WWE Royal Rumble PPV Predictions

Short and sweet my friends...

John Cena vs. Kane
Winner: Cena by embracing the hate!

WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler
Winner: CM Punk

World Champion Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry
Winner: Daniel Bryan

Royal Rumble - 30 Man Battle Royal
Winner: Chris Jericho
Surprise Returns: Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Road Dogg Jesse James, Road Warrior Animal, Goldust

NBA TV's Fan Night picks Nuggets/Grizzlies

From NBA TV -

Fans Select Denver Nuggets @ Memphis Grizzlies for NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint on Tuesday, Jan. 31

NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint will feature the Denver Nuggets taking on the Memphis Grizzlies on Tues., Jan. 31, at 8:00 p.m. (ET). This match-up was selected by fans who voted via nba.com, NBA’s Facebook page, and Yahoo.com. Host Ernie Johnson and analysts Chris Webber and Greg Anthony will tip-off coverage beginning at 7:00 p.m. (ET) followed by the Autotrader.com Pregame Show beginning at 7:30 p.m. (ET).  GameTime host Rick Kamla and analyst Steve Smith will conclude the evening with a postgame recap featuring highlights from the evening’s match-up.       

Fan Night voting for next week’s match-up on Tues., Feb. 7, will continue on nba.com/nbatv/fannight, the NBA Facebook page and Yahoo.com from Tues., Jan. 31 (8 a.m. ET) – Thurs., Feb. 2 (Midnight ET).  Fans will have the opportunity to select among the following games:

• Utah Jazz @ Indiana Pacers
• Charlotte Bobcats @ Boston Celtics
• Sacramento Kings @ Minnesota Timberwolves
• Phoenix Suns @ Milwaukee Bucks
• Oklahoma City Thunder @ Golden State Warriors

Fans can stay connected to the latest NBA action every Tuesday with The Jump presented by Sprint. Host Jared Greenberg and analysts Brent Barry, Dennis Scott and ‘chat-master’ Sekou Smith will jumpstart Tuesday’s basketball coverage with the live, interactive show.  Fans can submit questions and comments via NBA.com, Facebook or Twitter.  The Jump presented by Sprint will stream live on Jan. 31, at 3 p.m. (ET) on NBA.com and will air at 6:00 p.m. (ET) on NBA TV. 

On Friday, Jan. 27, former NBA All-Star Antonio Davis and Kendall Gill will join NBA GameTime host Vince Cellini from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. (ET) prior to the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors game.   NBA GameTime host Rick Kamla and analysts Steve Smith and Gill will take over for the late broadcast.  On Saturday, Davis will be back in studio with NBA GameTime host Matt Winer and analyst Dennis Scott with coverage beginning at 7 p.m. (ET) followed by the AutoTrader.com Pregame Show at 8:30 p.m. (ET) prior to NBA TV’s coverage of the Sacramento Kings and the Utah Jazz. 

NBA  TV GAMES OF THE WEEK:

JANUARY 30 – FEBRUARY 3             

NBA TV  SCHEDULE (all times ET): Jan. 30 – Feb. 3
MONDAY, JAN. 30
7 p.m.	NBA Regular Season:  Chicago Bulls @ Washington Wizards
10:30 p.m.	NBA Regular Season:  Oklahoma City Thunder @ L.A. Clippers
TUESDAY, JAN. 31  Fan Night presented by Sprint
7:30 p.m.	Autotrader.com Pregame Show		Ernie Johnson, Greg Anthony, Chris Webber
8 p.m.	NBA Regular Season Fan Night Winner:  Denver Nuggets @ Memphis Grizzlies
SATURDAY, FEB. 4
7 p.m.	NBA Regular Season: Orlando Magic @ Indiana Pacers
10:00 p.m.	NBA Regular Season: Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trail Blazers
SUNDAY, FEB. 5
12 p.m. Noon	NBA Regular Season: Memphis Grizzlies @ Boston Celtics

Namath debuts on HBO Saturday

From HBO Sports -

HBO SPORTS AND NFL FILMS EXAMINE THE LIFE OF “BROADWAY JOE”

NAMATH, ONE OF PRO FOOTBALL’S BIGGEST STARS, IN A

DOCUMENTARY DEBUTING JAN. 28, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

          The Emmy^®-winning combination of HBO Sports and NFL Films explores the fascinating life and career of one of pro football’s biggest stars when NAMATH, a documentary on New York Jets icon Joe Namath, debuts SATURDAY, JAN. 28 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

          Other HBO playdates:  Jan 28 (1:00 a.m.) and 31 (noon, midnight), and Feb. 3 (5:30 p.m.), 5 (11:15 a.m.), 7 (noon, 3:30 a.m.), 9 (8:00 p.m., 1:30 a.m.), 11 (3:00 p.m.), 15 (11:30 a.m., 5:45 p.m.) and 17 (7:30 p.m.)

          HBO2 playdates:  Jan. 30 (4:30 p.m., 12:50 a.m.) and Feb. 6 (6:30 p.m., 4:30 a.m.), 18 (7:45 a.m.), 21 (12:25 p.m., 8:00 p.m.), 26 (8:30 a.m.) and 29 (midnight)

          HBO On Demand availability:  Jan. 30-Feb. 28

          Born in Beaver Falls, Pa. in 1943, Namath was raised in western Pennsylvania and was a stellar high school athlete in basketball, baseball and football.  He accepted a football scholarship to the University of Alabama and played quarterback for the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant.  Namath led the Crimson Tide to the top of the national polls in 1964 and his stock as a pro football prospect soared.

          With entertainment mogul Sonny Werblin at the helm of ownership of the New York Jets, Namath elected to sign with the upstart American Football League for a then-staggering $427,000, and by game five of his first season had become the Jets’ starting quarterback.  He was subsequently named AFL Rookie of the Year, and was one of the first sports celebrity superstars, captivating both the entertainment press and fans with his movie-star looks and bigger-than-life “Broadway Joe” personality.

          In a moment that would alter the NFL landscape, Namath led the underdog New York Jets to a world championship title in Super Bowl III versus the heavily favored Baltimore Colts.   His “guarantee” of a Jets upset brought him legendary status.

          While his MVP performance in Super Bowl III was the high point, Namath fashioned a high-flying all-star career during his 13 years in pro football, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

          Now 68, Namath remains engaged in the game with which he has had a lifelong love affair.  He provides radio commentary, is connected to new media initiatives through Facebook and Twitter (@realjoenamath), and hosts his own website destination (broadwayjoe.tv).

          Interviews for the documentary include:  family members Frank Namath, Rita Sims and Jessica Namath; family friends Linwood Alford, Wibby Glover, Al Hassan, Jimmy Walsh and Tad Dowd; former New York Jets teammates Matt Snell, John Schmitt, Don Maynard, Richard Castor, Emerson Boozer and John Riggins; former Jets assistant coach Ken Meyer; former Alabama teammate Gaylon McCollough; former Alabama assistant coach Howard Schnellenberger; former Baltimore Colts head coach Don Shula; former NFL players Mike Curtis, Ben Davidson and Fred Dryer; sports journalists Sal Marchiano, Suzy Kolber, Dave Anderson and Rick Telander; producers Larry Spangler and Roger Smith; attorney Mike Bite; and actress Ann-Margret.

          HBO Sports and NFL Films have a long history of acclaimed football productions, including the 2010 documentary “Lombardi,” which earned rave reviews and received the Sports Emmy^® for Outstanding Documentary.

          The executive producers of NAMATH are Rick Bernstein for HBO Sports and Steve Sabol for NFL Films; produced by Joe Lavine for HBO Sports and Keith Cossrow for NFL Films; Liev Schreiber narrates; music composed by Dave Robidoux of NFL Films; writer, Ouisie Shapiro; senior coordinating producers for NFL FILMS, Pat Kelleher and Ross Ketover; executive producer for Namanco Productions Inc, James Walsh.

          Highlights of NAMATH:

          Former Alabama teammate Gaylon McCollough:  “He had good command of the Alabama offense.  He was shifty, he was all over the field and he almost left you standing in your boots when you were trying to tackle him.  He had tremendous speed and quickness and agility.  He was like trying to tackle the wind.  He could stop on a dime and throw a jump pass 40 or 50 yards.  It was different from what our opponents had seen in the past.”

          Gaylon McCollough:  “One of the tragedies in American sports is that most people never had the chance to see a healthy Joe Namath play, to see how good he really was.  If you had ever seen him at his best, you’d never forget it.”

          Former New York Jets offensive coach Ken Meyer:  “[He’s] the only quarterback I’ve ever been around that you didn’t have to look to see when the ball was released…You could hear the ‘whoosh’ when the ball left his hand.  And that is not kidding!”

         Sports journalist Rick Telander:  “There had not been anybody like Joe Namath, not in sports.  Long hair, sideburns…a Fu Manchu.  Suddenly it’s like, ‘We got some kind of revolutionary here.’  No, you got a guy who’s growing a Fu Manchu ‘cause the chicks dig it.”

          New York sportscaster Sal Marchiano:  “So here was this rascal – not a maverick – a rascal who wore white shoes, wore his hair long, and he went his own way.  He was Mick Jagger in a football uniform.  He wasn’t Pat Boone.  And that’s what America wanted.”

          Former Colts head coach Don Shula on Namath delivering in Super Bowl III:  “You gotta give credit where credit is due, and Namath, he made the predictions, then he made ‘em come true.”

          Former NFL player Fred Dryer:  “That guy was very important to the game of football as a cultural icon, and how he brought professional football into the television era and with it a whole degree of excitement…The likes of him will never ever, ever pass this way again.”

          Joe Namath:  “Something’s been guiding me around throughout my life.  I keep saying, ‘I’m just a lucky guy.’ ”

ESPN's Monday Super Bowl XLVI Coverage

From ESPN - 

ESPN’s Super Bowl XLVI Coverage Starts Monday, Jan. 30 at 6 a.m. ET

Multiple Programs Originating Live from Pan Am Plaza in Indianapolis

 

ESPN’s multimedia news and information coverage of Super Bowl XLVI kicks off Monday, Jan. 30, at 6 a.m. ET and continues throughout the week with more than 110 hours of television and radio programming originating live from Pan Am Plaza (201 South Capitol Avenue) in downtown Indianapolis, Ind.  Mike and Mike in the Morning, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Scott Van Pelt Show, NFL Live, SportsCenter, SportsNation, NFL Live, NFL 32 and Sunday NFL Countdown are some of the ESPN television and radio programs based in Indianapolis throughout the week.

 

Celebrated ESPN studio hosts Chris Berman, covering his 30^th Super Bowl, Mike Greenberg, Suzy Kolber, Steve Levy, Stuart Scott, Mike Tirico and Trey Wingo, will rotate as anchors for the television programs.  Tedy Bruschi, Cris Carter, Trent Dilfer, Herm Edwards, Tom Jackson, Ron Jaworski, Antonio Pierce, Jerry Rice, Mark Schlereth, Darren Woodson and Steve Young, will be among the ESPN personalities who will appear on various programs throughout the week leading into Super Bowl XLVI matchup between the Patriots and Giants.

 

ESPN television and radio shows will be open for public viewing all week and fans are encouraged to attend.

Monday’s schedule (all times ET):

 

6 a.m.  Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN Radio/ESPN2)

                Hosts: Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic

Guests: ESPN analyst Cris Carter (8 - 9 a.m.), Colts linebacker Gary Brackett (8:30 a.m.), Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel (9 a.m.), and NBC’s Sunday Night Football and Super Bowl XLVI analyst Cris Collinsworth (9:30 a.m.)

 

10 a.m.  The Herd (ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS)

                Host: Colin Cowherd

Guest: Keisel (10:30 a.m.)

 

1 p.m.   Scott Van Pelt Show (ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS through 3 p.m. ET)

                Hosts: Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo

Guest: Keisel (2:45 p.m.)

               

3 p.m.   SportsCenter Special (ESPN)

                Host: Steve Levy.  Analysts: John Clayton, Chris Mortensen, and Adam Schefter.

 

4 p.m.   NFL Live (ESPN)

                Host: Trey Wingo.  Analysts: Tedy Bruschi and Mark Schlereth

       

5 p.m.  SportsNation (ESPN2)

                Hosts: Michelle Beadle and Cowherd. Guest analyst Herm Edwards

Throughout the week (M-F, 5-6 p.m.), Sportsnation will originate from ESPN’s demo field and will feature two acts as part of the show each day: the Blue Monkey Sideshow carnival act for SN’s ‘Halftime Show’ and Indy’s own “The Twin Cats” will be the show’s official house band.

Guest: Four-time Super Bowl winning kicker and Indianapolis Colt Adam Vinatieri

 

5 p.m.  SportsCenter (live on ESPNEWS) … to air at 6 p.m. on ESPN

Host: Greenberg. Analysts: Carter and Tom Jackson

               

6 p.m.   NFL 32 (ESPN2)         

                Hosts:  Suzy Kolber and Chris Mortensen.  Analysts:  Bruschi and Schlereth

 

8 p.m.   SportsCenter (ESPN Deportes)

                Host: Ciro Procuna. Analysts: Raul Allegre and Alvaro Martin

               

9 p.m.  SportsCenter (ESPN) … to air at 11 p.m.

                Host: Stuart Scott. Analysts: Merril Hoge and Edwards

               

Note: Commentator and guest schedules subject to change

 

Celtics/Magic Notes from NBA on TNT

From TNT Sports - 

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the NBA – Thursday, January 26, 2012

TNT's NBA coverage continues Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 at 7 p.m. ET with a special one-hour edition of TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com.  Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith will have the exclusive announcement of the 2012 NBA All-Star starters.

Following the pre-game show, TNT’s doubleheader will feature the Chicago Bulls @ New York Knicks (8 p.m. ET) followed by the Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Clippers (10:30 p.m. ET)

****    ****    ****    ****

TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com

Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard on Charles Barkley: “[Charles] has always had my back since day one and I appreciate it.”

Barkley on Magic center Dwight Howard and his impact: “Bill Russell is the greatest defensive center ever. Dwight Howard, I’m not going to put him in Bill Russell’s category. [But Howard] is a great defender and great rebounder.”

  

O’Neal on Dwight Howard and the nickname ‘Superman’: “The good thing about Dwight Howard is he listened and responded. The one thing you have to know about me is that I know what I’m doing.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Game 1:  Boston Celtics (91) @ Orlando Magic (83)

Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Mike Fratello (analyst) with Craig Sager (reporter)

Fratello on Orlando forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis: “When it comes to team defense, ‘Big Baby’ Davis is an important part.”

Fratello on potential Eastern Conference playoff matchups: “In the East there are two teams who are clearly a step above the rest – Chicago and Miami. After that, who can’t beat anybody else in the Eastern Conference? If one of those teams [Orlando or Boston] end up with the wrong matchup in the first round [of the playoffs], watch out.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Halftime

Johnson, O’Neal, Smith and Barkley

Smith on the Boston Celtics’ sloppy first-half play resulting in the Magic holding a 21-point lead: “It’s mental effort that makes the difference, not always shots and rebounds.”

****    ****    ****    **** 

Magic center Dwight Howard on trade rumors: “I’m not going to get traded any time [soon], so just play.”

Fratello on the Celtics’ surge in the second half and the Magic’s demise due to poor shot selection at the end of the 24-second clock: “Those are the shots the Magic have wound up with in the fourth quarter.”

Fratello on the Celtics defensive pressure that helped them close a 27-point deficit and win tonight’s game against the Magic: “You normally don’t see, in a NBA game, pressure take a toll [on a team] the way the Celtics did in the first game of this week [Monday vs. the Clippers] and the second half of tonight’s game.”

  

****    ****    ****    ****

Game 2:  Memphis Grizzlies (91) @ L.A. Clippers (98)

Announcers: Dick Stockton (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Reggie Miller (analyst) with Cheryl Miller (reporter)

Reggie Miller on Memphis Grizzlies Marc Gasol as the second best center in the league: “(Gasol is) much more well-rounded than [Los Angeles Lakers’] Andrew Bynum or [Utah Jazz’s] Al Jefferson. He can rebound, blocks shots, he’s got great hands and he can score.”

Kerr on the throwback uniforms and the night’s retro theme: “I wish some of the guys would’ve busted out the mutton chops and afros for tonight’s game.”

Reggie Miller on the Los Angeles Clippers offensive identity this season: “Eventually, they will be a good half-court team because of CP3 [Chris Paul] and Chauncey Billups. They’ll be an excellent half-court team.”

Kerr on the popularity of the Clippers in Los Angeles: “It’s fun. Let’s face it, the Clippers…they’ve been, probably, the worst franchise in the history of this league. You can’t sugarcoat it – 33 seasons here in L.A. and three winning seasons. Finally, we’re seeing some hope; actually, more than hope. We’re seeing tremendous talent from a team that is on the rise.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Halftime

Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith

O’Neal on Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay: “He’s leading his team and playing very well. When big Zach [Randolph] comes back they’re going to be a dangerous team.”

Barkley on Grizzlies forwards Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph: “That’s a really nice combination those two guys. If they can get on the same page, Memphis is a legit contender in the West.”

Smith on the Celtics head coach Doc Rivers: “I would love to play for Doc Rivers because he’s the kind of coach who’s with you in the trenches.”

****    ****    ****    **** 

Kerr on Clippers point guard Chris Paul’s ability to score at the end of a game: “Chris Paul is a world-class game closer.”

TNT’s Cheryl Miller interviewed Clippers point guard Chris Paul following the game.

Chris Paul on what it will take to get to the next level despite blowing a big first-half lead: “We gotta get better defensively.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai

Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith

Barkley on the Clippers weaknesses: “They aren’t the best team in their own building.  Their half-court offense is not very good and I don’t like their bench as far as the ‘bigs’ go. There is such a drop-off [in size] after Blake [Griffin] and DeAndre [Jordan] come out of the game. They get really small.”

O’Neal on the Clippers: “They are a work in progress but they play with a lot of effort and energy.  They can win a lot of games with that.  Down the stretch, they will become a better half court team as they play more games.  I think they are going to be fine.”

Barkley on the Dwight Howard trade rumors: “The Dwight Howard [trade rumors] are not going to go away because the trade deadline is looming [March 15]. [The Magic] are going to have to address that and answer that question every day.”

The TNT studio crew picked their biggest surprise of the season

O’Neal on Magic guard Ryan Anderson: “He’s a great role player and a very consistent shooter. He doesn’t try to do too much, he does what he does and gets the open shot. If I was a general manager, I would sign him up today.”

Smith on the Chicago Bulls: “They’ve had injuries to key players and through that time, they’ve had John Lucas, Jr. and Mike James holding the fort down. When you expect Rose, Noah and Boozer to lead the team, [head coach Tom] Thibodeau has done a great job to get them to say, ‘no excuses, we should still be the best team in the East’ and they are.”

Barkley on the Denver Nuggets and Grizzlies: “The Nuggets are one of the best teams in the West and the Grizzlies have played very well since losing Zach Randolph [to injury]. [Nuggets] head coach George Karl has proven that he is one of the best coaches in the league.”

The TNT studio crew picked their biggest disappointments of the season

Barkley on the level of play in the NBA: “I love basketball but we’ve got some bad basketball teams in the NBA.”

O’Neal on the Washington Wizards: “With all the ability and talent that [guard] John Wall has, he needs to do a better job leading the team. They make a lot of juvenile mistakes. [Forward] Andray Blatche is a good player but he needs to step up his game a little bit. I’m surprised and disappointed that they are the worst team in the league right now.”

Smith on the New York Knicks: “They made a big acquisition with [center] Tyson Chandler and now they have ‘stickum’ on the basketball. They have a lot of guys that hold the basketball. This is not a team I want to watch with [head coach Mike] D’Antoni and the way it’s constructed.”

Ohio State/Michigan & Baylor/Texas on CBS

From CBS Sports -

BIG TEN BATTLE BETWEEN MICHIGAN AND OHIO STATE HIGHLIGHTS
CBS SPORTS’ COLLEGE BASKETBALL LINE-UP ON SATURDAY, JAN. 28 AND SUNDAY, JAN. 29

CBS Sports’ college basketball schedule continues on Saturday, Jan. 28 (1:00-3:00 PM, ET) with national coverage of *No. 6-ranked Baylor taking on Texas.  On Sunday, Jan. 29 (1:00-3:00 PM, ET), CBS Sports broadcasts nationally *No. 4-ranked Ohio State hosts *No. 20-ranked Michigan. 

Verne Lundquist joins CBS Sports’ lead college basketball analyst Clark Kellogg to call the action at Ferrell Center in Waco, Texas for the Baylor-Texas contest.  Bob Dekas, CBS Sports’ coordinating producer for college basketball, produces and Bob Fishman directs.

Kevin Harlan is joined courtside by Bill Raftery for the call from Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio for the Ohio State-Michigan game.  Steve Scheer produces and Bryan Lilley directs.

AT THE HALF, CBS Sports’ halftime studio show, hosted by Tracy Wolfson provides all the day’s news, scores and highlights live from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City. Vin DeVito produces and Jim Cornell directs. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

In addition, CBS Sports will stream the Ohio State-Michigan game, as well as select games from the entire 2011-12 college basketball schedule, live on CBSSports.com. The games are available exclusively on CBSSports.com and CBS Sports Mobile.

Follow us on Twitter: @CBSSportsGang, @HoopsOnCBS

*AP Poll as of 1/23/12

NBC's got the Pro Bowl Sunday

From NBC Sports -

NBC SPORTS’ SUPER BOWL WEEK KICKS OFF WITH LIVE PRIMETIME COVERAGE OF 2012 NFL PRO BOWL, SUNDAY 7 P.M. ET

Bob Costas, Tony Dungy & Rodney Harrison Host Pre-Game, Halftime and Post-Game Coverage from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Site of Super Bowl XLVI   Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers and Ray Lewis Will Wear Microphones Throughout the Game   Access to Coach/QB Radio Transmissions Highlight NBC’s Production

NEW YORK – January XX, 2012 – Super Bowl XLVI Week on NBC begins this Sunday at 7 p.m. ET with the NFL’s top stars competing in the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl. The NFL’s All-Star Game will take place once again at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii and is the signature event to start the week leading up to Super Bowl XLVI, to be played between the New England Patriots and New York Giants in Indianapolis on Sunday, Feb. 5, on NBC.  Dan Hicks (play-by-play), Mike Mayock and Doug Flutie (analysts), Alex Flanagan and Randy Moss (sideline reporters) call the action from Aloha Stadium.  Football Night in America’s Bob Costas, Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison will host the pre-game, halftime and post-game coverage from inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the site of Super Bowl XLVI.  The 43-man teams are comprised of 21 offensive and 17 defensive players plus five specialists, including a long snapper. The AFC All-Star team will be led by Gary Kubiak and the coaches from the Houston Texans while Mike McCarthy and the Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff will guide the NFC Pro Bowl squad.  Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees lead the NFC against the NFL’s leading rusher Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger.  PRO BOWL PRODUCTION ELEMENTS: Five quarterbacks in the game – Rodgers, Brees, Roethlisberger, Cam Newton and Philip Rivers, along with Ray Lewis - will wear microphones during the game. In addition, NBC will have access to coach-quarterback radio transmission and will deploy its ‘stedi-cam’ operator into the teams’ huddles.  NBC Sports’ Notre Dame Football producer Rob Hyland, who worked as the Sunday Night Football replay producer for three years under SNF producer Fred Gaudelli, will produce the game. Artie Kempner, who directs NFL games for NFL Network and Fox, and who directed Super Bowl XLII, will direct. NBC AND THE PRO BOWL: Sunday’s broadcast marks fourth time ever and the second time in three years that NBC has broadcast the Pro Bowl. The last NBC broadcast of the Pro Bowl was the week after Super Bowl XLIII in February 2009. Prior to that NBC’s last Pro Bowl broadcast was on Jan. 20, 1974 from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City when the AFC, coached by then Raiders coach and former NBC analyst John Madden, defeated the NFC 15-13 on five Garo Yepremian field goals. Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis called the game for NBC. The only other time the Pro Bowl was on NBC was two years earlier, on Jan. 23, 1972, when the AFC defeated the NFC 26-13. That game took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.  PRO BOWL STARTERS: AFC OFFENSE QB Ben Roethlisberger Steelers RB Maurice Jones-Drew Jaguars FB Vonta Leach Ravens WR A.J. Green Bengals Mike Wallace Steelers TE Antonio Gates Chargers T Joe Thomas Browns D’Brickashaw Ferguson Jets G Ben Grubbs Ravens Marshal Yanda Ravens C Nick Mangold Jets AFC DEFENSE DE Elvis Dumerville Broncos Dwight Freeney Colts DT Haloti Ngata Ravens Richard Seymore Raiders OLB Tamba Hali Chiefs Von Miller Broncos ILB Ray Lewis Ravens CB Darrell Revis Jets Champ Bailey Broncos FS Ed Reed Ravens SS Eric Weddle Chargers AFC SPECIAL TEAMS P Shane Lechler Raiders K Sebastian Janikowski Raiders KR Antonio Brown Steelers ST Montell Owens Jaguars NFC OFFENSE QB Aaron Rodgers Packers RB LeSean McCoy Eagles FB Michael Robinson Seahawks WR Larry Fitzgerald Cardinals Steve Smith Panthers TE Jimmy Graham Saints T Jason Peters Eagles Joe Staley 49ers G Jhari Evans Saints Carl Nicks Saints C Ryan Kalil Panthers NFC DEFENSE DE Jared Allen Vikings Jason Babin Eagles DT Justin Smith 49ers Jay Ratliff Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware Cowboys Clay Matthews Packers ILB Patrick Willis 49ers CB Charles Woodson Packers TBA FS Earl Thomas Seahawks SS Adrian Wilson Cardinals NFC SPECIAL TEAMS P Andy Lee 49ers K David Akers 49ers KR Patrick Peterson Cardinals ST Corey Graham Bears

ESPN at Super Bowl XLVI

From ESPN - 

ESPN at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis

110+ Hours of Television and Radio Programming

25+ On-air Commentators with 19 Super Bowl Rings

30^th Super Bowl for Host Chris Berman

ESPN’s live coverage leading up to Super Bowl XLVI begins Monday, Jan. 30, at 6 a.m. ET from Pan American Plaza in Indianapolis and continues through Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, when the New England Patriots face the New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium. Highlights:

·         More than 110 hours of television and radio programming;

·         More than 25 on-air commentators (hosts, analysts, reporters and contributors) on site in Indianapolis – in all, an analyst team of former players and coaches with a combined 19 Super Bowl rings in 29 appearances in the NFL’s biggest game;

·         Content across 18 ESPN platforms: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Classic, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, ESPNEWS HD, ESPN Deportes HD, ESPN International, ESPN.com, ESPN Radio, ESPNRadio.com, ESPN Deportes Radio, ESPNdeportes.com, ESPN The Magazine, WatchESPN, and ESPN Mobile properties; and

·         Super Bowl XLVI aired live in more than 68 million households in 162 countries and territories via ESPN International.

All shows originating from Pan Am Plaza will be available for free public viewing. The on-site operation includes:

§  A 62-by-40-foot outdoor set, enclosed in glass and overlooking Lucas Oil Stadium;

§  A 24-by-48-foot demo field;

§  Aerial views via a “flycam” that spans 300 feet and is suspended 30 feet in the air;

§  Two 16-by-9-foot LED screens for fan viewing of ESPN’s on-site programs; and

§  Two pod camera locations at Pan Am Plaza that showcase the downtown skyline, Union Station and the stadium.

New in 2012:

·         Themed SportsCenter Specials (M-F, 3-4 p.m., ESPN): Host Steve Levy and NFL Insiders John Clayton, Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter discuss the latest league news Monday and Tuesday; Mike Tirico, Trent Dilfer and Merril Hoge discuss safety and head injuries Wednesday; the Monday Night Football team of Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski preview the Super Bowl matchup Thursday; and, on Friday, ESPN’s Super Bowl champion analysts – Tedy Bruschi, Dilfer, Mike Ditka, Gruden, Keyshawn Johnson, Jerry Rice, Mark Schlereth and Steve Young – talk with Tirico about playing in the NFL’s title game.

·         SC Special: NFL Face to Face with Hannah Storm (Tues., Jan. 31 at 9 p.m., ESPN2): ESPN’s Hannah Storm conducts one-on-one interviews in this one-hour special with some of the NFL season’s biggest newsmakers: Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers, Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton, Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, and Colts owner Jim Irsay. Full release.

·         Bill Parcells’ Super Bowl Confidential (Wed., Feb. 1, 7 p.m., ESPN): Two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Parcells discusses all facets of the Super Bowl with Tirico, drawing upon his more than 30 years of experience, including leading both the Giants (1986 and 1990) and Patriots (1996) to the Super Bowl, and his relationships with this year’s head coaches, Tom Coughlin and Bill Belichick, both of whom he mentored when they served as assistant coaches on his teams.

·         NFL32 (M-F, 6 p.m., ESPN2), which debuted in September, is a social media-driven NFL discussion show featuring host Suzy Kolber, NFL Insider Mortensen and a rotating cast of ESPN analysts and guests while engaging with fans via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

·         NFL Kickoff (Friday, 7-9 p.m., ESPN2) with host Trey Wingo, and NFL analysts Bruschi and Schlereth. The show will cover team news, strategies, and injuries.

·         NFL Live expanded to one hour this year (previously 30 minutes) and will air daily from Indianapolis during Super Bowl week with host Wingo, and a rotating cast of ESPN NFL analysts (M-F, 4-5 p.m., ESPN).

·         SportsNation (M-F, 5-6 p.m., ESPN2) will originate from ESPN’s demo field with hosts Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd. Two acts that will be part of the show all week: the Blue Monkey Sideshow carnival act for SN’s ‘Halftime Show’ and Indy’s own “The Twin Cats” will be the show’s official house band.

Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5 ·         A special Sunday 6-10 a.m. edition of Mike & Mike from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studios can be heard and/or watched on ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN2 (6-9 a.m.) and ESPNEWS (9-10 a.m.). The show will provide a comprehensive live game-day preview of the Super Bowl in addition to Mike & Mike’s best interviews from Super Bowl week in Indianapolis. ·         Mike Tirico will host SportsCenter from Lucas Oil Stadium the morning of the Super Bowl (9-10 a.m., ESPN) with analysts Merril Hoge, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski. ·         Covering his 30th Super Bowl, Chris Berman will host the special four-hour Super Bowl edition of Sunday NFL Countdown (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) from Pan Am Plaza with analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, and Keyshawn Johnson. The Monday Night Football team of Tirico, Gruden and Jaworski will join the crew from Lucas Oil Stadium, with Super Bowl champions Tedy Bruschi, Trent Dilfer, Jerry Rice and Steve Young. NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter will also contribute reports. ·         Reporters Rachel Nichols (covering the Giants) and Ed Werder (Patriots) will provide team updates. ·         Postgame coverage on ESPN includes Berman, Jackson and Young on NFL Primetime (10:30-11:30 p.m.), followed by Stuart Scott, Steve Levy, Carter, Dilfer, and Johnson on SportsCenter (11:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.).

ESPN Programming

Throughout Super Bowl week, a host of ESPN studio shows will originate from Pan Am Plaza in Indianapolis. The schedule:

Date	Time (ET)	Show	Network
Mon, Jan. 30 – Thurs, Feb. 2	6-10 a.m.	Mike & Mike in the Morning	ESPN Radio/ESPN2
	9 a.m.-2 p.m.	SportsCenter AM	ESPN
	10 a.m.-1 p.m.	The Herd with Colin Cowherd	ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS
	1-4 p.m.	Scott Van Pelt Show	ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS
	3-4 p.m.	SportsCenter Special	ESPN
	4-5 p.m.	NFL Live	ESPN
	5-6 p.m.	SportsNation	ESPN2
	5-6 p.m.	SportsCenter	ESPN
	6-7 p.m.	NFL 32	ESPN2
	8-9 p.m.	ESPN International coverage
	9-10 p.m.	SportsCenter	ESPN
Fri, Feb. 3	6-10 a.m.	Mike & Mike in the Morning	ESPN Radio/ESPN2
	9 a.m.-2 p.m.	SportsCenter AM	ESPN
	10 a.m.-1 p.m.	The Herd with Colin Cowherd	ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS
	1-2 p.m.	NFL Semanal	ESPN Deportes
	1-4 p.m.	Scott Van Pelt Show	ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS
	3-4 p.m.	SportsCenter Special	ESPN
	4-5 p.m.	NFL Live	ESPN
	5-6 p.m.	SportsNation	ESPN2
	5-6 p.m.	SportsCenter	ESPN
	6-7 p.m.	NFL 32	ESPN2
	7-9 p.m.	NFL Kickoff	ESPN2
	10-11 p.m.	SportsCenter	ESPN
Sat, Feb. 4	10-11 a.m.	SportsCenter	ESPN
	1-2:30 p.m.	ESPN International coverage
	6-7 p.m.	SportsCenter	ESPN
Sun, Feb. 5	9-10 a.m.	SportsCenter	ESPN
	10 a.m.-2 p.m.	Sunday NFL Countdown	ESPN
	10:30-11:30 p.m.	NFL Primetime	ESPN
	11:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.	SportsCenter	ESPN

Note: Interview segments for First Take, Around the Horn, Pardon the Interruption and other ESPN programs will also originate from Indianapolis.

ESPN Radio

ESPN Radio will air more than 50 hours of live programming from Indianapolis prior to Super Bowl XLVI.

Super Bowl Week: Monday, Jan. 30-Friday, Feb. 3

ESPN Radio’s weekday Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m.), The Herd with Colin Cowherd (10 a.m.-1 p.m.), The Scott Van Pelt Show (1-4 p.m.), and co-host Mark Schlereth’s half of Hill & Schlereth (7-10 p.m.), co-hosted by Mike Hill in Bristol, will originate from Indianapolis during Super Bowl week.

  

Mike & Mike with co-hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, and The Herd with Cowherd, will be open for public viewing at ESPN’s main set in Pan Am Plaza, surrounded by the NFL Super Bowl Village events. Van Pelt, with Ryen Russillo, and Schlereth, will broadcast their shows from the adjacent Pan Am Building. Mike & Mike is simulcast on ESPN2, while The Herd and Van Pelt are simulcast on ESPNEWS. All shows are streamed live on ESPN.com and available via ESPN Podcast.

Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5:

A special Sunday 6-10 a.m. edition of Mike & Mike from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studios can be heard and/or watched on ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN2 (6-9 a.m.) and ESPNEWS (9-10 a.m.). The show will provide a comprehensive live game-day preview of the Super Bowl in addition to Mike & Mike’s best interviews from Super Bowl week in Indianapolis. 

ESPNRadio.com will carry ESPN Radio programming live.

ESPN.com

ESPN.com will provide complete reporting and analysis of the game, teams, players, coaches and the entire Super Bowl scene from Indianapolis on Page 1 and the main NFL page, as well as on the 2012 edition of Super Bowl Central. ESPN.com will also present chats with ESPN.com writers and others, as well as video reports throughout the week.

ESPN’s roster of journalists will be on hand, including senior NFL writer John Clayton, as well as Adam Schefter, Ashley Fox, Elizabeth Merrill, the NFL Blog Network and Scouts Inc. They will provide insight, commentary, breaking news and analysis of all facets of the Super Bowl XLVI matchup. Other highlights:

·         NFL Any Era team: ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine put together a 20-member panel of Pro Football Hall of Famers to select an NFL Any Era team -- current players who the stars of yesterday most admire for their toughness, grit and skill. ESPN.com will reveal four players a day, culminating with the final four on Friday, Jan. 27. The presentation includes a video roundtable with Hall of Famers Mike Ditka, John Randle and James Lofton, as well as a video interview with the No. 1 player;
·         Interactive presentation Inside a Moment in Time takes readers inside John Elway’s famous “Helicopter Run” in Super Bowl XXXII against the Packers. The presentation has video interviews with Elway, Rod Smith, Eugene Robinson and more;
·         Road to Indy blog: reports from ESPN.com’s blog network;
·         Complete coverage of Media Day, where users can interact with bloggers on the scene;
·         Super Bowl rings presentation highlighting one player from each of the 45 teams who have earned Super Bowl rings; and
·         In-depth analysis, scouting reports and rankings of all 106 players on the Super Bowl rosters from Scouts Inc.

ESPN Mobile will provide fans on-the-go with alerts, updates and news throughout the game. Additionally, fans can access the latest action through the ESPN mobile Web site and up-to-the-minute scores via the ESPN ScoreCenter mobile app. 

ESPN International

ESPN International will air Super Bowl XLVI live to more than 68 million households in 162 countries and territories throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Brazil, Africa, the Middle East, Israel, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Pacific Rim, and much of Europe. Commentary and analysis will be provided in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. Highlights:

·    The game will be seen in HD in Australia, Latin America, Brazil and the Caribbean;

·    ESPN International’s SportsCenter production team will report throughout the week to Latin America and throughout the Pacific Rim;

·    ESPN Latin America will also air daily editions of NFL Semanal;

·    ESPN Brazil will air live the pre-game Abre o Jogo Super Bowl XLVI directly from Lucas Oil Stadium, along with a dedicated live Twittcam @espnagora behind the scenes and commentary from on-air duo Everaldo Marques and Paulo Antunes;

·    Live coverage on Super Bowl Sunday in Latin America will begin at 3 p.m. with an extended pregame: NFL Esta Noche: Previo Super Bowl XLVI EN VIVO, followed by the telecast of Super Bowl XLVI at 6 p.m.; and

·    Spanish-language Emmy nominee and play-by-play announcer Álvaro Martín, analyst and former New York Giants Super Bowl-winning kicker  Raúl Allegre, NFL Esta Noche hosts Eduardo Varela and Pablo Viruega, and reporters John Sutcliffe, Goga Ruiz and Ciro Procuna will report daily on Spanish-language editions of SportsCenter, Radio Formula, Nacion ESPN and Los Capitanes. 

ESPN DEPORTES

ESPN Deportes will offer the most comprehensive coverage of Super Bowl XLVI on Spanish-language television in the U.S. The network will have a team of reporters and commentators in Indianapolis all week for nightly segments on SportsCenter and live feeds during Los Capitanes and Nación ESPN. Additionally, ESPN's signature Spanish-language NFL news and analysis program, NFL Esta Noche, will air a special Saturday edition from Indianapolis with hosts Allegre, Martín, Procuna and Sutcliffe.

ESPN Deportes Radio, the only around-the-clock national Spanish-language sports radio network in the U.S., will provide Super Bowl reporting beginning Sunday, January 29. It will be heard during the regularly scheduled weekday programs ESPN Al Despertar, Zona ESPN and two special editions of the NFL show El Ultimo Pase.

ESPNdeportes.com, the Spanish-language Web site, will provide complete reporting and highlights from Indianapolis all week, including daily Cover It Live chats with ESPN Deportes’ on-site commentators, including Álvaro Martin, Raúl Allegre, Lalo Varela, Ciro Procuna and John Sutcliffe.

Spanish-language fans can also follow the action via social media on the network’s Facebook and Twitter pages.  Extensive coverage of Super Bowl week will also include fan polls, blogs, video reports, chats and exclusive video.

ESPN The Magazine

ESPN The Magazine is hosting its eighth annual NEXT EVENT on Friday, February 3, in Indianapolis to celebrate its annual NEXT issue, which recognizes an elite group of emerging athletes to watch in the year ahead. The Magazine will take over 40,000 square feet of a warehouse a few short miles from downtown Indy and convert the space into the most anticipated Super Bowl celebration of the weekend. The event includes a 40-foot “red carpet” entrance and a tailored social media studio featuring ESPN NFL analyst Marcellus Wiley and Numbers Never Lie host Charissa Thompson, as well as on-site sponsorship activations.

The Magazine’s NEXT Event will feature a live special performance by multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated artist DRAKE with music by DJ D-Nice in addition to athletes, musicians, VIPs and celebrities. The invite-only party will showcase what's NEXT in sports, technology, lifestyle and, of course, what’s NEXT from ESPN. ESPN The Magazine’s NEXT Event sponsors include: Bud Light, Dunkin’ Donuts, Ford, Kaspersky Labs, LG, Makers Mark, Old Spice, Powerade, Snickers, Van Heusen Institute of Style, and Vicks Dayquil/Nyquil.

espnW

Kate Fagan will report daily from the Super Bowl for espnW.com starting Monday, Jan. 30. She will cover a variety of topics including Media Day and will preview Madonna’s much anticipated halftime show.

*All times ET unless otherwise noted.