ThisWeek — June 7, 2010
World Cup
- 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa Begins
- “Countdown to Kickoff” 24-Hour Marathon
- MLS Star Landon Donovan on Homecoming with Rick Reilly
- ESPN The Magazine: World Cup Preview Issue Largest in Three Years
NBA Finals, Strasburg, Women’s College World Series & More
- NBA Finals: Exclusive Coverage Continues on ABC and ESPN Radio;
Dr. Jack Ramsay Receives Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award - Baseball Tonight on Site for Strasburg Debut
- Arizona-UCLA Women’s College World Series Begins June 7
- NASCAR Nationwide Series Live from Kentucky on ESPN
- NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series in Englishtown
- ESPN.com to Offer Exclusive Free Preview of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ New Album Mojo
2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa Begins
contact: mac.nwulu@espn.com
ESPN will kick off its comprehensive month long coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup (June 11-July 11) from South Africa Friday, June 11, at 9:30 a.m. ET when South Africa hosts Mexico in Johannesburg. Legendary play-by-play commentator Martin Tyler – who has called every FIFA World Cup tournament since 1978 – will pair with former Nigerian National Team player Efan Ekoku on ESPN and ESPN HD. In addition, the match will be simulcast on ESPN3.com, ESPN Mobile TV and will be the first of more than 85 live events planned for this year on ESPN 3D, the industry’s first 3D network. ESPN Deportes will carry Portuguese-language coverage of the match, and ESPN Radio’s lead World Cup commentator team of JP Dellacamera and Tommy Smyth will also call the opener.
Chris Fowler will host pre-, halftime and post-match studio segments with analysts Shaun Bartlett, a former South African National Team player, and Steve McManaman. Reporters John Sutcliffe (covering Mexico) and Dan Williams (South Africa) will provide the latest updates on the teams.
Later Friday, Uruguay will face France in Cape Town at 2 p.m. with Ian Darke and analyst Ally McCoist calling the match on ESPN and ESPN digital platforms, and Ross Dyer and Shep Messing on ESPN Radio.
The second day of the tournament includes three games with the highly-anticipated England vs. United States match in Rustenburg at 2:30 p.m. Tyler and former United States National Team captain John Harkes will call the action on ABC, as Landon Donovan and the U.S. look to replicate the biggest victory in American soccer history – a 1-0 upset of highly-favored England in the 1950 World Cup, the only previous meeting between the two nations in the history of the tournament. Pre-match coverage will begin at 1:30 p.m. with Mike Tirico and former England National Team player McManaman, along with team correspondents Jeremy Schaap (U.S.) and Darrell Currie (England).
ESPN’s 2010 FIFA World Cup Opening Weekend Schedule (June 11-13):
| Date | Time (ET) | Network | Match/Commentators | Site |
| Fri, June 11 | 9:30 a.m. | ESPN/ESPN3.com/ESPN 3D/ESPN Radio | South Africa vs. MexicoMartin Tyler and Efan Ekoku; JP Dellacamera and Tommy Smyth -- * | Johannesburg |
| 2 p.m. | ESPN/ESPN3.com/ESPN Radio | Uruguay vs. FranceIan Darke and Ally McCoist; Ross Dyer and Shep Messing -- * | Cape Town | |
| Sat, June 12 | 7 a.m. | ESPN/ESPN3.com/ESPN Radio | Korea Republic vs. GreeceDerek Rae and Robbie Mustoe; Dyer and Messing -- * | Port Elizabeth |
| 9:30 a.m. | ESPN/ESPN3.com/ESPN 3D/ESPN Radio | Argentina vs. NigeriaAdrian Healey and Ekoku Glenn Davis and Kyle Martino -- * | Johannesburg | |
| 1:30 p.m. | ABC/ESPN Radio | England vs. USATyler and John Harkes Dellacamera and Smyth -- * |
Rustenburg | |
| Sun, June 13 | 7 a.m. | ESPN/ESPN3.com/ESPN Radio | Algeria vs. SloveniaHealey and Harkes Dyer and Messing -- * |
Polokwane |
| 9:30 a.m. | ESPN/ESPN3.com/ ESPN Radio | Serbia vs. GhanaDarke and Ekoku Davis and Martino -- * |
Pretoria | |
| 2 p.m. | ABC/ESPN 3D/ESPN Radio | Germany vs. AustraliaTyler and McCoist Dellacamera and Smyth -- * |
Durban |
* -- ESPN Radio commentator teams
“Countdown to Kickoff” 24-Hour Marathon
contact: mac.nwulu@espn.com
ESPN2’s 24-hour soccer-themed “Countdown to Kickoff” programming block beginning Thursday, June 10, at 10 a.m. through Friday, June 11, at 10 a.m. will lead into the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Highlights:
- 2010 FIFA World Cup Preview Special (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.): Fowler, Bob Ley and Tirico will host a three-hour live preview of South Africa 2010 from ESPN’s studio location inside the International Broadcast Center (IBC) in Johannesburg. The program includes all of ESPN’s World Cup studio analysts: Bartlett, Ruud Gullit, Jürgen Klinsmann, Alexi Lalas, McManaman and Roberto Martinez;
- 2010 FIFA World Cup Team USA Preview Special (1-2 p.m.): A one-hour preview focusing on the U.S. Men’s Soccer National Team.
- FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert (2-5 p.m.): Sal Masekela, ESPN’s World Cup features reporter, will host ESPN2’s presentation of the three-hour “Kick-Off Celebration Concert” in Soweto/Johannesburg, with Grammy Award-winning artists and popular African musicians.
ESPN2’s “Countdown to Kickoff” schedule:
| Date | Time (ET) | Programming |
| Thur, June 10 | 10 a.m. | 2010 FIFA World Cup Preview |
| 1 p.m. | 2010 U.S. National Team Preview | |
| 2 p.m. | 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-off Celebration Concert | |
| 5 p.m. | SportsNation Presented by Toyota | |
| 6 p.m. | Outside the Lines: Robben Island – A Greater Goal | |
| 6:30 p.m. | E:60 | |
| 7 p.m. | 2010 FIFA World Cup Preview (re-air) | |
| 10 p.m. | MLS Game of the Week: DC United at Seattle Sounders FC | |
| Fri, June 11 | 12:30 a.m. | SportsNation Presented by Toyota (re-air) |
| 1:30 a.m. | 2010 U.S. National Team Preview (re-air) | |
| 2:30 a.m. | Homecoming with Rick Reilly: Landon Donovan | |
| 3:30 a.m. | The 2006 World Cup Film – The Grand Finale | |
| 6 – 9:30 a.m. | Mike & Mike in the Morning Presented by Progressive Insurance | |
| 9:30 – 10 a.m. | SportsCenter |
MLS Star Landon Donovan on Homecoming with Rick Reilly
contact: alison.lazar@espn.com
The LA Galaxy’s Landon Donovan, a member of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team, is the guest on Homecoming with Rick Reilly, Thursday, June 10, at 9 p.m. on ESPN. Hosted by 11-time Sportswriter of the Year Rick Reilly, the show challenges that old adage, “You can’t go home again.” Donovan took time out of his 2010 FIFA World Cup preparations to return to his hometown of Redlands, Calif. More than 1,500 cheering fans and Donovan’s family and friends were in the audience as well as USA Soccer head coach Bob Bradley. Donovan spoke candidly about his one-time riff with teammate David Beckham and what it was like to be a young soccer star. He also gave his prediction for the World Cup final: “a rematch between USA and Spain, with USA winning 2-0.” Photos
Excerpts:
On the goal against Mexico in the 2002 World Cup: “It was probably the most memorable goal. To play in a World Cup is everything, and then to score against your bitter rivals to get to the quarter finals was awesome.”
On becoming the face of the MLS at an early age: “I thought I was ready for it. In hindsight, now looking back, I wasn’t ready for it. And along with that comes a lot of media, a lot of appearances, people asking a lot of you, and you can get caught up in that part of it and forget about soccer. That can wear you out, which tires you out for the soccer part. So it’s a tough balance, trying to figure that all out.”
ESPN The Magazine: World Cup Preview Issue Largest in Three Years
contact: crystal.howard@espn.com | Cover
ESPN The Magazine’s World Cup Preview issue, on newsstands now with Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o on the cover, is its largest issue in three years. An increase of 42 ad pages equals a 110 percent increase over the same issue last year (June 15, 2009), and a 96 percent increase in revenue. The World Cup Preview issue is The Magazine’s 15th-highest revenue-generating issue in its 12-year history.
This issue saw a strong presence in the automotive and apparel categories and had 12 and 13 pages, respectively in the drugs/toiletries and business/technology categories. Yves St. Laurent, Weber Grill Creations and Dreyer Ice Cream advertised in The Mag for the first time this issue, and Breitling Watches, American Crew, Febreze and Dunkin Donuts at Home were new brands.
NBA Finals: Exclusive Coverage Continues on ABC and ESPN Radio;
Dr. Jack Ramsay Receives Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award
contacts: nate.smeltz@espn.com or mark.d.mandel@espn.com
The Boston Celtics will host the defending NBA champion L.A. Lakers for Games #3-5 of the NBA Finals exclusively on ABC and ESPN Radio. The series, tied at 1-1, will continue Tuesday, June 8, at 9 p.m. Mike Breen is the voice of The Finals on ABC, pairing with analysts Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy and reporter Doris Burke. Jim Durham provides play-by-play on ESPN Radio, with Hall of Famers Dr. Jack Ramsay and Hubie Brown. Schedule | Photos
Additionally, Ramsay was a joint recipient with Morice “Tex” Winter of the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, presented Sunday, June 6, during The Finals pregame ceremony. In 20 full seasons as an NBA head coach, Ramsay’s teams made the playoffs 16 times. In 1992, he was inducted to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with 864 regular-season coaching victories. His career was highlighted by two NBA championships, as head coach of the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers and as general manager of the 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers.
Baseball Tonight on Site for Strasburg Debut
contacts: nate.smeltz@espn.com or diane.lamb@espn.com
ESPN’s Baseball Tonight will be on site when the Washington Nationals' top prospect Stephen Strasburg takes the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, June 8, for a special 30-minute show at 3:30 p.m. Hosted by Karl Ravech with analysts Orel Hershiser and Tim Kurkjian, the program will preview the pitcher’s highly anticipated MLB debut. Photos
ESPN’s 6 p.m. edition of SportsCenter will include pregame reports from the ballpark, with highlights and analysis on the 10 p.m. edition of Baseball Tonight and 11 p.m. SportsCenter.
Arizona-UCLA Women’s College World Series Begins June 7
contact: michael.c.humes@espn.com
ESPN2 will conclude its most extensive schedule of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship -- up to 55 games across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV -- with the best-of-three Women’s College World Series championship series June 7-9, all at 8 p.m. Each game will be offered in high definition and be available on ESPN3.com. Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza and Michele Smith will call the action with reporter Holly Rowe.
The championship series will pit Arizona vs. UCLA in a showdown between the top two Women’s College World Series programs. UCLA leads all schools with 11 championships and Arizona is second with eight. Arizona has defeated UCLA four of the six times they have met for the championship.
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Mon, June 7 | 8 p.m. | Arizona vs. UCLA– Game 1 | ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com |
| Tues, June 8 | 8 p.m. | UCLA vs. Arizona – Game 2 | ESPN HD / ESPN3.com / ESPN Mobile TV |
| Wed, June 9 | 8 p.m. | Arizona vs. UCLA – Game 3* | ESPN2 HD / ESPN3.com |
* If necessary
NASCAR Nationwide Series Live from Kentucky on ESPN
contact: andy.hall@espn.com or george.mcneilly@espn.com
The NASCAR Nationwide Series races in prime time for 300 miles at Kentucky Speedway near Cincinnati on Saturday, June 12, and ESPN will have a live, flag-to-flag telecast. NASCAR Countdown airs at 7:30 p.m. with the green flag at 8:15 p.m. ESPN airs qualifying Saturday at 4 p.m. Marty Reid will be joined by analysts Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree to call the race.
NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series in Englishtown
contact: andy.hall@espn.com or george.mcneilly@espn.com
The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series races this weekend in the Lucas Oil Deep Clean NHRA Supernationals in Englishtown, N.J., and ESPN2 will air highlights of qualifying and eliminations. Qualifying airs Saturday, June 12, at 11 p.m. and eliminations airs Sunday at 4 p.m. Paul Page anchors ESPN2’s coverage with analysis by Mike Dunn.
ESPN.com to Offer Exclusive Free Preview of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ New Album Mojo
contacts: kristie.chong@espn.com or keri.a.potts@espn.com
ESPN.com has joined forces with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers to offer sports fans an exclusive, free streaming preview of their new album, Mojo, beginning tomorrow through the album’s release date of June 15. A preview of Mojo -- the band’s first album release in eight years -- coincides with the launch off The Life’s new Music section on ESPN.com that highlights the frequent merging of music and sports.
Music in The Life includes interviews, chats and podcasts with music and sports personalities, information about ESPN’s artists of the month and other artists whose music is on air. Other highlights: music downloads, a music player and more.
Mojo captures the live flavor of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers with raw recordings and a collection of songs with no overdubs or studio trickery. Petty & The Heartbreakers began their North American tour on Saturday.
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