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Keeping Up With All The Industry Press Releases

$1.5 Million Up For Grabs At The Winter Dew Tour Finale, Toyota Championship, On NBC & USA This Weekend

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$1.5 MILLION UP FOR GRABS AT THE WINTER DEW TOUR FINALE, TOYOTA CHAMPIONSHIP, ON NBC & USA THIS WEEKEND

NEW YORK – February 3, 2010 – NBC Sports presents live coverage of the Winter Dew Tour from Mount Snow in West Dover, Vt., the third and final stop of the Winter Dew Tour’s sophomore season. The three-stop tour features over 100 winter action sports athletes competing for their sport’s only regular season crown – the Winter Dew Cup – and a $1.5 million prize purse. NBC Sports’ live coverage of Freestyle Skiing Superpipe airs this Saturday Noon-3 p.m., ET. USA Network will air late-night coverage of Snowboard Slopstyle Saturday at midnight ET/PT and Snowboard Superpipe Sunday, at 2 a.m. ET/PT.

The competition features some of the best athletes in the world of snowboard and freeskiing, including 16 year-old snowboard slopestyle leaders, Tyler Flanagan and Sage Kostenburg, currently holding first and second-place positions going into the finals. In the women’s snowboard slopestyle competition, defending Dew Cup champion, Spencer O’Brien, will be fighting to defend her title over close competitors Jamie Anderson and Jenny Jones. In men’s snowboard superpipe, last season’s runner up Steve Fisher sits in position to take it all this year, though 2002 Olympic bronze medalist JJ Thomas is not far behind. Sitting in first place in freestyle skiing superpipe is Jossi Wells, whose 190 points give him a cushion over Simon Dumont’s 155 points. Wells needs to place in the top six to take home his first Dew Cup.

NBC’s Pat Parnell (play-by-play), Todd Richards (analyst), Tina Dixon (analyst), Luke Van Valin (freeskiing analyst) and Tiffany Simons (reporter) call the action from Mount Snow.

Winners in the four combined disciplines of snowboard and freestyle skiing will each be awarded with the Dew Cup and a piece of the $1.5 million prize purse at the Toyota Championship. Danny Davis (Snowboard Superpipe-men), Queralt Castellet (Snowboard Superpipe-women), Tyler Flanagan (Snowboard Slopestyle-men), Spencer O’Brien (Snowboard Slopestyle-women), Jossi Wells (Freeski Superpipe) and Andreas Hatveit and Tom Wallisch (Freeski Slopestyle-tied)  all currently lead the points standings in their respective disciplines.

NBC Universal Announces Coverage Plans For The Vancouver Olympic Winter Games

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Most Winter Olympics Coverage in History: More than 835 Hours on NBC, USA, MSNBC, CNBC, Universal HD & NBCOlympics.com

First All-HD Winter Olympics

NEW YORK – Jan. 14, 2010 – NBC Universal will present more than 835 hours of Vancouver Olympic Winter Games coverage – representing the most total hours ever for a Winter Olympics, more than the last two Winter Olympics combined, and the most live hours ever for a Winter Games. The Vancouver Games, which will be the first Winter Olympics to be presented entirely in high definition, commence with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, Feb. 12. The announcement was made today by Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics and executive producer of NBC Universal’s Olympic coverage.

The more than 835 total hours of coverage on six NBC Universal platforms –  NBC, USA, MSNBC, CNBC and Universal HD, as well as NBCOlympics.com – nearly doubles the coverage from Torino (419) and is more than Torino and Salt Lake City (375.5) combined (794.5).

Following is a breakdown of the Vancouver Olympics coverage on the NBC Universal networks:

  • The six NBC Universal platforms – NBC, USA, MSNBC, CNBC and Universal HD, as well as NBCOlympics.com –  will offer the most in-depth coverage in history for a Winter Olympics. The more than 835 hours is nearly double Torino (419) and is more than Torino and Salt Lake City (375.5) combined (794.5).
  • Over the 17 days of the Vancouver Games (Feb.12-28), NBCU’s coverage will average nearly 50 hours per day – that’s more coverage in one day than all of the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Olympics (43.5) on ABC.
  • The networks of NBCU will provide coverage of every one of the 15 Winter Olympic sports.
  • Vancouver will be the first Winter Olympics broadcast 100-percent in high definition, including the first-ever online HD.
  • The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games represent the 12th Olympics broadcast by NBC, the most Olympic broadcasts by any U.S. network (ABC is second with 10).

A breakdown of coverage platform-by-platform follows:

NBC

The NBC network schedule is divided into three dayparts – afternoon, primetime and late night – for a total of 193.5 hours of coverage over 17 days beginning with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Primetime coverage will heavily consist of men’s and women’s figure skating and alpine skiing. Other sports to be featured in primetime will include freestyle skiing, speed skating, snowboarding, and short track.

Ebersol: “What’s unique about Vancouver is that more than any time in winter sports history, the United States over the last two years has emerged as the dominant international winter sports power. I remember the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics when the U.S. team won one gold medal in each. This U.S. team should have potential medal winners almost every single day of the Vancouver Olympics.”

Kicking off the first night of primetime is the men’s 1500m gold medal final in short track speed skating. Team USA is particularly strong this year, led by Apolo Ohno, a five-time Olympic medalist who needs two medals in Vancouver to pass Bonnie Blair and become the most decorated Winter Olympic athlete in U.S. history. Ohno, the 2007 Dancing With the Stars champion, remains one of the most recognizable U.S. Olympic athletes. He will again be one of the favorites competing in his third Games, this one practically in the Seattle native’s backyard. He competes in four gold medal events across five nights with his biggest competition coming from South Korean and Canadian athletes.

In alpine skiing, Team USA should also be a strong contender for Olympic gold with World Champion Lindsey Vonn, who is the first American woman in history to win back-to-back overall World Cup titles. She heads into the Olympic season with two World Championship titles and 28 World Cup victories (as of Jan. 14, 2010), tops among U.S. female alpine skiers. She currently leads this season’s World Cup standings and has won the past five World Cup downhill races dating back to last season (as of Jan. 14, 2010). The only medal Vonn is missing is an Olympic gold.

In speed skating, Shani Davis of Chicago, who four years ago in Torino became the first African-American athlete to win a Winter Games gold medal in an individual event, will be featured on multiple nights in primetime. Davis, one of the sport’s dominant stars, plans to skate in five individual events, making him the first U.S. Winter Olympian to do so since Eric Heiden 30 years ago in Lake Placid.

Shaun White won gold in his first Olympics four years ago. His Torino Olympic gold medal and unique style led to the rare feat of gracing the covers of both Sports Illustrated and Rolling Stone in the same week. The redheaded action sports icon is the headliner of the deep-as-ever U.S. snowboarding team. With his style and new “double cork” trick, he is the frontrunner to repeat his gold medal performance in the men’s halfpipe competition.

USA Network

USA Network, available in 98.5 million homes, is the cable home of the U.S. Olympic Team for the Vancouver Games. The USA men’s and women’s curling and ice hockey teams will be the staples of USA Network’s Olympic coverage from Vancouver. All Team USA hockey games, both men’s and women’s, will be seen live, the majority on USA Network. USA Network will also feature a live curling match nine of the 12 days of the Olympic curling tournament. USA’s 41 hours of coverage begins on Sunday, Feb. 14.

MSNBC

MSNBC, available in 91.6 million homes in the U.S., will provide 100 hours of Olympic coverage from Vancouver highlighted by live quarterfinal, semifinal and medal round hockey competition. MSNBC’s hockey coverage also features the much-anticipated USA vs. Canada men’s hockey game. MSNBC will also provide extensive live curling coverage, including medal round games, in addition to live speed skating and figure skating. MSNBC begins coverage on Saturday, Feb. 13.

CNBC

CNBC, available in 95 million households in the U.S, will carry 100.5 hours of Olympic programming over 14 days, beginning Saturday, Feb.13. On most days beginning at 5 p.m. ET, CNBC will feature live long-form coverage of Olympic curling. CNBC will also have expanded, live long-form coverage of numerous Olympic sports, including ice hockey and biathlon.

UNIVERSAL HD

Universal HD, currently available in approximately 17 million homes, will re-air USA Network’s coverage.

NBCOlympics.com, Mobile, and VOD

NBCOlympics.com will provide more than 400 hours of live event competition from Vancouver. In addition, the site will offer more than 1,000 hours of on-demand access to full-event replays from broadcast and host-feed coverage of all 15 sports on the Winter Games program, as well as extensive highlights such as event recaps, best-of montages, commentator analysis and athlete-specific clips.

Powered by Microsoft’s Silverlight technology, the video player will present video in stunning high-definition quality and offer DVR-style controls (allowing users to pause and rewind live Olympic video), enhanced navigation and more. By comparison, in Torino, NBC streamed two hours of live action of the men’s gold medal hockey game, mostly as a back-end test.

NBCOlympics mobile will provide up-to-the-minute results, breaking news, as well as video highlights of every event, while Olympics video highlights and event replays will be available on set-top boxes for on-demand viewing.

STANDARD MONDAY-FRIDAY SCHEDULE
Times may vary
(Check NBCOlympics.com or local listings)
(*ET; **ET/PT)

By Network:
NBC: 3 p.m.-  5 p.m.**
8 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. **
12:35 a.m. – 2 a.m.**
2 a.m. – 5 a.m.**
CNBC: 5 p.m.- 5 a.m.*
MSNBC: 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.*
3 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.*
USA: Noon – 5:30 p.m.*
Universal HD – 9 a.m. – Noon*

Chronological:
Universal HD:  9 a.m. – Noon
USA: Noon – 5:30 p.m.
NBC: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
CNBC: 5 p.m. – 5 a.m.
MSNBC: 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
NBC: 8 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
NBC: 12:35 a.m. – 2 a.m.
NBC: 2 a.m. – 5 a.m.
MSNBC: 3 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.

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Winter Dew Tour’s Penultimate Event This Weekend With Wendy’s Invitational On NBC & USA

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Professional Bull Riding Rounds Out NBC Sports’ Weekend Coverage


NEW YORK – January 14, 2010 – NBC Sports presents live coverage of the Winter Dew Tour from Snowbasin in Ogden, Utah, the second of three stops of the Winter Dew Tour’s sophomore season. The three-stop tour features over 100 of the best winter action sports athletes competing for their sport’s only regular season crown – the Winter Dew Cup – and a $1.5 million prize purse. NBC Sports’ live coverage of Freestyle Skiing Superpipe airs this Saturday 1-3 p.m. ET, and Snowboard Slopestyle airs 3-4:30 p.m. ET this Sunday. USA Network will air late-night coverage of Snowboard Superpipe Saturday at midnight ET/PT and Freestyle Skiing Slopestyle Sunday, at 2 a.m. ET/PT.

The competition features the best athletes in the world of snowboard and freeskiing, including Freeski icon Simon Dumont who will be vying for the Wendy’s Invitational title in both slopestyle and superpipe, and Olympic snowboard hopefuls Danny Davis, Mason Aguirre and Steve Fisher will also compete.

NBC’s Pat Parnell (play-by-play), Todd Richards (analyst), Luke Van Valin (freeskiing analyst) and Tiffany Simons (reporter) call the action from Snowbasin.

Upcoming Winter Dew Tour Events on NBC Sports:
Toyota Championship, Mount Snow, West Dover, Vt., Feb. 6, 2010 (12-3 p.m., ET)

PBR, Saturday, 3 PM ET
NBC Sports presents taped coverage of the Professional Bull Riders’ Sacramento Classic from the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif., this Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET.

This event features rides by top athletes including 2009 PBR World Champion Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) and 2007 and 2009 NYC champion J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.). Lostroh is the reigning 2009 World Champion and Mauney is currently ranked No. 1 in the 2010 world standings. Both believe the two bulls selected for the challenge give them a chance at $10,000 in bonus money.

NBC’s Craig Hummer, Justin McKee, Ty Murray, Donna Brothers and Justin McBride call the action.

Universal Sports At The Vancouver Games To Complement NBC Universal’s Multi-Network Coverage Of The Vancouver Olympic Games

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UNIVERSAL SPORTS AT THE VANCOUVER GAMES TO COMPLEMENT NBC UNIVERSAL’S MULTI-NETWORK COVERAGE OF THE VANCOUVER OLYMPIC GAMES

Universal Sports to air more than 80 hours of daily Olympic news and information during the 2010 Games; Plus, nightly Olympic news studio show now airing as COUNTDOWN TO VANCOUVER

NEW YORK and WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., January 4, 2010: In a network first, Universal Sports will present Universal Sports at the Vancouver Games, delivering five hours of live daily news and information through five newly-created studio shows, as well as continuous news and results updates throughout the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Universal Sports at the Vancouver Games begins Friday, February 12, the first day of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, and continues until the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, February 28.  The shows will originate from sets in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, as well as from Universal Sports’ network facilities in Westlake Village, California.

Throughout the Vancouver Games, the daily five-hour news and information block begins at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT.  Programming elements also include continuous studio news updates every 30 minutes, as well as a live, up-to-date Olympic results ticker.  The format is geared to supplying viewers with an in-depth, daily dose of Olympic news and information, including interviews, results and analysis, as well as constant information and direction on where to view NBC’s multiplatform coverage of the Games, whether on broadcast, cable, video-on-demand, the internet or wireless platforms.

“Bringing Universal Sports to the Olympics enables us to open up a new dimension in how we cover the Games,” said Gary Zenkel, President of NBC Olympics. “For the first time we will have a platform that allows us to pause from coverage and focus attention on the evolving stories and excitement of the Olympic Games.”

“Universal Sports will offer ongoing, daily Winter Olympics news to help an already savvy audience stay on top of what is happening in Vancouver, and direct fans to more of their favorite Olympic events on each NBCU sister network and nbcolympics.com,” Universal Sports Chairman & CEO Claude Ruibal said. “This is incredibly valuable to our affiliates, our advertisers and, most importantly, the fans and our viewers.”

Universal Sports at the Vancouver Games Daily Programming Block (times and programming elements subject to change):

10-11:30 a.m. ET: Vancouver Olympic News Center – This studio show reviews action from the previous day, with extended highlights, results, interviews and analysis, as well as previews of that day’s upcoming action. This show includes roundtable sessions with guests, newsmakers, athletes and analysts.

11:30-12 noon ET: “Medals & Music” – Special presentation of the medal ceremonies and musical concerts from the Olympics plus highlights and interviews with the Olympic medalists.

12-12:30 p.m. ET: “Meet the Olympic Press” – This show includes a cast of rotating U.S. and Olympic beat reporters as they discuss the developing stories and hot topics from the Winter Games.

12:30-1:30 p.m. ET: Reprise of Vancouver Olympic News Center

1:30-2 p.m. ET: “Olympic Review/Preview” – This show focuses on the Games’ individual sports, with in-depth analysis of each, plus results, previews and key statistics and information from each venue. Guests include NBC Sports and Universal Sports Olympic commentators, plus athlete interviews from on-location venue reporters.

2-3 p.m. ET: “The Vancouver Figure Skating Hour” – A look back on and ahead to primetime figure skating, detailing key athletes, competitions and storylines. Includes continuing news updates and live results ticker.

10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (ET): Live Updates – During the five-hour block, there will be Live Olympic news updates starting at 10:30 a.m. ET and then continuing at the top of ever hour until 4 p.m. ET, with a news ticker providing round-the-clock results.

With only weeks remaining until the Vancouver Games, serious Olympic fans looking for a timely daily dose of pre-Games news and information are tuning in nightly to Countdown to Vancouver.  Countdown to Vancouver, airing nightly at 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. ET can run as long as 30 minutes, and includes the latest updates from around the world, as Olympic-caliber athletes enter the crucial, final days of training and competition, with many still battling to qualify for Olympic team berths.

Countdown to Vancouver is anchored by Olympians such as freestyle skier Jeremy Bloom. Nightly content includes breaking news, competition highlights, and vignettes, as Universal Sports tracks the fortunes of 2010 Olympic prospects, including Alpine ski racer and reigning World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn; short track speed skater and five-time Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno; and reigning halfpipe gold medalist Shaun White.

The evening Countdown shows in January and into early February will build drama and awareness toward the Feb. 12 debut of Universal Sports at the Vancouver Games.

Universal Sports at the Vancouver Games will also include an outstanding Olympic Winter Games announcing roster, to be announced soon, with expertise that will serve as the foundation of this unprecedented daytime Olympic television news destination for NBCU’s fast-growing, all-sports network. As the drama of Vancouver unfolds, viewers can rely on daily analysis by celebrated U.S. Olympians, analysts, renowned commentators, and seasoned journalists, as they follow the athletes, the competition and the scene in and around Vancouver and Whistler.

ABOUT UNIVERSAL SPORTS: Universal Sports, a partnership between NBC Sports and InterMedia Partners, serves as the preeminent multiplatform destination for Olympic-related and lifestyle sports programming available on television and online. Universal Sports, available in more than 57 million homes, is in nine of the top 10 DMAs including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Francisco, Atlanta, Washington D.C. and Houston, plus Seattle and Denver. Major world championship and Olympic qualifying events found on Universal Sports range from track and field, skiing, swimming, gymnastics, marathons and cycling, to volleyball, rowing, triathlon, fencing, speed skating and martial arts. UniversalSports.com delivers an immersive experience via live and on-demand competition coverage, as well as interaction with top athletes through blogs and in-depth access to Olympic sports news and information year round. For more information on the availability of the Universal Sports 24-hour television channel, please visit UniversalSports.tv.

USA Gymnastics, NBC Sports, Universal Sports Announce Partnership Through 2012

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NEW YORK and INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – August 12, 2009 – Leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games, gymnastics fans will have more ways to follow USA Gymnastics than ever before with coverage on broadcast and cable television and the Web. USA Gymnastics has extended its partnership with NBC Sports for broadcast television coverage through 2012. In addition, USA Gymnastics has named Universal Sports as its official cable and digital media partner for this quadrennium. The 2009 Visa Championships will feature live coverage across the broadcast, cable and digital platforms.

“Increasing exposure of USA Gymnastics on broadcast, cable and the Web is a cornerstone of our business plan for this quad,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “USA Gymnastics and NBC Sports have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership, and our relationship with NBC Sports is fundamental to providing value to our sponsors. The addition of Universal Sports enables us to capitalize on the opportunities available through its digital, cable and Web assets. USA Gymnastics is now vertically integrated into the three media platforms, and our fans will have the opportunity to follow the USA’s top gymnasts to a greater degree.”

“Our relationship with USA Gymnastics is central to NBC Sports’ and Universal Sports’ long-term commitment to be the home for Olympic sports and America’s exceptional Olympic athletes in between the Games.” said Gary Zenkel, President NBC Olympics.

NBC Sports will continue to cover USA Gymnastics’ premier events, such as the Tyson American Cup and Visa Championships, along with the Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships and the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. Through its relationship with the International Gymnastics Federation, Universal Sports will carry extensive coverage of the World Championships and other international events, as well as expanded coverage of USA Gymnastics events and encore presentations of NBC Sports broadcasts. The agreement extends through 2012.

“This partnership allows us to expand our existing coverage of gymnastics with the full season of USA Gymnastics offerings and deliver it on a multiplatform basis, providing fans the opportunity to see these events whenever and wherever they want all year long,” said Claude Ruibal, CEO of Universal Sports.

For the 2009 Visa Championships, NBC Sports is carrying the final day of the women’s competition live in primetime on Aug.15, with a recap of the men’s final competition scheduled for Aug. 15 in the afternoon. Universal Sports will carry live simultaneous cable and Web coverage of the evening sessions on Aug. 13-14 and will re-air the NBC Sports broadcasts on a delayed basis.

The combined NBC Sports, Universal Sports and UniversalSports.com schedule is:

UNIVERSAL SPORTS AND UNIVERSALSPORTS.COM
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13
8 10 p.m. ET (LIVE TV and Online) Senior women’s first day of competition

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
8 10 p.m. ET (LIVE TV and Online) Senior men’s final day of competition

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
8 – 10 p.m. ET (LIVE online) – Senior women’s final day of competition
10 p.m. 12 a.m. ET (same day tape – TV) Senior women’s final competition reair

NBC SPORTS
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
3 4 p.m. ET (tape) Senior men’s competition recap
8 10 p.m. ET (Finals, LIVE) Senior women’s final day of competition

Universal Sports and USA Gymnastics will work together to develop new content for universalsports.com. The two will also work cooperatively to promote event coverage, to provide promotional space on usa-gymnastics.org, and to maximize opportunities provided through their individual promotional assets. Earlier in 2009, Universal Sports carried a simulcast of NBC Sports’ broadcast of the Tyson American Cup and, most recently, provided both cable and Web coverage of the CoverGirl Classic.

About NBC Sports
NBC Sports, known for amassing large audiences while presenting the most prestigious properties in sports, represents superior production that elevates sport, broad promotion and mutually-beneficial partnerships.

As evidence of NBC Sports’ ability to amass large audiences, over the past year, NBC Sports broadcast two record-breaking television events: The Beijing Olympic Games, the most watched event in U.S. television history with 215 million viewers and Super Bowl XLIII, which achieved the largest single audience in U.S. television history with a record 152 million viewers. NBC Sports is now home to eight of the top ten most-watched events in U.S. television history.

NBC Sports partners with many of the most powerful brands in sports. NBC Sports has broadcast 16 Super Bowls, tied with CBS for the most Super Bowls broadcast by a single network. As America’s Olympic Network, NBC has broadcast more Olympics than any other network and owns the rights to the Olympic Games through 2012. NBC is also home to “NBC Sunday Night Football,” the premier primetime NFL game of the week. Other prestigious NBC Sports properties include Notre Dame football, the U.S. Open Championship, The Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Wimbledon, French Open and the Stanley Cup Final.

About Universal Sports
Universal Sports, a partnership between NBC Sports and InterMedia Partners, serves as the preeminent multiplatform destination for Olympic-related and lifestyle sports programming available on television and online. Universal Sports, available in 56 million homes, is in nine of the top 10 DMAs including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Francisco, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Houston, Seattle and Denver. Major world championship and Olympic qualifying events found on Universal Sports range from track and field, skiing, swimming, gymnastics, marathons and cycling, to volleyball, rowing, triathlon, fencing, speed skating and martial arts. UniversalSports.com delivers an immersive experience via live and on-demand competition coverage, as well as interaction with top athletes through blogs and in-depth access to Olympic sports news and information year round. For more information on the availability of the Universal Sports 24-hour television channel, please visit UniversalSports.tv.

About USA Gymnastics
Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more complete information, log on to http://www.usa-gymnastics.org.

Chris Marlowe and Paul Sunderland Reunited for NBC Sports’ Coverage of the AVP Live From Coney Island

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Universal Sports To Broadcast Semifinals Live

“We’re like oil and water. Different in style, different in opinion.”– NBC’s Sunderland

NEW YORK- July 1, 2009– Fourth of July weekend is highlighted by the reunion of two of volleyball’s broadcasting powerhouses, Chris Marlowe and Paul Sunderland. Marlowe and Sunderland first called volleyball games together in 1985 and are together again for the first time in a decade this weekend at the AVP Coney Island Open in Brooklyn, N.Y. NBC Sports will present live high-definition coverage of the women’s final on Saturday and the men’s final on Sunday beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET. Universal Sports will provide live coverage of women’s semifinal round on Saturday and the men’s semifinal round on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.

Marlowe and Sunderland first met playing volleyball on the beaches of Santa Monica in the early 1970’s. In 1975, the two first played together on the U.S. National Indoor Volleyball Team and in 1984 won the Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles. In 1985, Marlowe and Sunderland called their first match together between San Diego State and Pepperdine. They made their Olympic debut as a broadcasting duo at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona and then teamed up again in Atlanta and Sydney.

COVERAGE ON UNIVERSAL SPORTS:
Universal Sports will broadcast 12 hours of live semifinal coverage for events in Coney Island, Hermosa Beach and the Cup Championship in Chicago and will re-air all 12 hours of the finals after the live broadcast on NBC. UniversalSports.com will also live stream each semifinal event with on-demand video of the semifinals and finals available online for two weeks after each competition.

This weekend’s coverage highlights the surging top men’s team Sean Scott and John Hyden and Olympian Kevin Wong and partner Matt Olson as they battle it out on the men’s side, while the surprise story of the summer Brooke Hanson and Lisa Rutledge look for their first championship win with Olympians Jenny Johnson Jordan and Annett Davis on their heels.

ALLI AMA MOTOCROSS, SATURDAY, 3:30 PM ET
NBC Sports presents live coverage of the ALLI AMA Motocross from 3:30 p.m. ET. The coverage features the sixth stop of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship from the Redbud stadium in Buchanan, Michigan.

The 450 Class Motocross race will be the spotlight of NBC’s coverage where top competitors Tommy Hahn, Ivan Tedesco, and Andrew Short look to take the 2009 title.

Commentary provided by David Bailey, Jamie Bestwick, and Tiffany Simons.

HY-VEE TRIATHALON, SUNDAY, 3 PM ET
NBC presents coverage of the 2009 Hy-Vee Triathlon this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET from Des Moines, Iowa.

Elite women Emma Moffatt and Emma Snowsill (Australia) along with Lauren Groves (Canada) lead the competition for the women. Simon Whitfield (Canada) and Brad Kahlefeldt (Australia) lead the competition for the men. The elite team competition will be a competitive and close race between teams Switzerland, Canada, Australia and United States.

Jim Kozimor and Siri Lindley will provide commentary.

SPORTS EVENTS ON NBC July 1 – August 9, 2009

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(All Times Eastern Unless Noted)

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
WOMEN’S SWIMMING EVENTS – “GIRLS SWIM FAST TOO”
Site: Beijing, China
9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (same day)
Site: Stavanger, Norway
11 p.m. – 1 a.m.
WOMEN’S SWIMMING EVENTS – “GIRLS SWIM FAST TOO” (re-air)
Site: Beijing, China

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
WIMBLEDON (live and tape)
Commentators: Ted Robinson, John McEnroe, Mary Carillo, Jimmy Roberts
Site: London, England
*Available in High Definition

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
THURSDAY, JULY 2
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
U.S. MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM—”THE REDEEM TEAM”
Site: Beijing, China
9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (same day)
Site: Stavanger, Norway
11 p.m. – 1 a.m.
U.S. MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM—”THE REDEEM TEAM” (re-air)
Site: Beijing, China

THURSDAY, JULY 2
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
WIMBLEDON (live and tape)
Commentators: Ted Robinson, John McEnroe, Mary Carillo, Jimmy Roberts
Site: London, England
*Available in High Definition

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
FRIDAY, JULY 3
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
IAAF GOLDEN LEAGUE – BISLETT GAMES (same day)
Site: Oslo/Bislett, Norway
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS EVENT FINALS – “LAST CHANCE FOR GOLD”
Site: Beijing, China
9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (same day)
Site: Stavanger, Norway
11 p.m. – 1 a.m.
WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS EVENT FINALS – “LAST CHANCE FOR GOLD” (re-air)
Site: Beijing, China

FRIDAY, JULY 3
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
WIMBLEDON (live and tape)
Commentators: Ted Robinson, John McEnroe, Mary Carillo, Jimmy Roberts
Site: London, England
*Available in High Definition

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
SATURDAY, JULY 4
2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
AVP PRO BEACH VOLLEYBALL – SEMI-FINALS (live)
Site: Brooklyn, New York
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
AVP PRO BEACH VOLLEYBALL – NBC SHOW (same day)
Site: Brooklyn, New York
9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (same day)
Site: Stavanger, Norway

SATURDAY, JULY 4
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
WIMBLEDON (live and tape)
Commentators: Ted Robinson, John McEnroe, Mary Carillo, Jimmy Roberts
Site: London, England
*Available in High Definition
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
U.S. OPEN CHALLENGE (tape)
Commentators: Dan Hicks, Roger Maltbie, Mark Rolfing
Site: Bethpage, NY
*Available in High Definition
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
AMA MOTOCROSS (live)
Commentators: David Bailey, Jamie Bestwick, Tiffany Simons
Site: Buchanan, MI
*Available in High Definition
4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
AVP CONEY ISLAND OPEN(live)
Commentators: Chris Marlowe, Paul Sunderland, Heather Cox
Site: Coney Island, NY
*Available in High Definition

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
SUNDAY, JULY 5
2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
AVP PRO BEACH VOLLEYBALL – SEMI-FINALS (live)
Site: Brooklyn, New York
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
AVP PRO BEACH VOLLEYBALL – NBC SHOW (same day)
Site: Brooklyn, New York
9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (same day)
Site: Stavanger, Norway

SUNDAY, JULY 5
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
WIMBLEDON (live and tape)
Commentators: Ted Robinson, John McEnroe, Mary Carillo, Jimmy Roberts
Site: London, England
*Available in High Definition
3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
HY-VEE TRIATHLON (tape)
Commentators: Jim Kozimor, Siri Lindley
Site: Des Moines, IA
*Available in High Definition
4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
AVP CONEY ISLAND OPEN(live)
Commentators: Chris Marlowe, Paul Sunderland, Heather Cox
Site: Coney Island, NY
*Available in High Definitio

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
TUESDAY, JULY 7
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
IAAF WORLD ATHLETICS TOUR SUPER GRAND PRIX – ATHLETISSIMA (same day)
Site: Lusanne, Switzerland
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
2009 CONOCO PHILIPS USA SWIMMING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (live)
Site: Indianapolis, Indiana

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
2009 CONOCO PHILIPS USA SWIMMING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (live)
Site: Indianapolis, Indiana

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
FRIDAY, JULY 10
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
IAAF GOLDEN LEAGUE—GOLDEN GALA ROME (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
SATURDAY, JULY 11
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
EQUESTRIAN GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR (same day)
Site: Estoril, Portugal
9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD TOUR—WOMEN’S GRAND SLAM BRONZE & GOLD MEDAL (same day)
Site: Gstaad, Switzerland

SATURDAY, JULY 11
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
U.S. NATIONALS SWIMMING (tape)
Commentators: Ted Robinson, Rowdy Gaines, Alex Flanagan
Site: Indianapolis, IN
*Available in High Definition
3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN (live)
Commentators: Dan Hicks, Johnny Miller, Dottie Pepper, Gary Koch, Roger Maltbie, Jane Crafter, Kay Cockerill
Site: Saucon Valley CC, Bethlehem, PA
*Available in High Definition

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
SUNDAY, JULY 12
9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD TOUR – MEN’S GRAND SLAM BRONZE & GOLD MEDAL (same day)
Site: Gstaad, Switzerland

SUNDAY, JULY 12
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
U.S. NATIONALS SWIMMING(tape)
Commentators: Ted Robinson, Rowdy Gaines, Alex Flanagan
Site: Indianapolis, IN
*Available in High Definition
3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN (live)
Commentators: Dan Hicks, Johnny Miller, Dottie Pepper, Gary Koch, Roger Maltbie, Jane Crafter, Kay Cockerill
Site: Saucon Valley CC, Bethlehem, PA
*Available in High Definition

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
FRIDAY, JULY 17
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
IAAF GOLDEN LEAGUE—MEETING PARIS SAINT-DENIS (same day)
Site: Paris/St. Denis, France
8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
SATURDAY, JULY 18
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD TOUR – WOMEN’S GRAND SLAM BRONZE & GOLD MEDAL (same day)
Site: Moscow, Russia
8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

SATURDAY, JULY 18
3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
AMERICAN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP (live)
Commentators: Dan Hicks, Roger Maltbie, Gary Koch, Mark Rolfing, Jimmy Roberts
Site: Lake Tahoe, NV
*Available in High Definition

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
SUNDAY, JULY 19
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD TOUR – MEN’S GRAND SLAM BRONZE & GOLD MEDAL MATCH (same day)
Site: Moscow, Russia
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

SUNDAY, JULY 19
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
ALLI MALOOF MONEY CUP (tape)
Commentators: Tiffany Simons
Site: Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa, CA
*Available in High Definition
3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
AMERICAN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP (live)
Commentators: Dan Hicks, Roger Maltbie, Gary Koch, Mark Rolfing, Jimmy Roberts
Site: Lake Tahoe, NV
*Available in High Definition

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
MONDAY, JULY 20
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
TUESDAY, JULY 21
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
THURSDAY, JULY 23
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
FRIDAY, JULY 24
3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
IAAF WORLD ATHLETICS TOUR SUPER GRAND PRIX – DAY 1 (same day)
Site: London, Great Britain
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
SATURDAY, JULY 25
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
IAAF WORLD ATHLETICS TOUR SUPER GRAND PRIX – DAY 2 (same day)
Site: London, Great Britain
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

SATURDAY, JULY 25
2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (Encore) (tape)
Commentators: Al Trautwig
Site: Hawaii
*Available in High Definition
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
ALLI DEW TOUR SKATE OPEN (live)
Commentators: Kenan Harkin, Chris Miller, Paul Zitzer, Tiffany Simons
Site: Boston, MA
*Available in High Definition

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
SUNDAY, JULY 26
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD TOUR – WOMEN’S GRAND SLAM BRONZE & GOLD MEDAL MATCH (same day)
Site: Marseille, France
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD TOUR – MEN’S GRAND SLAM BRONZE & GOLD MEDAL MATCH (same day)
Site: Marseille, France
8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

SUNDAY, JULY 26
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Commentators: Rowdy Gaines, Dan Hicks, Andrea Kremer
Site: Rome, Italy
*Available in High Definition
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
ALLI DEW TOUR SKATE OPEN (live)
Commentators: Kenan Harkin, Chris Miller, Paul Zitzer, Tiffany Simons
Site: Boston, MA
*Available in High Definition

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
MONDAY, JULY 27
7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
TUESDAY, JULY 28
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – SWIMMING FINALS (live)
Site: Rome, Italy
3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
IAAF WORLD ATHLETICS TOUR SUPER GRAND PRIX – DAY 1 (same day)
Site: Monte Carlo, Monaco
7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – SWIMMING FINALS (live)
Site: Rome, Italy
7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
THURSDAY, JULY 30
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – SWIMMING FINALS (live)
Site: Rome, Italy
7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
FRIDAY, JULY 31
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – SWIMMING FINALS (live)
Site: Rome, Italy
3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
IAAF WORLD ATHLETICS TOUR SUPER GRAND PRIX – DAY 1 (same day)
Site: Stockholm, Sweden
7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD TOUR – WOMEN’S GRAND SLAM BRONZE & GOLD MEDAL MATCH (same day)
Site: Klagenfurt, Austria
7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Commentators: Rowdy Gaines, Dan Hicks, Andrea Kremer
Site: Rome, Italy
*Available in High Definition
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
U.S. JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS (B&G) (tape)
Commentators: TBA
Site: TBA
*Available in High Definition
3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
U.S. SENIOR OPEN (live)
Commentators: TBA
Site: Crooked Stick Golf Club – Carmel, IN
*Available in High Definition

UNIVERSAL SPORTS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2
11:50 a.m. – 2:05 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – SWIMMING FINALS (live)
Site: Rome, Italy
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD TOUR – MEN’S GRAND SLAM BRONZE & GOLD MEDAL MATCH (same day)
Site: Klagenfurt, Austria
7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FINA SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRIME TIME SHOW (same day)
Site: Rome, Italy

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Commentators: Rowdy Gaines, Dan Hicks, Andrea Kremer
Site: Rome, Italy
*Available in High Definition
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
AFLAC IRON GIRL (tape)
Commentators: TBA
Site: Atlanta, GA
*Available in High Definition
3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
U.S. SENIOR OPEN (live)
Commentators: TBA
Site: Crooked Stick Golf Club – Carmel, IN
*Available in High Definition

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
HAMBLETONIAN
Commentators: TBA
Site: Meadowlands, NJ
*Available in High Definition
4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
AVP HERMOSA BEACH presented by Bud Light (live)
Commentators: Chris Marlowe, Paul Sunderland, Heather Cox
Site: Hermosa Beach, CA
*Available in High Definition

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
AMERICAN LEMANS
Commentators: TBA
Site: Mid-Ohio
*Available in High Definition
4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
AVP HERMOSA BEACH presented by Bud Light (live)
Commentators: Chris Marlowe, Paul Sunderland, Heather Cox
Site: Hermosa Beach, CA
*Available in High Definition
8 p.m. – Conclusion
NFL PRE-SEASON WEEK: (Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans) (live)
Commentators: Al Michaels, John Madden, Andrea Kremer
Site: Canton, OH

Michael Phelps First Competition Since Beijing Live on Universal Sports

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MICHAEL PHELPS FIRST COMPETITON SINCE BEIJING LIVE ON UNIVERSAL SPORTS

Live TV and Online Coverage of 2009 Charlotte UltraSwim Begins Friday

LOS ANGELES – May 12, 2009 – Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in U.S. history with 14 gold medals and 16 total medals takes his first dip in the pool since the Beijing Games at the 2009 Charlotte UltraSwim LIVE on Universal Sports beginning this Friday. He is joined by Olympians Ryan Lochte, Katie Hoff, Aaron Peirsol and Cullen Jones in the first major swimming meet for Team USA since the Beijing Olympic Games. Universal Sports presents LIVE coverage of the event from Charlotte, North Carolina, starting with Phelps’ first heat in the pool, this Friday at 10 a.m. ET. Live TV and online coverage will continue with the remaining heats from 6 – 8 p.m. ET this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Phelps plans to race the 100m butterfly; 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle; and the 100m backstroke events.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist and NBC Sports Olympic swimming analyst Rowdy Gaines will provide commentary for the event alongside Steve Schlanger.

COVERAGE ON UNIVERSAL SPORTS AND UNIVERSALSPORTS.COM: Universal Sports, available in 45 million homes, and UniversalSports.com will present live coverage of the Charlotte UltraSwim events beginning this Friday. Complete racing schedule, as well as highlights, full-length videos, photos, breaking news and more available at UniversalSports.com/swimming.

Date Events Time (all times ET)

Friday 200m FREESTYLE HEATS (LIVE) 10 – 10:30 a.m.
DAY 1 (LIVE) 6 – 8 p.m.
Saturday DAY 2 (LIVE) 6 – 8 p.m.
Sunday DAY 3 (LIVE) 6 – 8 p.m.

MICHAEL PHELPS FIRST DIP IN THE POOL SINCE BEIJING: Michael Phelps will be competing for the first time since his appearance at the 2008 Beijing Olympic games where he captured eight gold medals, setting the record for most gold medals ever won at a single Olympics and his 14 total gold medals and 16 total Olympic medals makes him the most decorated U.S. Olympian in history.

ABOUT THE EVENT: The Charlotte UltraSwim is the fifth stop on the USA Swimming Grand Prix Series. The series has included Grand Prix events in Minneapolis, Long Beach (Calif.), Columbia (Mo.), Austin (Texas), and will conclude with Santa Clara International Grand Prix from June 11-14. The swimmer with the most points at the end of the series will be the winner of the $20,000 grand prize. Michael Phelps was the winner of the 2007-2008 Grand Prix Series and received the first ever $20,000 grand prize offered for the event.

ABOUT UNIVERSAL SPORTS: Universal Sports, a partnership between NBC Sports and InterMedia Partners, serves as the preeminent multiplatform destination for Olympic-related and lifestyle sports programming available on television and online. Universal Sports is a 24-hour television channel now available in nine of the top 10 DMAs including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas-Fort Worth and Washington, D.C. Recent expansion includes launches in Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Denver, Portland, and Jacksonville. Major world championship and Olympic qualifying events found on Universal Sports range from track and field, skiing, swimming, gymnastics, marathons and cycling, to volleyball, rowing, triathlon, fencing, speed skating and martial arts. UniversalSports.com delivers an immersive experience via live and on-demand competition coverage, interaction with top athletes through blogs and in-depth access to Olympic sports news and information year round. For more information on the availability of the Universal Sports 24-hour television channel, please visit UniversalSports.TV

Team USA Faces Rival Finland As Universal Sports Broadcasts 2009 Iihf Men’s World Hockey Championships

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TEAM USA FACES RIVAL FINLAND AS UNIVERSAL SPORTS BROADCASTS 2009 IIHF MEN’S WORLD HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS

TV and Live Online Coverage starts Tomorrow at 10:15 a.m. ET

Gold Medal Game Live Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET

LOS ANGELES – May 5, 2009 – Team USA faces perennial rival Finland, the team that has eliminated the U.S. from the last two World Championships, in a quarterfinal match as Universal Sports presents coverage of the 2009 IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championships from Berne, Switzerland, including live coverage of the gold medal game. Live online coverage begins tomorrow at 10:15 a.m. ET, with live TV coverage starting with the Finland vs. USA quarterfinal match tomorrow at 2:30 ET.

The Universal Sports broadcast team consists of the Los Angeles Kings’ play-by-play announcer Nick Nickson joined by former Kings forward Daryl Evans.

COVERAGE ON UNIVERSAL SPORTS: Universal Sports, available in 45 million homes, will present more than 20 hours of coverage starting with the Finland vs. USA quarterfinal matchup tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. ET and will continue through to the medal matches. The gold medal game will be shown live on Universal Sports on Sunday at 2:30 p.m., ET.

Date Events Time (all times Eastern)
Wed. FIN vs. USA (LIVE) 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
RUS vs. BLR 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Thurs. SWE vs. CZE (LIVE) 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
CAN vs. LAT 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Fri. Semifinal #1 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Semifinal #2 9 –11:30 p.m.
Sun. Bronze Medal Game (LIVE) 10 – 1:30 p.m.*
Gold Medal Game (LIVE) 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.

LIVE COVERAGE ON UNIVERSALSPORTS.COM: UniversalSports.com will begin its coverage with a live webcast of the Russia vs. Belarus game tomorrow at 10:15 a.m. ET. Log onto UniversalSports.com/hockey for the complete schedule, video highlights, recaps and photo galleries.

Date Events Time (all times Eastern)
Wed. RUS vs. BLR 10:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
FIN vs. USA 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Thurs. CAN vs. LAT 10:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
SWE vs. CZE 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Fri. Semifinal #1 10:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Semifinal #2 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Sun. Bronze Medal Game 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.*
Gold Medal Game 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.

*Schedules subject to change, coverage available only in the U.S. and territories.

TOURNAMENT: Team USA has been eliminated four straight years in quarterfinal play from the last two years by Finland. The winner of this match-up will face the winner of the Russia vs. Belarus game, while the winner of Canada vs. Latvia plays the winner of Sweden vs. Czech Republic.

TEAM USA ROSTER: The 2009 U.S. team includes Head Coach Ron Wilson (Riverside, R.I.) and Assistant Coaches Scott Gordon (Easton, Mass.) and Joe Sacco (Medford, Mass.). Wilson, currently the head coach at the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, will also coach the 2010 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team at the Vancouver Olympics. USA hockey has won gold medals at the IIHF World Women’s Under-18 Championship, the Men’s Under-18 Championship and at the Women’s World Championship this year.

Name Hometown
Goaltenders
Scott Clemmensen Des Moines, Iowa
Robert Esche Utica, N.Y.
Al Montoya Chicago, Ill
Defensemen
Keith Ballard Baudette, Minn.
Zach Bogosian Massena, N.Y.
Ron Hainsey Bolton, Conn.
Jack Johnson Indianapolis, Ind.
John-Michael Liles Indianapolis, Ind.
Matt Niskanen Virginia, Minn.
Ryan Suter Madison, Wis.
Forwards
David Backes Minneapolis, Minn.
Jason Blake Moorhead, Minn.
Dustin Brown Ithaca, N.Y.
Nick Foligno Buffalo, N.Y.
Peter Harrold Kirtland Hills, Ohio
Christopher Higgins Smithtown, N.Y.
Kyle Okposo St. Paul, Minn
T.J. Oshie Warroad, Minn.
Patrick O’Sullivan Winston-Salem, N.C.
Joe Pavelski Stevens Point, Wis.
Ryan Shannon Darien, Conn.
Drew Stafford Milwaukee, Wis.
Lee Stempniak West Seneca, N.Y.
Colin Stuart Rochester, Minn.
Colin Wilson Greenwich, Conn.

ABOUT UNIVERSAL SPORTS: Universal Sports, a partnership between NBC Sports and InterMedia Partners, serves as the preeminent multiplatform destination for Olympic-related and lifestyle sports programming available on television and online. Universal Sports is a 24-hour television channel available in 45 million television households in markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., San Diego, San Francisco, Denver, Seattle, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Reno and Omaha. Major world championship and Olympic qualifying events found on Universal Sports range from track and field, skiing, swimming, gymnastics, marathons and cycling, to volleyball, rowing, triathlon, fencing, speed skating and martial arts. UniversalSports.com delivers an immersive experience via live and on-demand competition coverage, interaction with top athletes through blogs and in-depth access to Olympic sports news and information year round. For more information on the availability of the Universal Sports 24-hour television channel, please visit UniversalSports.com