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MidWeek — January 11, 2012

Posted by Editor • January 11, 2012 • Printer-friendly

MLB OPENING NIGHT

NFL STUDIO SHOWS, NBA, SHULMAN HONORED & MORE… 

 

 

MLB Opening Night on ESPN: World Champion Cardinals at New-Look Miami Marlins on April 4
contacts: ben.cafardo@espn.com; nate.smeltz@espn.com

ESPN will begin its 23rd Major League Baseball season with a full national telecast of Opening Night – the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals at the Miami Marlins – Wednesday, April 4, at 7 p.m. ET. The telecast will mark the start of the 2012 MLB regular season and the grand opening of Marlins Park. The game will also include the debut of Miami’s high profile offseason acquisitions – new manager Ozzie Guillen and All-Star Jose Reyes. Opening Night will be available on ESPN, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3, ESPN Mobile TV and via the WatchESPN app. ESPN and ESPN2 will combine for five games over the first three days of the season. The full season-opening schedule is available on ESPN MediaZone.

 

 

Sunday NFL Countdown on Saturday and Sunday
contact: mac.nwulu@espn.com

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Presented by IBM will preview the NFL’s divisional playoff weekend with a two-hour edition on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 10 a.m. and its regular three-hour show on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 10 a.m.  Host Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson (on the main set), and Suzy Kolber, Bill Parcells and Merril Hoge (on the second set), will preview the four games, joined by NFL Insider Adam Schefter and senior analyst Chris Mortensen who will provide headlines and up-to-the-minute league news.  In addition, Josina Anderson (Saints at 49ers), Ed Werder (Broncos at Patriots), Rachel Nichols (Giants at Packers) and Sal Paolantonio (Texans at Ravens), will report from the four NFL Divisional Playoff games.  

Saturday (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.):

  • Tom Brady’s Conversation with Chris Berman – Part II:  Leading up to the last game of the season, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady sat down for an expansive conversation with Hall of Fame NFL studio host Chris Berman.  The second part of the interview will be aired Sunday on Countdown, and Brady discusses the lessons he learned from the Patriots home playoff losses.
  • Inside The Film Room – Tim Tebow:  ESPN’s Super Bowl winning quarterbacks Trent Dilfer and Steve Young give fans an inside look at Tim Tebow as a pro quarterback.
  • San Francisco Treat:  It’s been nine years since the San Francisco 49ers hosted a playoff game.  This week, Berman travelled to San Francisco for a sit-down interview with the resurgent quarterback Alex Smith, Pro Bowl defensive end Justin Smith, safety Donte Whitner and rookie coach Jim Harbaugh on the team turnaround. 
  • Demaryius Thomas – The Game Winner:  Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas discusses his game-winning touchdown and his powerful stiff-arm vs. the Steelers last Sunday with Countdown’s Keyshawn Johnson. 
  • The Tuck Rule:  Ten years ago in the 2001 AFC divisional playoff game, Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson stripped the ball from quarterback Tom Brady and his team recovered what appeared as apparent fumble.  After review, the referees reversed the call – thanks to what was then a two year-old innocuous rule, known as “The Tuck Rule.”  On Countdown, key players from both teams recall moments from the game. 

Sunday (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.):

New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson will join Berman and the rest of ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown crew as a guest analyst Sunday.  The NFL’s leading rusher in 2006 and 2007 seasons and five-time Pro Bowler is coming off his 11th season in the league.

  • Jason Pierre-Paul:  Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul spots a tattoo on his chest that says "chosen."  Born to Haitian parents, his father went blind while Pierre-Paul was a young boy.  His mom had to work two jobs a day to sustain the family in South Florida.  Nichols reports how Pierre-Paul, who is completing his sixth season of competitive football, has become one of the premier pass rushers in the league.
  • Green Bay’s Quarterback Camp:  In the off-season, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy takes the team’s quarterbacks through basic drills – taking a snap from the center, practicing the correct way to hand the ball off, and play-action fakes.  Reporter Bob Holtzman talks to McCarthy and his Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the efficacy of re-learning the basics.
  • Ray Lewis and Ray Rice:  Rachel Nichols reports on the unique and close friendship between the Ravens emotional leader Lewis and running back Rice.
  • Cheesehead: ESPN.com’s Greg Garber reveals why Packer fans wear cheese on the top of their heads and the origin of the name – Cheesehead.
  • Mayne Event – The Ross Ventrone Story:  Making an NFL roster is no small feat.  No player knows that more than Ross Ventrone, who has been involved in more than 20 transactions with New England in the 2011 season.  In this week’s “Mayne Event,” Kenny Mayne heads to Foxboro for an intriguing behind-the-scenes look at the professional life of Ross Ventrone. 
Date Time (ET) Program Network
Fri, Jan 13 7 p.m. NFL Kickoff
Trey Wingo, Mark Schlereth and Damien Woody		 ESPN2
Sat, Jan 14 3 a.m. NFL Matchup
Sal Paolantonio, Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge		 ESPN(ESPN2 at 8:30 a.m.)
  10 a.m. Sunday NFL Countdown Presented by IBM
Chris Berman, Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Merril Hoge, Suzy Kolber, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, Chris Mortensen, Bill Parcells and Adam Schefter		 ESPN
Sun, Jan 15 12 a.m. NFL PrimeTime Presented by E-Trade
Wingo, Tim Hasselbeck and Hoge		 ESPN
  3 a.m. NFL Matchup
Paolantonio, Jaworski and Hoge		 ESPN(ESPN2 at 8:30 a.m.)
  10 a.m. Sunday NFL Countdown Presented by IBM
Berman, Carter, Ditka, Hoge, Kolber, Jackson, Johnson, Mortensen, Parcells and Schefter		 ESPN
  8 p.m. NFL PrimeTime Presented by E-Trade
Berman, Trent Dilfer and Jackson		 ESPN

 

Current Players and NFL Legends Visit ESPN during Playoffs
contact: allison.r.stoneberg@espn.com

ESPN will host a slew of active star players and NFL legends in Bristol, Conn., as the NFL Playoffs continue. Guests in the upcoming week will include Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy, San Diego Chargers linebacker Takeo Spikes, Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, Hall of Famers James Lofton and John Randle, and former Eagles and 49ers running back Brian Westbrook. Guests will appear on ESPN television and radio programs such as Mike & Mike in the Morning, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Scott Van Pelt Show, SportsCenter, NFL Live and NFL32. N.Y. Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson will also visit ESPN and appear on Sunday NFL Countdown this weekend. 

Date NFL Guest(s)
Thurs, Jan 12 Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts kicker
Fri, Jan 13 Pro Football Hall of Famers James Lofton and John Randle
Sun, Jan 15 LaDainian Tomlinson, New York Jets running back
Tues, Jan 17 Brian Westbrook, former Eagles and 49ers running back
Wed, Jan 18 Takeo Spikes, San Diego Chargers linebacker
Thurs, Jan 19 LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles running back

 

 

ESPN NFL Media Conference Call -- Thursday, Jan. 12, at 11 a.m.  

ESPN NFL analysts Eric Mangini and Tim Hasselbeck will be available for a media conference call to discuss the playoffs and other NFL topics Thursday, Jan. 12 at 11 a.m.  Please join the call 5-10 minutes in advance so the call can begin on time. 

To Join: 719-325-4807    |    Confirmation Code: 4883931    |    RSVP: allison.r.stoneberg@espn.com or 860-766-2925

 

 

NBA Doubleheader: Bulls/Celtics, Heat/Nuggets
contacts: ben.cafardo@espn.com; nate.smeltz@espn.com

ESPN will televise an NBA doubleheader on Friday, Jan. 13, beginning with an All-Star point guard clash when the Chicago Bulls and reigning league MVP Derrick Rose visit the Boston Celtics and Rajon Rondo, at 8 p.m.  Mike Breen and analyst Jeff Van Gundy will provide commentary with reporter Ric Bucher.  In the nightcap, the Miami Heat and their All-Star trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will visit the Denver Nuggets and Ty Lawson at 10:30 p.m.  Mike Tirico will call the game with analyst Chris Mullin and reporter Heather Cox. 

Additionally, ESPN will present a special NBA telecast on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m. when the Chicago Bulls and Derrick Rose visit the Memphis Grizzlies and Rudy Gay.  Memphis is the home of the National Civil Rights Museum and Rose played college basketball at the University of Memphis.  Play-by-play commentator Mark Jones and analyst Doris Burke will provide commentary for the game.

ESPN Radio’s Will Perdue: “The Knicks Need Better Effort…”
contact: dan.quinn@espn.com

Four-time NBA champion Will Perdue will join Jim Durham courtside tomorrow, Thursday, January 12, at 7:15 p.m. for ESPN Radio’s broadcast of the Grizzlies-Knicks game. Perdue says:

“The Knicks need better effort on defense and the boards. Against Charlotte, the defense gave up 118 points, and against the Lakers and Warriors they got pounded on the boards. Amar'e Stoudemire only had two rebounds against the Lakers and Tyson Chandler snagged three against the Warriors. Not good enough for what many are calling a challenger in the East.

“As for Memphis, the surprise team in last year’s playoffs, they have yet to beat a playoff team. I know they have lost Zach Randolph, their best player, to injury, but guys have to step up. Rudy Gay is the only guy who's put up consistent numbers. Lionel Hollins did get a nice game from Marreese Speights -- 17 points in 29 minutes against the Lakers, his second game after the trade from the 76'ers.Let's see if the 6'10" power forward can continue to have an impact.”

 

 

Dan Shulman Named NSSA National Sportscaster of the Year
contact: nate.smeltz@espn.com

ESPN play-by-play commentator Dan Shulman has been named the National Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA). He will be honored, along with the other recipients, at the 53rd annual NSSA Awards Banquet on June 11, in Salisbury, N.C. Shulman provides commentary for ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, Saturday Primetime college basketball and NBA games.

In addition, SportsCenter anchor Lindsay Czarniak, who joined ESPN in 2011, will be honored as the top sportscaster in the Washington, D.C., area.

 

 

College GameDay Covered by State Farm Travels to Florida State for First Road Show of the Season
contact: rachel.l.margolis@espn.com

ESPN’s College GameDay Covered by State Farm officially begins its eight-week Saturday morning and evening college basketball program originating from the site of ESPN’s Saturday Primetime Presented by DIRECTV telecast Saturday, Jan. 14 (10 a.m., ESPN2 & 11 a.m., ESPNU), from the campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla.

For the eighth year, Rece Davis will serve as point guard for the College GameDay desk, and will be joined by analysts Jay Bilas, Digger Phelps and Hubert Davis to preview all the day’s action and discuss the biggest storylines in college basketball.

This week’s two-hour College GameDay will air special segments including a feature on Florida State forward Bernard James and the GameDay version of the Newlywed Game, when two teammates answer questions about each other ultimately determining how well they really know one another.

No. 3 North Carolina will face the Seminoles, at a special time, 2 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN3, in the Saturday Primetime Presented by DIRECTV telecast with Dan Shulman and Dick Vitale with the call. 

Full GameDay schedule and release

 

 

Undefeated Doubleheader & Three Matchups between Ranked Teams
contact: michael.c.humes@espn.com

ESPN’s men’s college basketball schedule for early next week will be highlighted by an ESPN and ESPN3 doubleheader featuring two unbeaten teams on Monday, Jan. 16: undefeated No. 1 Syracuse against Pittsburgh at 7:30 p.m. followed by unbeaten No. 4 Baylor at No. 10 Kansas at 9:30 p.m. 

ESPN and ESPN3 will cover two other matchups between ranked teams: No. 15 Louisville at No. 24 Marquette on Monday, Jan. 16, at 3:30 p.m. and No. 7 Michigan State -- which hasn’t lost since opening the season against then-No. 1 North Carolina -- and No. 6 Duke at No. 13 Michigan on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. 

Date Time (ET) Matchup Network
Mon, Jan 16 3:30 p.m. No. 15 Louisville at No. 24 Marquette
Bob Wischusen & Len Elmore		 ESPN / ESPN3
  5:30 p.m. Texas A&M at No. 9 Missouri
Brent Musburger & Bob Knight		 ESPN / ESPN3
  7 p.m. Hampton at Morgan StateRich Hollenberg & Dereck Whittenberg ESPNU
  7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at No. 1 Syracuse
Sean McDonough, Jay Bilas & Bill Raftery		 ESPN / ESPN3
  9 p.m. Notre Dame at Rutgers
Beth Mowins & Tim Welsh		 ESPNU
  9:30 p.m. No. 4 Baylor at No. 10 Kansas
Dan Shulman, Dick Vitale & Holly Rowe		 ESPN / ESPN3
Tue, Jan 17 7 p.m. No. 7 Michigan State at No. 13 MichiganMike Tirico, Dan Dakich & Samantha Steele ESPN / ESPN3
  7 p.m. No. 11 Georgetown at DePaul
John Saunders & Doug Gottlieb		 ESPN2 / ESPN3
  7 p.m. Auburn at LSU
Dari Nowkhah & Dino Gaudio		 ESPNU
  9 p.m. Arkansas at No. 2 Kentucky
Brad Nessler, Jimmy Dykes & Shannon Spake		 ESPN / ESPN3
  9 p.m. Maryland at Florida State
Carter Blackburn & Jay Williams		 ESPNU
Wed, Jan 18 7 p.m. Cincinnati at No. 16 Connecticut
Bob Wischusen & LaPhonso Ellis		 ESPN2 / ESPN3
  7 p.m. Seton Hall at Villanova
Adam Amin & Tim Welsh		 ESPNU
  7 p.m. Delaware at George Mason ESPN3 *
  9 p.m. Texas at No. 18 Kansas State
Jon Sciambi & Fran Fraschilla		 ESPN2 / ESPN3
  9 p.m. Oklahoma State at Iowa State
Mitch Holthus & Miles Simon		 ESPNU

 

* Exclusive

 

 

Broncos’ Quarterback Tebow Helps Propel ESPN First Take to Most-Watched Episode Ever
contact: jayjay.nesheim@espn.com

The Denver Broncos’ surprise victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday propelled several sports topics to the top of the Twitter trend rankings including ESPN First Take and commentator Skip Bayless. Viewers were eager to tune-in on Monday morning, possibly to see Stephen A. Smith respond to a gloating Bayless and his never-ending support of Tim Tebow. The result was a new viewership record (an average of 587,000 homes) for the two-hour weekly show. “Everyone has been saying the glass is half empty when it comes to Tebow, all I’ve been saying is that the glass is half full,” says Bayless. “Everyone accuses me of having a ‘man-crush’ on Tebow but the fact is that I’m passionately behind him as an athlete and I believe in his ability to be a solid quarterback in the NFL.”  First Take’s format was recently restructured to focus exclusively on debating the hottest topics in sports.  Fans can follow First Take on Facebook (facebook.com/firsttake) and Twitter (@ESPN_FirstTake).

 

 

ESPN Sports Poll: Tebow is America’s Favorite Active Pro Athlete
contact: david.r.scott@espn.com

In December 2011, after less than two full seasons in the NFL, Tim Tebow became the 11th person to top the list of America’s favorite active professional athletes -- by far the fastest to make it to No. 1. This placed him ahead of Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning, and LeBron James, the only other active athletes to be named the favorite active pro athlete for a single month in 2011. 

Since the 1994 launch of the ESPN Sports Poll -- through 18 years, 216 months of polling, over 390,000 interviews -- only 11 athletes have made it to the top as America’s favorite active professional athlete. The other ten: Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, Troy Aikman, John Elway, Mark McGwire, Brett Favre, Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. 

Tebow was named by 3.0 percent of Americans age 12 and older. Three percent may not seem like much but it is an open-ended question and over 1,000 different athletes are mentioned over the course of a year. 

“To put this in perspective, Tim Tebow rose to the top before the end of his second season, said Rich Luker, founder and director of the ESPN Sports Poll.  “It took Tiger Woods three years, LeBron James eight years and Kobe Bryant 11 years.  I think we may be at the front end of a new era in sports stars.  Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods dominated the top of the list for 17 years.  Woods’ fall in 2009 seems to have opened the doors for Bryant, James and now Tebow.” 

Barry Blyn, vice president of consumer insights for ESPN, said “Tebow’s ascendance to the top of the favorite athlete list in such a short time is just the latest piece of evidence we have of the way he has galvanized sports fans’ interest and it underscores the passion Americans feel for sports and compelling sports figures.” 

Favorite active professional athlete (December 1 – December 30, 2011)

Tim Tebow                           3.0%
Kobe Bryant                         2.0%
Aaron Rodgers                    1.9%
Peyton Manning                  1.8%
Tom Brady                           1.5%
Derek Jeter                          1.2%
Tiger Woods                         1.1%
Michael Phelps                     1.0%
Drew Brees                           0.9%
Albert Pujols                         0.9%
LeBron James                      0.9%
Cristiano Ronaldo                0.9%

 

 

20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm Ltd. Named Exclusive Sponsors of ESPN's Martin Luther King, Jr. Coverage
contact: kristen.m.hudak@espn.com

20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm Ltd. have been named the exclusive sponsors of ESPN's Content of Character coverage in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

ESPN will honor Dr. King with a package of exclusive programming sponsored by the Red Tails, the action film opening January 20 inspired by the heroic exploits of the first African-American aerial combat unit. Red Tails stars Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire), Oscar nominee Terrence Howard (Crash), Nate Parker (The Secret Life of Bees, The Great Debaters) and David Oyelowo (The Last King of Scotland, Rise of the Planet of the Apes). Sponsorship includes: 

  • Dr. King remembrance vignettes with athletes, coaches and analysts that will run on SportsCenter through January 13.
  • ESPN feature content exploring Dr. King's influence in sports appearing on SportsCenter and Outside the Lines through January 13.
  • Presenting sponsorship of ESPN's Content of Character special Friday, Jan 13, at 7 p.m.
  • Placement in customized “Up to the Challenge” coverage honoring teams and athletes that overcome obstacles on SportsCenter, NBA Tonight and NFL Live from January 14 to January 22.

 

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights: Martin vs. Kennedy on January 13; First ESPN 3D Telecast of the Season
contact: stephen.mcdonald@espn.com 

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will originate from Las Vegas on January 13 at 9 p.m. on ESPN2 HD, ESPN Deportes, ESPN 3D and ESPN3 when junior featherweights “Marvelous” Chris Martin  (23-1-2, 6 KOs) and  Teon “The Technician” Kennedy (17-1-1, 7 KOs) meet in the 10-round main event. 

Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside describing the action, while new studio host Bernardo Osuna will present all the latest boxing news and highlights. 

Friday’s telecast will be the first ESPN 3D telecast of the year.  The first 3D boxing telecast in the U.S. was on ESPN 3D last February. In addition, Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday (Tuesday, Jan. 17) will also be recognized within Friday’s show. 

 

52nd PBA World Championship Finals
contact: allison.r.stoneberg@espn.com

ESPN will televise the 52nd PBA World Championship Finals on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 1 p.m.  Divisional winners and World Championship contenders Jason Belmonte, Osku Palermaa, Sean Rash and Ryan Shafer will vie for the Tour title. The event was recorded in November at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.  The commentator team will be play-by-play announcer Rob Stone and analyst Randy Pedersen.

 

Two New Teams Join Top 10 in ESPNHS POWERADE FAB 50 Boys Basketball
contact: colleen.s.lynch@espn.com

In a bit of a shuffle this week, two new teams moved up the rankings in the ESPNHS POWERADE FAB 50. Gonzaga Prep (Washington, D.C.) and Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas) moved into the ninth and tenth spots, respectively.  Marcus has been as high as No. 4 earlier this season. Gonzaga Prep, which is from the same league as No. 5 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), is higher than it has ever been. 

Rank School (City, State) Record Prior Ranking
1 Simeon (Chicago, Ill.) 13-0 1
2 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 25-0 2
3 Grace Prep (Arlington, Texas) 13-2 3
4 St. Anthony (Jersey City, NJ) 10-0 4
5 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) 12-0 5
6 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 16-1 6
7 Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.) 10-1 7
8 Chester (Chester, Pa.) 10-0 10
9 Gonzaga Prep (Washington, D.C.) 12-0 11
10 Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas) 21-2 14

 

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