FOX Sports Programming Highlights: NASCAR, UFC, Soccer & More

FOX SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS – 3 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

NASCAR: Sprint Cup Series Race Honors FOX NASCAR’s Steve Byrnes

During Ongoing Battle with Cancer

UFC: Top-Ranked Middleweights Machida, Rockhold

Headline UFC Fight Night on FOX

SOCCER: FA Cup Semifinals on FOX and FOX Sports 1 This Weekend

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BASEBALL

FOX MLB 2015 OPENS SECOND WEEK WITH AL EAST SHOWDOWNS

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, Saturday, April 18
  • Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox: Kenny Albert, Tom Verducci & Ken Rosenthal (4:00 PM ET)
  • New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays: Justin Kutcher & Brian Anderson (9:00 PM ET)
• This Week: Analysts Eric Karros and Raul Ibanez preview the upcoming day of MLB action including a special feature on the Boston Red Sox alongside host Kevin Burkhardt.  Additionally, Karros reveals who he thinks the new Yankees ‘franchise four’ needs to be for success.

MLB WHIPAROUND

• Network/When/On-air Talent: FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, weekdays
• Talent: Kevin Burkhardt, Raul Ibanez, Mark Sweeney
  • Thursday, April 16 (7:00 PM ET)
  • Friday, April 17 (1:00 AM ET)
  • Monday, April 20 (7:00 PM ET
  • Tuesday, April 21 (7:00 PM ET)
  • Wednesday, April 22 (7:00 PM ET)
• Show Description: MLB WHIPAROUND is FOX Sports 1’s nightly in-progress highlights and analysis studio show.  The 60-minute program features live look-ins at games from across the country, courtesy of FOX Sports’ Regional Sports Networks, in addition to recaps and analysis from some of the games most respected journalists and former players.

NASCAR

FOX SPORTS HONORS ITS OWN WITH FOOD CITY 500 IN SUPPORT OF STEVE BYRNES AND STAND UP TO CANCER SUNDAY AT BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY 

FOX NASCAR broadcasts a NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES race near and dear to the FOX Sports family’s heart this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. In recognition of FOX Sports broadcaster Steve Byrnes’ courageous and ongoing battle with head-and-neck cancer, FOX Sports, in coordination with Bristol Motor Speedway, Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI), Stand Up To Cancer and NASCAR, is naming the April 19 NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES race from Bristol the FOOD CITY 500 IN SUPPORT OF STEVE BYRNES AND STAND UP TO CANCER.

The event, live on FOX, pays tribute to Byrnes, a NASCAR television mainstay for 30 years, while also serving as a vehicle of support and awareness for all those battling cancer.

Byrnes, co-host of NASCAR RACE HUB and play-by-play announcer for the NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES, is on a medical leave of absence while he undergoes treatment. He has been part of the FOX NASCAR broadcast team since its inaugural year of NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES coverage in 2001.

FOX Sports offers 18.5 hours of live coverage of the NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES and NASCAR XFINITY SERIES from Bristol, culminating with the NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES race live on FOX on Sunday, April 19 (1:00 PM ET), with pre-race coverage beginning on FOX NASCAR SUNDAY at 12:30 PM ET

Jimmie Johnson took the checkered flag last week at Texas for his second victory of the season.  Defending champion Kevin Harvick scored a runner-up finish, marking his ninth top-two finish in the last 10 races.  Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Harvick, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano likely have locked up spots in the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup via wins in the season’s seven opening races.

Four-time NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES champion Jeff Gordon, in his final year of competition, again serves as race analyst for FOX Sports 1’s NASCAR XFINITY SERIES race coverage on Saturday (1:30 PM ET).  Gordon made his debut in the FOX Sports 1 booth last week at Texas.  He also is scheduled to offer analysis from Talladega on May 2 (1:30 PM ET) on FOX.  Gordon is one of five NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES drivers announced as part of a rotation in the FOX and FOX Sports 1 booth for FOX Sports’ coverage of the 2015 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES season.  Also scheduled as guest analysts this season are defending champion Harvick, 2012 champ Keselowski, Clint Bowyer and Danica Patrick.  This season, FOX Sports adds coverage of the NASCAR XFINITY SERIES for the first 14 races of the year.  FOX Sports 1 telecasts 10 of the events while FOX broadcasts the races from Phoenix, Talladega, Charlotte and Dover.

In the NASCAR XFINITY SERIES, Ty Dillon leads Chris Buescher (-2), defending champion Chase Elliott (-9), Darrell Wallace Jr. (-15) and Ryan Reed (-22) after six races. At Bristol Motor Speedway, FOX Sports coverage of the NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES and NASCAR XFINITY SERIES on-track sessions begins with Cup Series practice on Friday, April 17 at 12:00 PM ET.

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES RACING

• Network/When:  FOX & FOX Sports GO, Sunday, April 19 (1:00 PM ET)
• Talent: Play-by-play announcer Mike Joy; analysts Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds; reporters Jamie Little, Chris Neville and Matt Yocum

FOX NASCAR SUNDAY

• Network/When: FOX & FOX Sports GO, Sunday, April 19 (12:30 PM ET)
• Talent: Host Chris Myers; analysts Darrell Waltrip and Michael Waltrip; reporters Jamie Little, Chris Neville and Matt Yocum

LARRY MCREYNOLDS SAYS IT’S A DRAW BETWEEN WHETHER JIMMIE JOHNSON OR KEVIN HARVICK LOOKS STRONGER GOING INTO THE NEXT FEW RACES:  “I can’t say one of them has a bigger advantage than the other. The most amazing statistic is that of the past six mile-and-a-half races, Johnson and Harvick have won all six.  More unusual is that they keep alternating, and when Johnson won his three, Harvick was runner-up.  I can’t decipher which one of them is stronger at this point in the season, but there is no question they are the two best teams in the sport right now.”

MCREYNOLDS SAYS BRISTOL OFFERS A “CLEAN SLATE” FOR TEAMS: “Bristol serves as a clean sheet of paper for teams because its characteristics aren’t relative to any other track they’ve competed on yet this season.  Although Martinsville is also a half-mile track, the two aren’t relatable.  Many teams feel like they’re getting a clean slate at Bristol.  Look back last year at Bristol — Roush-Fenway Racing swept the top two finishing positions with Carl Edwards winning and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finishing second.  If a team has been struggling the first part of the season, whether in the aero, chassis or horsepower departments, they get a fresh start at Bristol because these categories don’t matter nearly as much as mechanical grip does.  Some teams might get a chance at redemption this weekend.”

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES RACING

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, Saturday, April 18 (1:30 PM ET)
• Talent: Play by-play announcer Adam Alexander; analysts Michael Waltrip and Jeff Gordon; reporters Vince Welch, Chris Neville and Matt Yocum

NASCAR RACEDAY-XFINITY

• Network/When:  FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, Saturday, April 18 (1:30 PM ET)
• Talent: Host Danielle Trotta; analysts Larry McReynolds and Kenny Wallace; reporters Vince Welch, Chris Neville and Matt Yocum
  

ADAM ALEXANDER SAYS THE DIFFERENCE IN ROUSH-FENWAY RACING’S NASCAR XFINITY SERIES AND NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES TEAMS’ PERFORMANCE IS BAFFLING — “It’s really difficult to say why the NASCAR XFINITY Series numbers have been better than the Cup Series numbers at Roush-Fenway Racing. For one, the level of competition is far greater at the Cup level, so if a team is off at all, it will be blatantly obvious.  However, their XFINITY program started to gain momentum late last season with Chris Buescher, and that appears to have carried over in 2015.”

ALEXANDER THINKS TY DILLON IS THE BEST SHORT-TRACK RACER OF THE XFINITY SERIES REGULARS — “Of the NASCAR XFINITY Series regulars on short tracks, Ty Dillon is a driver to watch.  He and his team were solid on short tracks last season.  I’m also keeping an eye on Regan Smith this weekend at Bristol because of the consistency he displayed on short tracks last year.”

NASCAR RACEDAY

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, Sunday, April 19 (12:00 PM ET)
• Talent: Host Danielle Trotta; analysts Larry McReynolds and Kenny Wallace; reporter Alan Cavanna
• This Week: live interviews with Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick
  

NASCAR RACE HUB & NASCAR RACE HUB WEEKEND EDITION

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1, Wednesday, April 15-Thursday, April 16 (6:00 PM ET), Friday, April 17 (2:30-3:00 PM), Saturday, April 18 (11:00-11:30 AM ET & 12:30-1:00 PM ET), Monday, April 20-Thursday, April 23 (6:00 PM ET)
• Talent: Co-hosts Adam Alexander, John Roberts and Danielle Trotta; analysts Larry McReynolds, Jeff Hammond and Wally Dallenbach; reporters Alan Cavanna, Andrew Doud and Kaitlyn Vincie
• This Week: On Wednesday, April 15, a sit-down interview with Kyle Busch, who continues to recover from injuries sustained at Daytona in February; On Thursday, April 16, a montage of “well-wishes” from NASCAR drivers to FOX Sports broadcaster Steve Byrnes as he continues to battle cancer, and a “Crunching the Numbers” feature on Bristol
• Next Week: Driver/guest analyst AJ Allmendinger on Monday, April 20; driver/guest analyst Brad Keselowski on Tuesday, April 21.

MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS

CHAMP DUNGEY LEADS RIDERS INTO SANTA CLARA AFTER CLINCHING SECOND 450SX CHAMPIONSHIP IN HOUSTON

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, Saturday, April 18 (10:00 PM ET, LIVE)

• Talent: Ralph Sheheen, Jeff Emig, Jenny Taft
• This Week: Coming out of Houston, where Red Bull KTM rider Ryan Dungey clinched his second career 450SX championship, Cole Seely (TLD/Team Honda HRC) dominated at NRG Stadium, leading wire to wire for the first win in his 450SX career. “Ryan Dungey was a rider many in the industry considered a surprise hire when Roger DeCoster picked him for Suzuki,” Sheheen said. “Now here he is just a few years later, a two-time champion and in the top 10 on the list of all time winners. He did it differently than other champions, maybe not as flashy or as aggressive. However, you cannot argue with the stats he has racked up. He is now building up Hall of Fame stats.” Moving forward, Sheheen believes the current depth of field in Monster Energy Supercross has the sport on healthy footing. “The fact that we have had so many different winners shows just how deep the field is right now in Monster Energy Supercross,” Sheheen said. “With three races to go, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few more new winners this year. Riders like (Weston) Peick, (Blake) Badgett, (Davi) Millsaps and (Jason) Anderson have showed incredible speed and could easily grab a win.” This week, riders take on the Levi’s Stadium course in Santa Clara, Calif.

FIM MOTOGP™ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

MARQUEZ IMPRESSIVE AT AUSTIN; NEXT UP: GRAND PRIX OF ARGENTINA

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, Sunday, April 19 (2:30 PM ET, LIVE)

• Talent: Bob Varsha, Nick Harris, Matthew Birt, Dylan Gray

• This Week: Coming off a strong performance at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, where MotoGP motorcycle racing enjoyed double-digit, year-to-year ratings growth on FOX Sports 1 (Moto3 (178k viewers, +45% from ’14; Moto2 (159k; +11%); MotoGP (231k; +37%), the MotoGP World Championship heads to Argentina for a run on the 2.99, 14-turn Termas de Río Hondo Circuit. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) continues to hold the championship points lead with 41, just one point ahead of Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso (40) and defending champ Marc Marquez (Honda) at 36.

TUDOR UNITED SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP

MAGNUSSEN/GARCIA SET PACE IN GTLM AS SPORTS CARS HEAD TO LONG BEACH

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, Sunday, April 19 (4:00 PM ET, NDD)
• Talent: Bob Varsha, Calvin Fish, Brian Till, Jamie Howe
• This Week: Coming off the two longest events of the season with Daytona and Sebring, the TUDOR UNITED SPORTSCAR SERIES takes the Prototype and GTLM divisions west for one of the shortest, the 100-minute Tequila Patron Sports Car Showcase on the 1.968-mile Long Beach street circuit. In last year’s inaugural event, Scott Pruett and teammate Memo Rojas captured the Prototype and overall victory in their Ford-Riley, while Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia drove their Corvette to a GTLM win.  Magnussen and Garcia sit atop the 2015 GTLM point standings after class wins in the season’s first two races. Pruett, who has yet to win with new teammate Joey Hand this season, has a long history of success at Long Beach, including:

• 1987 Trans-Am winner
• 1995 CART Champ Car runner-up
• 2001 Toyota Pro-Celebrity race winner
• 2006 GRAND-AM winner
• 2012  Inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame
• 2014 TUDOR winner

FOX Sports 1 airs the race on next-day delay, with 12 of the 18 cars entered carrying on-board cameras.

UFC

TOP-RANKED MIDDLEWEIGHTS MACHIDA AND ROCKHOLD HEADLINE FOUR HOURS OF UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON FOX

This weekend’s FOX UFC FIGHT NIGHT: MACHIDA VS. ROCKHOLD features an exciting headliner in the middleweight division (185 lbs.) between former UFC champ Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida against former STRIKEFORCE titleholder and fourth-ranked contender Luke Rockhold live on FOX on Saturday, April 18 (8:00 PM ET). FOX UFC analyst Daniel Cormier trains with Rockhold and believes he’s ready for the test against one of the best in Machida. “Luke is in for a serious fight against Lyoto,” he says. “He’s been asking to fight one of the best in the division. He believes in a matchup of anyone who wants to strike with him, he has the advantage. He doesn’t only think he’s going to beat Lyoto, he’s going to finish Lyoto and make a statement that he deserves the title shot.” Click the link to watch Cormier’s break down of the fight. http://bit.ly/1DoJRbS In addition to the main event, the two hour main card features three more exciting fights. FOX also broadcasts two hours of the FOX UFC FIGHT NIGHT PRELIMS, with four more bouts featuring top fighters.

UFC RELOADED UFC 179: ALDO VS. MENDES 2

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, Thursday, April 16 (9:00 PM ET)
• Talent: Jose Aldo, Chad Mendes
• This Week: It’s a night of battles between Brazil and the United States when the Octagon sets down in Rio de Janeiro. Featherweight champion Jose Aldo once again defends his title against Chad Mendes, the wrestler-turned-finisher who has been on a tear since his lone career loss to Aldo.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT WEIGH-IN FEATURES MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMP WEIDMAN AS ANALYST

• Network/When: FOX Sports 2 & FOX Sports GO, Friday, April 17 (4:00 PM ET)
• Talent: Ariel Helwani, Daniel Cormier, Brian Stann, Chris Weidman and Heidi Androl
• This Week: The UFC WEIGH-IN features host Ariel Helwani, with analysts Brian Stann, Daniel Cormier and current middleweight champion Chris Weidman breaking down the fighters on the card as they attempt to make weight. Heidi Androl interviews fighters during the show.                            

FOX SPORTS 1 UFC FIGHT NIGHT PREFIGHT SHOW: MACHIDA VS. ROCKHOLD PREVIEW

• Network/When: FOX Sports 2 & FOX Sports GO, Saturday, April 18 (5:00 PM ET)
• Talent: Ariel Helwani, Daniel Cormier, Brian Stann, Chris Weidman and Heidi Androl
• This Week: Host Helwani and analysts Stann, Cormier and Weidman preview the exciting evening of fights including the much anticipated headliner between two top-ranked middleweights – No. 2 ranked Lyoto Machida and No. 4 Luke Rockhold. Helwani, Stann, Weidman and Cormier also analyze the other matchups on the main card and prelims.

FOX UFC FIGHT NIGHT PRELIMS FEATURE FOUR EXCITING BOUTS 

• Network/When: FOX, FOX Deportes & FOX Sports GO, Saturday, April 18 (6:00 PM ET)
• Talent: Joe Rogan, Mike Goldberg, Curt Menefee, Brian Stann, Daniel Cormier, Chris Weidman and Heidi Androl
• This Week: The two-hour FOX UFC FIGHT NIGHT PRELIMS feature four exciting fights, including No. 12 ranked lightweight Jim Miller (24-5, 1NC) against Beneil Dariush (10-1). No. 8 ranked light heavyweight Ovince Saint Preux (17-6) battles No. 13 Patrick Cummins (7-1). Corey Anderson (6-0) takes on Gian Villante (12-5) in another light heavyweight bout, while No. 6 ranked bantamweight Takeya Mizugaki (20-8-2) and undefeated Aljamain Sterling (10-0) open the PRELIMS.
  

FOX UFC FIGHT NIGHT FEATURES KEY MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT BETWEEN NO. 2 RANKED MACHIDA VS. NO. 4 ROCKHOLD

• Network/When: FOX, FOX Deportes & FOX Sports GO, Saturday, April 18 (8:00 PM ET)
• Talent: Joe Rogan, Mike Goldberg, Curt Menefee, Brian Stann, Daniel Cormier, Chris Weidman and Heidi Androl
• This Week: The two-hour main card is headlined by former UFC champ and No. 2 ranked middleweight Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida against former STRIKEFORCE^® titleholder and fourth-ranked contender Luke Rockhold in a pivotal bout for the middleweight division. The co-main event features another middleweight clash between No. 1 ranked Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (21-3, 1NC) and late replacement Chris Camozzi (19-9). The No. 5 ranked featherweight Cub Swanson (21-6) squares off against No. 9 ranked Max Holloway (12-3), while No. 8 ranked strawweight Felice Herrig (10-5) and No. 12 Paige VanZant (4-1) kick off the main card with a pivotal division clash.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT POSTFIGHT SHOW RECAPS UFC ON FOX EVENING 

• Network/When: FOX Sports 2 & FOX Sports GO, Saturday, April 18 (10:00 PM ET)
• Talent: Ariel Helwani, Brian Stann, Daniel Cormier, Chris Weidman and Heidi Androl
• This Week: Host Helwani and analysts Stann, Weidman and Cormier break down the evening’s biggest bouts including the headliner between middleweight contenders Machida and Rockhold. They also interview the big winners.

UFC ULTIMATE INSIDER: CERRONE INTERIVEW, MCGREGOR IN NYC, NURMAGOMEDOV MIC’D UP

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, Sunday, April 19 (6:30 PM ET)
• Talent: Jon Anik
• This Week: Watch as featherweight title contender Conor McGregor touches down in New York City for a Reebok launch party with fellow UFC superstars. UFC lightweight Johnny Case’s relocation to San Diego amidst his 10-fight win streak has amplified his ascent and proven to be an ideal setting for his high octane lifestyle. Then, fan favorite Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone joins host Jon Anik in studio for a lightweight division breakdown and thoughts on his next opponent, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Finally, undefeated lightweight contender Nurmagomedov is mic’d up for his live reaction as future opponent Donald Cerrone battles Eddie Alvarez at UFC 178.
  

UFC COUNTDOWN UFC 186: JOHNSON VS. HORIGUCHI

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, Sunday, April 19 (10:00 PM ET)
• Talent: Demetrious Johnson, Kyoji Horiguchi
• This Week: Watch as UFC flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson prepares for his next title defense against contender Kyoji Horiguchi, winner of four straight in the Octagon. Follow the two fighters through their training camps and prepare for the headliner.

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER SEASON 21 PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 WITH ALL-NEW FORMAT: AMERICAN TOP TEAM VS. BLACKZILIANS

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, Wednesday, April 22 (10:00 PM ET)
• Talent: Dana White, Dan Lambert, Glenn Robinson
• This Week: The long-running reality series THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER returns to FOX Sports 1 for season 21 with an all-new team vs. team format. A long standing rivalry between two of MMA’s top gyms, American Top Team and The Blackzilians, finally gets its day of reckoning. Two teams, 16 fighters, and two fiery gym owners battle it out for the chance to win up to $500,000 and a coveted trophy to prove which team dominates South Florida.
  

BOXING

UNDEFEATED GASSIEV DEFENDS IBF INTERCONTINENTAL CRUISERWEIGHT BELT VS. CORA AT ROC NATION’S THRONE BOXING

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, Friday, April 17 (10:00 PM ET)
• Talent: Gus Johnson, Dave Bontempo
• This Week: Roc Nation Sports presents the second edition throne boxing when Murat “Iron” Gassiev (20-0, 13 KO’s) puts his IBF Intercontinental Cruiserweight title on the line against Felix “Bad News” Cora Jr. (25-6-2, 14 KO’s) in a 12-round main event live from The Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. In an intriguing televised co-featured bout, Philadelphia southpaw Ray “The New” Robinson (19-2, 9 KO’s) and Sherzodbek “The Lion” Alimjanov (22-2, 13 KO’s) of Uzbekistan battle it out over 10 rounds for Robinson’s NABO Welterweight title.
  

SOCCER

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE QUARTERFINALS KICK OFF TOMORROW

• Matchup/Network/When:

o   Wolfsburg vs. Napoli, FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, Thursday, April 16 (2:30 PM ET)

o   Sevilla vs. Zenit, FOX Sports 2 & FOX Sports GO, Thursday, April 16 (2:30 PM ET)

o   Dynamo Kiev vs. Fiorentina, FOX Soccer Plus & FOX Soccer 2Go, Thursday, April 16 (2:30 PM ET)

o   Club Brugge vs. Dnipro, FOX Soccer Plus & FOX Soccer 2Go, Thursday, April 16 (9:00 PM ET)

• Talent: Ross Dyer hosts pregame, halftime and postgame coverage alongside analysts Warren Barton, Brian McBride and Mario Melchiot.
• This Week: The UEFA Europa League Quarterfinal, Leg 1 matches begin on Thursday, April 16.

FA CUP SEMIFINALS ON FOX AND FOX SPORTS 1 THIS WEEKEND

• Matchup/Network/When:

o   Reading vs. Arsenal, FOX & FOX Sports GO, Saturday, April 18 (12:00 PM ET)

o   Aston Villa vs. Liverpool, FOX Sports 1/FOX Sports GO, Sunday, April 19 (9:30 AM ET)

• Talent: Rob Stone, Eric Wynalda, Warren Barton, Stuart Holden
• This Week: Four English teams remain in their quest to reach the final of the world’s oldest club competition at the legendary Wembley Stadium.

MLS SOCCER SUNDAY CONTINUES ON FOX SPORTS 1 WITH MLS CUP CHAMPION LA GALAXY

• Matchup/Network/When:

o   New York City FC vs. Portland Timbers, FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, FOX Deportes, Sunday, April 19 (7:00 PM ET)

• Talent: John Strong, Alexi Lalas, Katie Witham
• This Week: Spanish legend David Villa and New York City FC take on the Portland Timbers.

STUDIO

FOX SPORTS LIVE – MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL OPENING WEEK GAME HIGHLIGHTS, NHL PLAYOFFS BEGIN WEDNESDAY, NBA PLAYOFF COVERAGE STARTS SATURDAY

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1, nightly (11:00 PM ET)
• Talent: Jay Onrait, Dan O’Toole, Charissa Thompson, Don Bell, Ryan Field, Donny Marshall, Petros Papadakis, Bill Reiter, Andy Roddick, Peter Schrager.
• This Week: FOX Sports 1’s flagship nightly highlight, news and opinion show rolls on this week featuring extended highlights and analysis, covering the action from across the spectrum of sports. With the opening of the Major League Baseball season last week, the show returns to a baseball emphasis, featuring extended highlight blocks throughout the week. It’s also the highly-anticipated playoff seasons for both the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League and FOX SPORTS LIVE has both covered every night. Continuing the initiative that began last spring, the show’s commitment to the NHL remains strong with intensified analysis, highlights and remote coverage beginning Wednesday night as the 16-team quest begins for the Stanley Cup. In the usual lockstep with the NHL, the NBA playoffs begin Saturday night and the show covers the tournament with highlights and in-studio analysis from former NBA veteran Donny Marshall.

AMERICA’S PREGAME – NIGHTLY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME PREVIEWS, NHL/NBA PLAYOFF ANALYSIS AND INSIGHTS AS POSTSEASONS BEGIN; DARK FRIDAY

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1, weekdays (6:00 PM ET)
• Talent: Mike Hill, Molly McGrath, Joel Klatt, Alexi Lalas, Corey Maggette, CJ Nitkowski, Peter Schrager, Mark Sweeney
• This Week: APG airs at 5:00 PM ET each day this week, setting the stage for all of the nightly action, including extensive preview coverage of Major League Baseball games from across the country as the regular season is now underway. FOX Sports 1 MLB analyst Mark Sweeney is in-studio this week, joining Mike to break down all of the early action. The NBA and NHL both enter their respective postseasons this week and APG keeps tabs on all of the games with early-evening previews in-studio and from site. Additionally, FOX Sports 1 NBA analysts Corey Maggette and Donny Marshall are in studio this week, breaking down the playoff matchups and what teams could be in danger of being upset in the opening round. On the heels of his announcement this week that he is retiring from the sport, 12-year NFL veteran and two-time Super Bowl-winning cornerback Ike Taylor joins the crew in-studio on Wednesday. The longtime Pittsburgh Steeler discusses his decision to step away and what might he is looking for in the next chapter of his life. Due to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice session at Bristol on Friday afternoon on FOX Sports 1, the show is preempted and off the air, returning Monday at 5:00 PM ET.

FOX SPORTS 1-ON-1: NFL OWNERS MEETING EDITION

• What: The National Football League is a year-round business as fan interest and passion carries the sport throughout its nominal “offseason.” With that in mind, FOX Sports attended last month’s NFL Owners Meetings in Phoenix, securing interviews with a number of the league’s most prominent and impactful decision-makers. Presented in both 30-minute and one-hour installments under the umbrella of the FOX Sports 1-ON-1 series, the interviews go in-depth with both head coaches and personnel executives, discussing the free agency period and looming NFL Draft among several other league issues.
• Network/When/Talent: FOX Sports 1, studio wraps by Molly McGrath, interviews conducted by Jay Glazer and Chris Myers

• Friday, April 17:
  • Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, head coach Jason Garrett
  • FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET)
  • Interview with Chris Myers
• Monday, April 20:
  • Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider, head coach Pete Carroll
  • FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO (8:00 PM ET)
  • Interview with Chris Myers
  • Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan
  • FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO (8:30 PM ET)
  • Interview with Jay Glazer
• Tuesday, April 21:
  • Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh
  • FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO (10:00 PM ET)
  • Interview with Chris Myers
  • New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton
  • FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO (10:30 PM ET)
  • Interview with Chris Myers

COLLEGE BASEBALL

CREIGHTON HOSTS ST. JOHN’S IN BATTLE OF BIG EAST’S BEST

• Matchup/Network/When/Talent:
  • Friday, April 17:
    • St. John’s at Creighton
    • FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO (7:00 PM ET)
    • Eric Collins and Jason Isringhausen
• This Week: St. John’s and Creighton meet in Omaha for the first game of a three-game set in a battle of the top two teams in the BIG EAST standings. The Bluejays are coming off a three-game conference series sweep last weekend, led by outfielder/designated hitter Brett Murray, who hit .444, and freshman pitcher Keith Rogalla, who recorded eight strikeouts in an eight-inning outing. For the Red Storm, outfielder Alex Caruso hit .500, including .600 in conference play, and scored nine runs over five games last week.
  

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

GARBAGE TIME WITH KATIE NOLAN TAKES ON BIGGEST STORIES IN SPORTS

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports GO, Sunday, April 19 (9:30 PM ET)
• Talent: Katie Nolan
• This Week: Katie Nolan continues to tackle the hottest topics in sports, interjecting her wit, sarcasm and comedy in the weekly show GARBAGE TIME WITH KATIE NOLAN on FOX Sports 1. In case you missed it, last week Nolan offered advice for women looking to find a husband at The Masters, played an intense game of You Autocomplete Me and more. This week, Katie sits down with actor Anthony Anderson. For more, check out this week’s #JUNKMAIL.