.”

Jeff Burton on changes within NASCAR following the return to racing: “Normally, Cup races are relatively long, but this has given the sport an opportunity to look at perhaps some shorter races…Does a shorter race create more excitement, does it create more drama, and put the drivers on an immediate need to be more aggressive?”

Burton on the new NASCAR race schedule: “It’s changed how they are doing things, but I haven’t heard anyone — which is remarkable to me with all the changes, the protocols and all the things to get into the racetrack — who has complained about it. It’s all been positive.”

Burton on drivers who have impressed him since the return: “I think Chase Elliott has run really well, had a chance to win multiple races. Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick…and Alex Bowman. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, it’s been forever since Jimmie Johnson has won a race, but Jimmie Johnson. You’re starting to see him in position to win a race and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Jimmie win a race really, really soon.”

Chris Mullin on the differences between the NBA during the 1980s and 1990s compared to today’s game: “Free agency. There wasn’t as much movement with star players. The core stayed the same, which helped chemistry and teamwork…It was way more physical…The evolution of the game has moved further and further behind the three-point line.”

Chris Mullin on Michael Jordan: “Michael could show up to a practice after golf and dominate.”

Eli Tomac on returning to Supercross competition: “Most of us can rely on our past driving pretty well. The question is if you can go the distance…Within 2-3 days, your brain starts warming up more after you take a few weeks off the motorcycle.”

Tomac on the excitement of Supercross: “How far we jump our motorcycles and the raw competition itself. We have really good energy in our sport from green flag to checkered (flag).”

Tomac on having seven events in under a month to finish the season: “That’s going to be the test for us and we’re going to be at elevation in Salt Lake…Cardio-wise, we’re going to be pushed to the limit…Recovery is going to be key.”

Following are highlights from The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN:

Andy Reid on Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy: “I always knew that he knew everything about everything, so when I had a chance to make him the coordinator, that was an easy decision.”

Reid on his relationship with Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: “It’s a trust thing…He trusts (me) and Eric (Bieniemy) and (Chiefs QB coach) Mike (Kafka) as teachers, and we trust what he brings us.”

Reid on how Mahomes can improve: “Quarterbacking is like being a farmer. The work is never done. There’s something in the game that you can work on and it’s our responsibility to give him new challenges.”

Mike Zimmer on the NFL season: “We’re preparing like it’s going to be a normal season.”

Zimmer on rookie WR Justin Jefferson: “I think every coach and GM say they were surprised that he was there when we picked him, but we really were this time…We felt like he was really pro-ready as he came in.”

Zimmer on Bill Parcells: “We’re pretty good friends. We talk every Monday morning…He’s a great mentor for me. He’s hard on all of his coaches, but for some reason I think he took a liking to me.”

Zimmer on the proposed fourth-and-15 rule change replacing onside kicks: “I’m against it. I’m a traditionalist. I like football the way it is.”

Zimmer on trading former Vikings WR Stefon Diggs to the Bills: “Buffalo came in and gave us all those picks and we were up against it in the salary cap. We felt like we could save some money and get a bunch of picks. Maybe get a young receiver, like JJ (Justin Jefferson), which we got. I wish him well. He’s a good kid, he worked hard for me.”

Rebecca Lowe on the reaction in the UK of the Premier League’s announced plan to return: “It’s giving everyone an absolutely massive lift at a time, I think, where desperation…was starting to creep in. We need positivity, we need lifting. We can be both concerned, and we can be both very, very clear with making sure all things are in place, but we can also be super happy and super excited…that something we love it is coming back.”

Lowe on the feasibility of the Premier League’s plan to finish the season: “I’m positive [about it], I think it’s feasible.”

Lowe on the PL’s planned resumption date of June 17: “At some point…we’ve got to try and get this thing moving because we haven’t got all the time in the world. There are people relying on this for all sorts of reasons.”

Lowe on the reception to the condensed schedule: “The great thing about human beings is we all adapt. Whether you’re watching it and find it jarring at the beginning, then a few weeks in it becomes the new normal, that’s the same with the players.”

Jim Harbaugh on the University of Michigan’s safety protocols: “There’s a great health system at Michigan, there’s a lot of smart people, and I have confidence that they’re going to give us the right direction. And I think it’s a really important piece, and we’ve done it, is reached out to the parents.”

Harbaugh on the University of Michigan’s approach to playing this season: “We’re respectful of what the doctors are saying, respectful of the virus. Ultimately, we want the health and safety of the guys, the coaches, the staff, everybody — the community — to be the priority.”

Harbaugh on Michigan’s quarterback situation: “That’s to be seen. We’ve got some guys we really love, and they’ve been chomping at the bit.”

–NBC SPORTS–

*PROGRAMMING ALERT* – NBC SPORTS PRESENTS TVG’S “TRACKSIDE LIVE” HORSE RACING COVERAGE THIS FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY ON NBCSN AT 4 P.M. ET

By Leave a Comment

TVG “Trackside Live” Simulcast on NBCSN Starting at 4 p.m. ET on All Three Days

NBCSN’s Live Coverage Will be Streamed on NBCSports.com & the NBC Sports app

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 28, 2020 – NBC Sports presents 11 hours of live horse racing coverage this weekend as NBCSN simulcasts TVG’s Trackside Live from tomorrow, Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31, beginning at 4 p.m. ET each day.

Anchored by several TVG on-air commentators who cover racing every day, including TVG host and NBC Sports reporter Britney Eurton, TVG’s Trackside Live provides fans with live horse racing from various tracks across the country.

Live coverage will be streamed on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs.

Following is this weekend’s NBCSN programming schedule (all times ET, subject to change):

Date Event Time (ET)
Fri., May 29 TVG Trackside Live 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Sat., May 30 TVG Trackside Live 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Sun., May 31 TVG Trackside Live 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

 

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, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Royal Ascot, and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series. 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–

DWAYNE JOHNSON, JOHN CENA AND RONDA ROUSEY SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE TONIGHT ON NBCSN, BEGINNING AT 7 P.M. ET

By Leave a Comment

Tonight’s Trio of WWE Superstar Hosts Own Numerous Championship Belts & Have Headlined 11 WrestleManias

NBCSN Presents 20 SNL Episodes Hosted by Sports Stars in Primetime This Week

Content to Stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports App

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 28, 2020 – Dwayne Johnson, John Cena and Ronda Rousey headline tonight’s classic sports-themed Saturday Night Live episodes on NBCSN, beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The trio of WWE superstar hosts own numerous wrestling championship belts and have headlined 11 WrestleManias. Rousey also won a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a UFC title.

This week in primetime, NBCSN televises 20 SNL episodes dating back to the early 1990s that were hosted by the biggest names in sports. Hosts for the remainder of SNL Week include (NBCSN appearance order): Michael Phelps, Derek Jeter, Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan.

Programming will also stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

Below is more information on tonight’s SNL Week programming:

TONIGHT, THURSDAY, MAY 28 – DWAYNE JOHNSON, JOHN CENA & RONDA ROUSEY

SNL EPISODE TIME (ET) NETWORK
Dwayne Johnson: March 28, 2015 7 p.m. NBCSN
John Cena: Dec. 10, 2016 8 p.m. NBCSN
Dwayne Johnson: May 20, 2017 9 p.m. NBCSN
Ronda Rousey: Jan. 23, 2016 10 p.m. NBCSN

DWAYNE JOHNSON: MARCH 28, 2015 AT 7 P.M. ET AND MAY 20, 2017 AT 9 P.M. ET

Following the three Saturday Night Live episodes that were encored last night, Dwayne Johnson, who has hosted SNL a total of five times, is featured in two episodes of SNL on NBCSN beginning tonight at 7 p.m. ET.

Johnson began his athletic career on the football field, where he played defensive tackle at the University of Miami and won a national championship in 1991. Johnson entered the professional wrestling ranks in 1996 where he quickly gained acclaim inside the ring, as ‘The Rock.’ Considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, he has won a number of championships in different disciplines, and headlined many of the WWE’s biggest events.

After his time in the ring, Johnson became an actor, where he has become one of the highest grossing box-office stars of all time. Notable films and television series that he has starred in include the Fast & Furious and Jumanji franchises, Moana, The Titan Games and Ballers. In addition to also being an author and businessman, Johnson has appeared twice on the Time 100 Most Influential People in the World list (2016, 2019).

JOHN CENA: DEC. 10, 2016 AT 8 P.M. ET

One of the most accomplished professional wrestlers, John Cena is tied for the most championship reigns in WWE history and has headlined many of the sport’s biggest events, including WrestleMania five times. He made his Saturday Night Live hosting appearance on Dec. 10, 2016.

While still a part-time wrestler, Cena has ventured into acting and music. He starred in the films Trainwreck and Bumblebee, hosts Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? on television and released a rap album that went platinum. Cena has granted over 650 wishes for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the most in the foundation’s history.

RONDA ROUSEY: JAN. 23, 2016 AT 10 P.M. ET

After becoming the first American woman to earn an Olympic medal in judo with a bronze at the 2008 Summer Olympics, Ronda Rousey pursued a career in mixed marital arts. In the UFC, Rousey became the inaugural Women’s Bantamweight Champion, which she successfully defended six times. Rousey hosted SNL on Jan. 23, 2016, two months after her loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193, which ended her three-year championship reign.

In 2018, Rousey became the first female fighter to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. That same year, she entered professional wrestling, where she won a title belt.

Below is tonight and tomorrow’s NBCSN highlighted content:

DATE SNL EPISODE TIME (ET)
Thursday, May 28 Dwayne Johnson: March 28, 2015 7 p.m.
  John Cena: Dec. 10, 2016 8 p.m.
  Dwayne Johnson: May 20, 2017 9 p.m.
  Ronda Rousey: Jan. 23, 2016 10 p.m.
Friday, May 29 Michael Phelps: Sept. 13, 2008 7 p.m.
  Derek Jeter: Dec. 1, 2001 8 p.m.
  Charles Barkley: Jan. 7, 2012 9 p.m.
  Charles Barkley: March 3, 2018 10 p.m.
  Michael Jordan: Sept. 28, 1991 11 p.m.

–NBC SPORTS–

RAFAEL NADAL, ROGER FEDERER, & NOVAK DJOKOVIC HEADLINE NBC’S CLASSIC FRENCH OPEN COVERAGE, BEGINNING THIS SATURDAY AT 1 P.M. ET

By Leave a Comment

NBC Presents 11 Hours of Classic French Open Finals Over the Next Two Weekends, Highlighted by Nadal, the “King of Clay,” and Federer

This Weekend’s Matches Feature Nadal’s Record-Breaking Seventh French Open Title and Federer’s First and Only Title From Roland-Garros in 2009

Federer-Nadal and Serena Williams-Maria Sharapova Rivalries Highlighted Next Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 on NBC

Content to Stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports App

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 28, 2020 – With the French Open postponed, NBC Sports presents encore presentations of classic French Open finals over the next two weekends, starting this Saturday, May 30 at 1 p.m. ET on NBC.

This weekend’s matches are highlighted by: Rafael Nadal, the “King of Clay,” who holds a record-breaking 12 French Open titles; 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer; 17-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic; and two-time French Open finalist Robin Soderling, who was the first player to defeat Nadal at the French Open. The current “Big Three” of men’s tennis – Federer, Nadal and Djokovic – are the top three players of all-time in terms of Grand Slam singles titles won with Federer holding the record, followed by Nadal (19) and Djokovic.

Commentators for all four encore final matches include: Ted Robinson, John McEnroe and Mary Carillo. Programming will also stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

The complete French Open schedule on NBC over the next two weekends is below:

DATE EVENT TIME (ET)
Saturday, May 30 2012 French Open Men’s Final 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 31 2009 French Open Men’s Final 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 6 2006 French Open Men’s Final 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 7 2013 French Open Women’s Final 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Following is a look at this weekend’s French Open men’s finals on NBC:

SATURDAY, MAY 30 – 2012 FRENCH OPEN MEN’S FINAL

In 2012, No. 2 seeded Rafael Nadal defeated top-seeded and first-time Roland-Garros finalist Novak Djokovic, 6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5, for a record-breaking seven titles at Roland-Garros. Nadal’s seventh title surpassed Bjorn Borg for the most men’s singles wins at the French Open and tied Chris Evert’s record for most French Open titles won.

The match was played over two days due to weather delays. When play was suspended due to rain on Sunday, June 10, 2012, Nadal was leading Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 1-2 (in the fourth set) – up two sets to one, while Djokovic led 2–1 in the fourth set. The next day, Nadal was able to regroup and take the fourth set, and ultimately the match, after Djokovic double-faulted on championship point to give Nadal his third consecutive win at Roland-Garros and seventh victory in eight years.

SUNDAY, MAY 31 – 2009 FRENCH OPEN MEN’S FINAL

With an exceptional performance, Swiss star Roger Federer defeated Robin Soderling of Sweden, 6–1, 7–6 (1), 6–4, to win his first and only French Open title. This was Federer’s fourth consecutive French Open final, having lost the previous three to Spanish rival Rafael Nadal. With the win, Federer became the third man in the Open Era (following Laver and Agassi) and sixth overall competitor to complete the career Grand Slam.

No. 23 seeded Soderling greatly exceeded expectations at Roland-Garros, reaching his first Grand Slam final of his career. Leading off Sunday’s NBC broadcast, the conclusion of the tournament’s most shocking match will be shown – Soderling’s victory over four-time defending French Open champion and top-seeded Nadal in the fourth round, 6–2, 6–7 (2), 6–4, 7–6 (2). Women’s tennis legend Martina Navratilova called the Nadal-Soderling match one of the greatest upsets in Grand Slam history.

***

French Open encore coverage continues next weekend on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7. Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, and retired Russian tennis icon Maria Sharapova, a two-time French Open champion (2012, 2014), highlight next weekend’s matches.

Following are the French Open finals on NBC next weekend:

SATURDAY, JUNE 6 – 2006 FRENCH OPEN MEN’S FINAL

In 2006, No. 2 seeded Rafael Nadal successfully defended his French Open title by defeating top-seeded Roger Federer, 1–6, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6 (4), becoming the youngest back-to-back Roland-Garros winner since Bjorn Borg in 1974-75. Nadal’s 2006 victory also helped him to an all-time record 81 consecutive clay court victories from 2005-07.

Federer suffered his first loss in a Grand Slam final in the only major he had yet to win at the time. Coming into the match, Federer had an 0-3 record against Nadal in 2006, but a perfect 44-0 record against his other opponents.

The match also marked the first meeting of the top-two seeded men in a Roland-Garros final since 1984.

SUNDAY, JUNE 7 – 2013 FRENCH OPEN WOMEN’S FINAL

In 2013, top-seeded Serena Williams defeated defending French Open champion and second-seeded Maria Sharapova in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, to win her second French Open title and 16th Grand Slam singles title. Williams only dropped one set the entire 2013 French Open tournament, to Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals.

After her 2013 French Open victory, Williams extended her season winning streak to 31 matches, the longest single-season streak in 13 years. Williams would go on to win 23 Grand Slam singles titles to-date, just one shy of matching Australian tennis legend Margaret Court for the all-time record.

The match marked the first meeting of the top-two seeded women in a Roland-Garros final since 1995 and the first time at any Grand Slam final since the 2004 Australian Open.

 

NBC AND THE FRENCH OPEN: In 1975, NBC became the first American television network to provide coverage of the French Open when the network signed a three-year deal with the French Tennis Federation. The tournament was covered by CBS from 1980-82 and returned to NBC in 1983, where it has remained since. This will be NBC’s 38th consecutive year televising the event.

 

–NBC SPORTS–

NEW DETAILS EMERGE REGARDING MICHAEL JORDAN’S 1995 NBA RETURN IN NEW NBC SPORTS REGIONAL NETWORKS ‘SPORTS UNCOVERED’ PODCAST INITIATIVE

By Leave a Comment

Six-Part Weekly Anthology Podcast Series Begins TODAY with ‘I’m Back,’

Focusing on Jordan’s First NBA Comeback Announcement, which includes Never-Before-Heard Stories about his Secret Workouts with another NBA Team 

“I’m Back” Podcast Download Available NOW >> https://bit.ly/SportsUncovered

Upcoming ‘Sports Uncovered’ Podcasts to Focus on Additional Teams & Personalities including Bill Belichick,

Sean Taylor, Barret Robbins, Oregon Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers

NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico to Introduce Every Podcast Episode

Chicago, IL (May 28, 2020) – Beginning today, NBC Sports Regional Networks debuts a new six-episode, weekly podcast anthology series, “Sports Uncovered,” that re-examines some of the most memorable and compelling storylines and events in sports history. With new episodes publishing each Thursday through July 2, this original storytelling franchise utilizes exclusive, in-depth interviews with prominent participants, witnesses and experts to explore new, underreported or forgotten aspects of well-known topics centered in each of the NBC Sports Regional Networks markets.

The debut episode of the “Sports Uncovered” podcast series, entitled “I’m Back,” is more than just a story just about the most famous two-word fax in sports history, it unveils never-before-heard stories about the events leading up to basketball legend Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA and the Chicago Bulls, including his secret workouts with another iconic NBA franchise, new stories detailing his 1995 on-court return against the Indiana Pacers, plus – anecdotes about the additional jersey that was kept around by the team’s equipment manager and much more.

Podcast DOWNLOAD HERE: https://bit.ly/SportsUncovered

Among the stories revealed for the first time include:

  • Prior to his early March 1995 Berto Center workouts with the Bulls, and to test himself against the league’s next generation of emerging young stars, Jordan held secret, behind-closed-door workouts over a two to three-day period with … the Golden State Warriors. Former Warriors greats Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin, along with MJ’s friend/former teammate Rod Higgins, discuss those high-intensity practice sessions that featured Jordan wearing Warriors practice attire.
  • Longtime Bulls photographer Bill Smith and NBC Sports NBA reporter Ahmad Rashad were the only two people inside Jordan’s private locker room before his first game back against the Pacers, both of whom detail that private, pre-game scene.
  • While Jordan started his ’95 comeback wearing #45, veteran Bulls equipment manager John Ligmanowski tells the story of why he carried a #23 jersey everywhere they went, just in case.

NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico introduces each “Sports Uncovered” podcast, including the “I’m Back” episode, which also features additional, candid Jordan era recollections from former Bulls teammates Steve Kerr, Toni Kukoc and Horace Grant, past NBA greats Dominique Wilkins, Robert Horry and Glen Rice, NBA legend/three-time champion LeBron James, along with longtime agent David Falk, longtime trainer Tim Grover and former NBA Senior VP/Basketball Communications Brian McIntyre among others.

Among the highlighted quotes from the one-hour Sports Uncovered/“I’m Back” podcast, include the following:

Tim Hardaway revealing MJ practiced with Warriors: “The reason why I’m smiling, I might get in trouble for this. Him and Rod Higgins are really, really good friends. He came and practiced with us two or three times and we knew he was coming back then. He just took over our practice, just took over our practice. He got five guys that wasn’t playing that much, and he said ‘us seven will play you all’s seven in a scrimmage,’ and it was like he never left.”

Rod Higgins on MJ/Warriors practices: “Michael was a Warrior for 48 hours…he came in and (Warriors equipment manager) Eric Housen dressed him out in Warriors gear, he might have given him number 23. Once Michael got warmed up, you could tell his objective was to basically kick Spree (Latrell Sprewell) and Tim’s (Hardaway) behind, and talk trash to them.”

Chris Mullin on observing MJ against younger Warriors stars: “I always thought he was coming back, but a day like that…he was just so fit, so it wasn’t a physical thing, but seeing him on the basketball court and playing against, Sprewell was a really good player and he was in midseason form, for him to do that, I thought it’s just a matter of time.”

Tim Grover on MJ vs. Sprewell in Warriors practice sessions: “My take on this…Latrell was one of the more explosive, more athletic and he was probably one of the better players during that short run that he had. So what Michael needed to know, even though I took the time off, can I still come back and kick his ass?… and in his mind he’s like, ‘I’ve been gone from this game for how long? And he’s supposed to be the top player? Alright.’ He wasn’t testing himself against Sprewell, he was testing himself against himself.”

John Ligmanowski on jersey number preparedness: “He decided he was going to go with the 45, and I said ‘I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ll make the 23 up too so we’ll have both. We’ll have the 45, the 23 in case you change your mind, I got it.’… I always carried the 23 around with me in case he decided, (and) it happened.”

In addition to today’s “I’m Back” download debut, please note the following upcoming NBC Sports Regional Networks “Sports Uncovered” podcast series release dates/episode descriptions:

 

RELEASE DATE NBC Sports RSN TITLE/EPISODE DESCRIPTION
May 28 Chicago “I’m Back”: Michael Jordan’s 1995 NBA return
June 4 Boston “The Bill Belichick You Don’t Know”: Belichick’s closest confidants reveal the side of the New England Patriots head coach the public doesn’t get to see.
June 11 Northwest “The Uniform Craze That Revolutionized College Football”: How the University of Oregon ignited a fashion arms race across the NCAA and all sports, by going from having Donald Duck as its mascot to trendsetting Nike uniforms that attracted five-star recruits to Eugene.
June 18 Washington “Sean Taylor, the NFL Superstar We Didn’t Get to Know”: Untold stories that explain why the NFL’s biggest stars revere Sean Taylor, the Washington Redskins safety who was killed at 24 while protecting his family.
June 25 Philadelphia “Marathon on Ice”: How the Philadelphia Flyers & Pittsburgh Penguins survived seven hours of playoff hockey as they battled in the longest game of the NHL’s modern era.
July 2 Bay Area “The Mysterious Disappearance that Changed a Super Bowl”: Barret Robbins in his own words — from prison — revealing the real reasons why he disappeared and missed playing in the Raiders’ loss in Super Bowl XXXVII.

 

NOTE: “Sports Uncovered” podcast episodes are available for download on ALL major podcast platforms, including: NBCSports.com/podcasts, NBC Sports’ Scores app, Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and iHeart.

NBC Sports Chicago, a partnership between the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago White Sox (MLB) and the NBC Sports Group, features over 275 live pro games in high definition each year.  In addition, NBC Sports Chicago delivers extensive pre/post-game coverage for its core pro team partners, as well as Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs multi-platform coverage, plus – local sports discussion programs that includes SportsTalk Live, and massive cross-platform coverage provided by the network’s growing digital platform, NBCSportsChicago.com, the “MyTeams by NBC Sports” app, and its variety of fan-focused social media outlets. Fans can follow the network on Twitter via @NBCSChicago.  

NBC Sports Regional Networks is NBC Sports Group’s portfolio of nine regional networks that delivers more than 2,200 live sporting events and original content to more than 35 million homes. Aligned within Eastern and Western Divisions, the NBC Sports Regional Networks are: NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia +, NBC Sports Washington, NBC Sports Washington + and SNY; and NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Chicago/NBC Sports Chicago+, and NBC Sports Northwest. For more information on NBC Sports Group properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios, headshots and logos, please visit www.NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.

 

– NBC SPORTS CHICAGO –

ANDY REID, MIKE ZIMMER, JIM HARBAUGH, CHRIS MULLIN, INDIANS MANAGER TERRY FRANCONA AND CHRIS SIMMS TODAY ON “LUNCH TALK LIVE WITH MIKE TIRICO” & “THE RICH EISEN SHOW” ON NBCSN

By Leave a Comment

Today at Noon ET on NBCSN – Lunch Talk Live with Mike Tirico – Guests Include Cleveland Indians Manager Terry Francona, Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin, NBC Sports NFL Analyst Chris Simms, NBC Sports Motorsports Commentator Jeff Burton, NBC Sports Premier League Analyst Robbie Earle and Supercross Driver Eli Tomac

Today at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN – The Rich Eisen Show – Guests Include Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer, and Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh

Today at 11 a.m. ET ON NBCSN – NBC Sports Football Flex Features Nos. 38-40 on Chris Simms’ Top 40 Quarterback Countdown

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 28, 2020 – Kansas City Chiefs and Super Bowl-winning head coach Andy Reid, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona, Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin, and NBC Sports NFL analyst Chris Simms highlight today’s guests across Lunch Talk Live with Mike Tirico and The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN.

Weekday Lineup on NBCSN (7 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET):

7 a.m. – 9 a.m. PFT Live (LIVE)
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. PFT Live
11 a.m. – Noon NBC Sports Football Flex
Noon – 1 p.m. Lunch Talk Live with Mike Tirico (LIVE)
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. The Rich Eisen Show (LIVE)
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Lunch Talk Live with Mike Tirico

 

Lunch Talk Live begins at Noon ET on NBCSN, with Francona, Mullin, Simms, NBC Sports Motorsports commentator Jeff Burton, NBC Sports Premier League analyst Robbie Earle, and Supercross driver Eli Tomac joining Tirico on today’s episode.

The hour-long show airs weekdays at Noon ET on NBCSN, with an encore at 3 p.m. ET, and streams on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. Select content and interviews will additionally be hosted on NBC Sports’ YouTube channel and social media platforms. The full show will also be available on The Mike Tirico Podcast.

Today’s Lunch Talk Live guests, which feature dynamic and cross-sport pairings, include:

    • Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona
    • Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin
    • NBC Sports NFL analyst Chris Simms
    • NBC Sports motorsports commentator Jeff Burton
    • NBC Sports Premier League analyst Robbie Earle
    • Supercross driver and current points leader Eli Tomac

 

The Rich Eisen Show, which will be presented live on NBCSN from Monday through Friday from 1-3 p.m. ET through June 12, follows Lunch Talk Live today at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Today’s guests on The Rich Eisen Show include:

    • Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid
    • Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer
    • Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh

 

At 11 a.m. ET on NBCSN, NBC Sports Football Flex, a one-hour show showcasing the most topical news and analysis from NBC Sports’ digital football content, features Nos. 38-40 on Chris Simms’ list of the top 40 NFL quarterbacks. Click here for more information on Simms’ countdown.

“The fact that there might be potential for teams to move around a little bit, that definitely adds a little incentive to the game,” Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told Tirico yesterday about the NHL’s round robin formatting to determine top seeding in each conference.

Click here for more quotes from yesterday’s shows.

–NBC SPORTS–

LIGHTNING COACH JON COOPER ON NHL’S RETURN TO PLAY; MATT NAGY ON BEARS’ QB COMPETITION — QUOTES FROM TODAY’S LUNCH TALK LIVE WITH MIKE TIRICO AND THE RICH EISEN SHOW ON NBCSN

By Leave a Comment

“The fact that there might be potential for teams to move around a little bit, that definitely adds a little incentive to the game.” – Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper on round robin formatting to determine top seeding in each conference

“You need to win, that’s how quarterbacks are evaluated…The standards we have, we didn’t reach them last year, but there’s more reasons than just the quarterback.” – Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy on Mitchell Trubisky

“He seems to have that ‘it’ factor.” – Terrell Davis on Broncos QB Drew Lock

“I do think that under this format it will be the most difficult Stanley Cup to win ever.” – NHL on NBC analyst Keith Jones on the NHL’s playoff format

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 27, 2020 – Mike Tirico hosted today’s episode of Lunch Talk Live on NBCSN and was joined remotely by:

    • Three-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Ryan Murphy
    • Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy
    • Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper
    • NHL on NBC analysts Keith Jones and Brian Boucher
    • NBC Sports’ Kathryn Tappen

 

The Rich Eisen Show followed Lunch Talk Live on NBCSN, as host Rich Eisen was joined by:

    • Pro Football Hall of Famer and NFL Network analyst Terrell Davis
    • NHL on NBC analyst Eddie Olczyk
    • Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy

 

Following are highlights from Lunch Talk Live on NBCSN:

Jon Cooper on NHL’s round robin playoff format to determine top seeding: “The fact that there might be potential for teams to move around a little bit, that definitely adds a little incentive to the game. I think it is just going to be new to everybody.”

Cooper on the Lightning voting ‘no’ on the NHL’s plan to return to play: “I think a little bit of the integrity of the regular season came into play, and I think they didn’t want to be in a position where they were going to play a team that was a little bit battle-tested.”

Cooper on playing without fans in attendance: “I always compare it to practice…We practice all the time without fans, and we have some pretty intense ones and some pretty intense scrimmages. The guys are going at it all the time.”

Cooper on staying in touch with his players throughout the pandemic: “I think it was a lot more intense when it first started out. Those first three weeks there was a lot of contact…I think this announcement will start lighting the fire a little bit and bringing guys closer together.”

Matt Nagy on adapting to online meetings: “We are really effective, productive and comfortable now…I feel like we are rolling right now in regards to installs…This is definitely something I think a lot of us, just talking to some other head coaches across the league, it might be something we implement in certain ways in the future.”

Nagy on having less time to figure out the Bears’ QB competition: “We are losing reps right now in the OTAs. We will have to get them back in training camp. We will have to be creative as to how we do that as a staff. But we will make it work.”

Nagy on the Bears declining Mitchell Trubisky’s fifth-year option: “There are dates and times that every team in the league has to go by, and for us, we had to make a decision.”

Nagy on the proposed fourth-and-15 play potentially replacing the onside kick: “What we are trying to do as a staff is be prepared for both…It is going to create some interesting decisions for head coaches to make in that situation. I am always about creativity and making this game the best we can make it.”

Ryan Murphy on the postponement of the Olympics: “The entire process of getting ready to perform at such a high level seems like such a distant memory at this point…Now I am just looking forward to the summer of 2021.”

Murphy on being able to get pool access to train in California: “We are still operating on a couple days schedules. Some days we are going to have pool access and other days we won’t and that is just how it is.”

Murphy on his training for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: “I was confident. I was putting together some practices that I had never done before. So, I felt like I was in a really, really, really awesome spot…I was really ready to go…I feel like we can chalk up this year as a win.”

Keith Jones on the NHL’s plan to return to play: “This is all in anticipation that the playoffs will happen, and from that perspective, I am extremely happy and very excited to see how this all unfolds.”

Jones on the discussions between the NHL and NHLPA: “I think the NHLPA, NHL and the owners have done a very good job of having these discussions, keeping them private, and emphasizing the health of the players and their families as the most important aspect of this return potentially happening.”

Jones on the Eastern Conference qualifying round match-ups: “I think you can look at them all and there is something compelling about all of them.”

Jones on the NHL’s playoff format: “Best-of-sevens are ideally the way you would love it to be, but I do think that under this format it will be the most difficult Stanley Cup to win ever.”

Brian Boucher on the NHL’s plan to return to play: “There are more hurdles to get over this, but by and large, this is positive news for the National Hockey League going forward.”

Boucher on the partnership between the NHL and NHLPA to create the return to play plan: “When these two sides get together, often times it is contentious but I think in this case, they were fighting for the same thing and they had the same goal in mind and that was to formulate a plan that would be as fair as possible.”

Boucher on the round robin formatting for the top seeds: “It may not be entirely fair for everybody, but I like the idea that those play-in games in the first-round round robin mean something.”

Boucher on the No. 12 Chicago Blackhawks vs. No. 5 Edmonton Oilers qualifying round matchup: “Anytime you look at that five to 12 matchup, that is where you have the most to lose because there is a lot of pressure on a team like Edmonton to get the job done.”

Kathryn Tappen on the NHL’s return to play announcement: “One word to describe it would be, ‘fair.’ I really think the NHL did a tremendous job mapping this out.”

Tappen on the NHL’s playoff format: “I think it is going to be the most exciting hockey we have seen in a long time.”

Tappen on the importance of the return of sports: “I think all of these sports leagues coming together and trying to put together a plan — and that is what this is with the NHL, it is a plan — but look at how much happiness it provided to people in the last 24 hours.”

Following are highlights from The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN:

Matt Nagy on the Bears quarterback competition: “We all understand that when you win, you’re going to get a lot of praise that you probably shouldn’t get and when you lose it’s the same way…You need to win, that’s how quarterbacks are evaluated…The standards we have, we didn’t reach them last year, but there’s more reasons than just the quarterback. Where Mitch (Trubisky) can get better is the ‘next play mentality’…He’s going to keep growing…We have a healthy QB competition. These guys are very competitive, and it’s going to be interesting to see how it ends up.”

Nagy on the proposed fourth-and-15 rule replacing the onside kick: “It’s definitely unique, I like that part about it. There’s going to be some questions that’ll tell us things we can and can’t do. I’m really excited to see what they say.”

Terrell Davis on Broncos QB Drew Lock: “Drew Lock opened some eyes and really got the confidence of his teammates. As you know, for many years, Denver has been looking for that guy. Not only is he showing it on the field, but his personality in the locker room has really come through. When you have a guy that has an infectious personality that is able to connect with the players and still go on the field and perform, that is encouraging. And he seems to have that ‘it’ factor.”

Davis on the 2020 Denver Broncos: “I’m pretty excited about what Denver looks like this year. In a division with Kansas City, you’ve got to score points. The Denver defense will be good, but to come back to what Kansas City is doing, you have to have an offense.”

Davis on Michael Jordan’s leadership style: “He was hard on a lot of his teammates. But I’m not surprised by that. I’ve seen that with great leaders and players. He wants to be great and he expects everybody else to be the same way and he held them to a standard and held them accountable.”

Davis on John Elway’s leadership style: “He was going to go play and ball out. That’s the way he led. He would rarely say anything and if he said something, it was very significant. It meant something…The presence of John Elway made me have to play better. I had to gain his respect…You didn’t want to let him down. You felt like he had more authority than the coaches.”

Eddie Olczyk on the NHL during the pause: “The league — led by Commissioner (Gary) Bettman and Executive Commissioner Bill Daly — has done an unbelievable job since the middle of March during this pause. They have been out there, answering questions, given information when it was there…The leadership from the Commissioner was second to none.”

Olczyk on the 24-team return to play format: “It’s wide open. I don’t think anything that anybody did prior to the pause really has relevance in what’s going to take place. This is absolutely uncharted territory…I don’t think it favors anybody.”

Olczyk on health and safety protocols: “The hurdles are, from a player’s perspective, how are we going to do this and keep everyone safe? What happens if someone gets sick?…Those things have to be worked out…You’re 10 minutes into the first period of this game to get us back playing here in hopefully late July or early August.”

Olczyk on the 2020 Belmont Stakes being run at 1 mile and an eighth rather than the usual mile and a half distance: “I think it’s being proactive…Doing right by the animals and the sport…The Belmont gets to kick off the Triple Crown, we’ll see if somebody can pull off the feat. If they happen to do it, I will not look at it any differently than I would a normal Triple Crown because this was the hand that was dealt.”

–NBC SPORTS–

CHELSEA AND ARSENAL CLEAN-SHEET VICTORIES HIGHLIGHT PREMIER LEAGUE PROGRAMMING THIS WEEKEND

By Leave a Comment

NBCSN’s Saturday Classic PL Matches Feature Chelsea Spoiling Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger’s 1000th Game in March 2014

Sunday’s Encore Doubleheader on NBCSN Highlights Tottenham’s New Year’s Day Victory Over Manchester United in 2014

NBCSN Presents an Encore Presentation of the 2019 Documentary, Mo Salah – The Egyptian King, This Saturday at 7 a.m. ET

Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin Joins Saturday’s Special Edition of THE MEN IN BLAZERS SHOW at 11:30 a.m. ET

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 27, 2020 – NBC Sports’ Premier League coverage continues this weekend with 12 hours of programming, highlighted by five matches, including clean-sheet victories by Arsenal and Chelsea in 2010 and 2014, respectively.

Saturday’s classic matches on NBCSN feature 30-minute versions of some of the most memorable games in Premier League history. The games begin at 10 a.m. ET with Chelsea’s 6-0 win over Arsenal in March 2014, in what was Arsene Wenger’s 1,000th game in charge of the Gunners. Samuel Eto’o, Andre Schurrle and Eden Hazard gave Chelsea a 3-0 lead within the opening 20 minutes, while then-Blues forward Mohamed Salah topped off the victory in the 71st minute with the sixth goal of the game.

At 10:30 a.m. ET, it’s a five-goal thriller at Etihad Stadium in January 2012, when Manchester City edged Tottenham, 3-2. After Spurs came back from a 2-0 deficit, Mario Balotelli won the game for City with a stoppage-time penalty.

Then at 11 a.m. ET, NBCSN revisits a dominant Arsenal win at Manchester City in October 2010, when the Gunners capitalized on an early dismissal of Dedryck Boyata to win 3-0. Goals from Samir Nasri, Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner helped Arsenal move up to second in the Premier League table.

Saturday’s slate culminates at 11:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN, with soccer personality Roger Bennett hosting a special edition of THE MEN IN BLAZERS SHOW. Bennett talks with Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin about the striker’s rise through the ranks of English football and his unique sense of style during his visit to New York Fashion Week.

Full event encores of some of the most unforgettable Premier League matches continue this Sunday at 8 a.m. ET on NBCSN. In a New Year’s Day to remember in 2014, Tottenham recorded their second consecutive win at Old Trafford over Manchester United, 2-1. Goals from Tottenham’s Emmanuel Adebayor and Christian Eriksen highlighted the game.

Sunday’s matches conclude at 10 a.m. ET on NBCSN, with a back-and-forth thriller at Anfield, where Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli came off the bench to score a late winner in a 3-2 victory over Tottenham on Feb. 10, 2015.

Every Thursday across NBC Sports’ digital properties, including NBC Sports’ YouTube channel, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app, members of the Premier League on NBC team will provide commentary as they look back on classic Premier League matches. Tomorrow, Graeme Le Saux and Arlo White share insights and stories while watching Le Saux’s Chelsea come back from a 3-1 deficit to rescue a point at Old Trafford in September 2000.

NBCSN kicks off Premier League coverage this weekend with back-to-back encores of Inside the Mind. On Saturday at 6 a.m. ET, Gary Lineker chats with Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford on working under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and on coming up through the club’s academy. That’s followed by Arlo White’s chat with Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard at 6:30 a.m. ET.

Then at 7 a.m. ET, NBCSN presents an encore presentation of Mo Salah – The Egyptian King. In the September 2019 documentary, Lineker sits down with Mohamed Salah to discuss the Liverpool star’s humble beginnings in Egypt and his incredible rise in the Premier League. In addition, the show features interviews with Premier League legends Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand, notable journalists, and other influential figures from Salah’s upbringing in Egypt.

Saturday’s coverage also includes Premier League Goals of the Season beginning at 8 a.m. ET on NBCSN with highlights from the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, while Sunday kicks off at 6 a.m. ET on NBCSN with Premier League Season in Review, highlighted by the top storylines and action from the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.

PREMIER LEAGUE “GROUP CHAT” & THE 2 ROBBIES

NBC Sports presents a new slate of podcasts this week featuring two Premier League podcasts. On this week’s episode of the Premier League “Group Chat,” Rebecca Lowe, Robbie Earle, Kyle Martino, Robbie Mustoe, Arlo White, Lee Dixon and Graeme Le Saux discuss the Premier League’s return to contact training and any other news from the latest Shareholders’ meeting. Episodes are available through “Premier League on NBC” and “The 2 Robbies” podcast channels. On a new episode of “The 2 Robbies,” Earle and Mustoe continue their “State of the Premier League” series with Watford and Bournemouth.

Premier League coverage on NBC and NBCSN will be streamed on NBCSports.com. 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.

Following is this weekend’s NBC Sports programming schedule (all times ET, subject to change):

Date Time (ET) Match Network
Sat., May 30 6 a.m. Inside the Mind of Marcus Rashford NBCSN
Sat., May 30 6:30 a.m. Inside the Mind of Frank Lampard NBCSN
Sat., May 30 7 a.m. Mo Salah – The Egyptian King NBCSN
Sat., May 30 8 a.m. Premier League Goals of the Season 2017-18 NBCSN
Sat., May 30 9 a.m. Premier League Goals of the Season 2018-19 NBCSN
Sat., May 30 10 a.m. Premier League Classic Match: Chelsea v. Arsenal (March 22, 2014) NBCSN
Sat., May 30 10:30 a.m. Premier League Classic Match: Manchester City v. Tottenham (Jan. 22, 2012) NBCSN
Sat., May 30 11 a.m. Premier League Classic Match: Manchester City v. Arsenal (Oct. 24, 2010) NBCSN
Sat., May 30 11:30 a.m. THE MEN IN BLAZERS Special: Dominic Calvert-Lewin NBCSN
Sun., May 31 6 a.m. Premier League Season in Review 2014-15 NBCSN
Sun., May 31 7 a.m. Premier League Season in Review 2015-16 NBCSN
Sun., May 31 8 a.m. Premier League Match of the Week: Manchester United v. Tottenham (Jan. 1, 2014) NBCSN
Sun., May 31 10 a.m. Premier League Match of the Week: Liverpool v. Tottenham (Feb. 10, 2015) NBCSN

 

–NBC SPORTS–

NHL LIVE: RETURN TO PLAY QUOTES AND ANALYSIS FROM NHL’S RETURN TO PLAY ANNOUNCEMENT

By Leave a Comment

Quotes and Analysis from Yesterday’s NHL Return to Play Announcement on NBCSN

Hockey Happy Hour Features Two Notable Milestone and Record Performances Today and Tomorrow on NBCSN

Alex Ovechkin and Auston Matthews on Men in Blazers On Ice – Today at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 27, 2020 – The NHL’s Return to Play plan for the 2019-20 season was formally announced on NHL Live: Return To Play yesterday on NBCSN. The hour-long program was hosted by NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico who spoke with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Executive Director of the NHL Players Association Donald Fehr. NHL on NBC analysts Eddie Olczyk and Patrick Sharp joined the program to provide analysis and reaction.

The remainder of this week’s Hockey Happy Hour coverage on NBCSN includes two notable milestone and record performances today and tomorrow. Roger Bennett, co-host of THE MEN IN BLAZERS SHOW, hosts an interview series, Men in Blazers On Ice, featuring stars from around the NHL today on NBCSN at 4:30 p.m. ET. Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin, Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews headline the episode.

DATE EVENT TIME (ET) NETWORK
Wednesday, May 27 #HockeyAtHome: Meet & Greet 4 p.m. NBCSN
  Men in Blazers On Ice 4:30 p.m. NBCSN
  Calgary vs. Colorado (2019 Western Conference First Round, Game 3) 5 p.m. NBCSN
Thursday, May 28 Chicago vs. Anaheim (2015 Western Conference Final, Game 5) 5 p.m. NBCSN

Following are quotes from Bettman, Fehr, Olczyk and Sharp on NHL Live: Return To Play:

NHL COMMISSIONER GARY BETTMAN

Bettman on hub cities: “The reason there are so many cities still in contention is we didn’t want to be in a situation with things in the world moving so quickly, changing from day-to-day, we didn’t want to get locked in. We don’t want to go to a place where there’s a lot of COVID-19, we don’t want to go to a place where we can’t get the testing we need and where there’d be extensive testing…health and safety is the most important thing so there must be test available on a wide-scale basis without disrupting any medical needs. And there are governmental issues. Currently we don’t think we could do this in the Canadian markets because there is a 14-day quarantine. We are talking to the Canadian government about it, but if we get done with training camps and we want to go to a Canadian city and in order to do that we’re going to quarantine for 14 days, that isn’t going to work….we’re probably three weeks or more away from having to make a decision, but I didn’t want to be in a situation where we locked into one place and something was going on there that might want to cause us to reconsider, so it’s great that we have all of these options.”

Bettman on if latter portion of Playoffs could be played in home cities: “Yes. It depends on what the world looks like. If you made me guess today, I think we’d be in one of the two hub cities, or conceivably a third hub city, but if things change dramatically and we have the ability to go back to the home markets…we anticipate playing without fans, but if at some point things change and we could, we would reevaluate. Everything we have been doing over the past 10-12 weeks was having to do with preparing for whatever might be in front of us. Having alternatives, having optionality, and making sure we were flexible enough to adapt to whatever was going on.”

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NHL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION DONALD FEHR

Fehr on players health and safety protocols: “I think what we have done as best we can at this point is design appropriate health and safety protocols. If they need to be amended over time, we will amend them. This is a living document.”

Fehr on his hopes of the NHL finishing this season: “I certainly hope that we can. I certainly hope that is the case. I certainly hope that all the necessary agreements, health and safety, and economic, and the rest can be finalized, so that they can take place. But I hope it is for another reason, because if we can, that would suggest that the world is beginning to return a little bit towards normal.”

Fehr on protecting players and staff: “Can we satisfy that the health and safety of the players and the rest of the staff and everybody else that would be involved can be protected? And can the rest of the agreements we need to make be done? If you don’t have something you are planning, if you don’t have something you can work towards, then we are going to end up getting to a place in which we say alright let’s go ahead and we won’t be able to. So, you have to do this in stages.”

NHL ON NBC ANALYST EDDIE OLCZYK

Olczyk on the NHL Return to Play announcement: “What a great day for hockey fans and people that love this great game. A tip of the hockey helmet to Commissioner Bettman and (NHL Deputy Commissioner) Bill Daly for being transparent through this whole process.”

Olczyk on 24 teams restarting play: “At the end of the day, they (the league) got it right … you’re always going to have someone on the outside looking in, but this is uncharted territory … I am fine with the way it is going to play out with the resume to play (format).”

“When you have this tournament format … with these players being off for as long as they have, … this thing is absolutely wide open. It doesn’t matter what a team did three months ago, that’s out the window.”

Olczyk on the potential Carolina-New York Rangers matchup: “If the Rangers would have went and made the playoffs (in a non-paused season), Artemi Panarin could have been a finalist for MVP … you have two teams that like to get up and go, this should be a lot of fun.”

NHL ON NBC ANALYST PATRICK SHARP

Sharp on the potential Edmonton-Chicago qualifying round matchup: “I start thinking of the two best players in the game, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, whenever they are on the ice, you’re going to notice it. They are dynamic players to watch…No. 88 (on Chicago) Patrick Kane lives for these big moments. Seems like every time he’s in the playoffs, he wants the puck on his stick.”

Sharp on the potential Pittsburgh-Montreal matchup: “Carey Price in the net is a gamechanger… when you have Price in net making saves, you have a chance every night.”

***

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27

#HOCKEYATHOME: MEET & GREET AT 4 P.M. ET

NBC Sports’ Kathryn Tappen co-hosts a 30-minute program that features Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel and Matt Duchene of the Nashville Predators meeting fans and answering their questions virtually during the league’s hiatus.

MEN IN BLAZERS ON ICE AT 4:30 P.M. ET

Roger Bennett, co-host of THE MEN IN BLAZERS SHOW, hosts an interview series featuring stars from around the NHL. Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin, Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews headline this episode.

FLAMES-AVALANCHE (2019 WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND, GAME 3) AT 5 P.M. ET

Just two days after finishing his college season at UMass, Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar scored his first career NHL goal, on his first shot, in his debut in Game 3. In becoming the first defenseman to ever score a goal while making his NHL debut in the postseason, Makar factored in Colorado’s 6-2 victory and two-games-to-one series lead.

Gord Miller (play-by-play) and Ray Ferraro (analyst) called the game action from Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.

THURSDAY, MAY 28

BLACKHAWKS-DUCKS (2015 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL, GAME 5) AT 5 P.M. ET

In the first-ever playoff meeting between these two teams, the series was tied at two games apiece heading into Game 5. Jonathan Toews of Chicago forced an overtime period when he scored two goals with under two minutes left in regulation, but Anaheim’s Matt Beleskey scored the winning goal in overtime for the 5-4 win. With the victory, the Ducks improved to 11-3 in the 2015 postseason, tying the NHL record for the most consecutive games to begin the playoffs without a regulation loss.

Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Joe Micheletti (analyst) and Brian Engblom (‘Inside the Glass’ analyst) had the call from Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

–NBC SPORTS–