Rex Ryan Joins ESPN’s ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ Broadcast Team

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN added a big name to its NFL broadcast team Monday.

Former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan was announced as the newest addition ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown broadcast team Monday. Ryan will make his debut as a full-time member of ESPN’s roster this Saturday, April 8 at 3 p.m. ET as he calls Florida State University’s spring game in Tallahassee, Fla.

While his addition is the latest to ESPN’s NFL broadcast ranks, Ryan is no stranger to ESPN as an on-air figure.  He served as a guest analyst for ESPN during the network’s Postseason NFL Countdown on Super Bowl Sunday in Houston in February.

Seth Markman, senior coordinating producer for ESPN’s NFL studio shows, said Ryan’s matter-of-fact personality and his knowledge of the game made him a good fit for the network’s NFL studio shows.

“Rex is authentic – what you see if what you get, and that will be great for our viewers on Sunday NFL Countdown,” Markman said.  “We also look forward to the insight and perspective he will bring to the show as an NFL coach who has worked in the league for two decades.”

Ryan was upbeat as he discussed making the next move in his career.

“This is going to be a new experience for me and I am really excited about it,” Ryan said.  “I’ve been a coach for 30 years and I’ve been around football my entire life.  I’m passionate about the game – just like the fans are, and I’ve coached in the league for a long time, so that’s the perspective I will bring to ESPN.  I’m just going to show up and be myself and have fun with it.”

Ryan’s most recent NFL credentials include coaching the Buffalo Bills during the 2015 and 2016 seasons.  Before that, he served as head coach of the New York Jets from 2009 – 2014.  He led the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship appearances during his tenure in New York.

He spent nine seasons as an NFL assistant with the Baltimore Ravens, winning a Super Bowl Championship with the team at Super Bowl XXXV.  From 2005 – ’08, he served as the team’s defensive coordinator.

The son of legendary NFL coach Buddy Ryan, Rex was also honored in 2006 as the Assistant Coach of the Year by Pro Football Weekly magazine and the Pro Football Writers Association.

Along with his appearances on Sunday NFL Countdown, Ryan will also contribute to ESPN’s flagship news program SportsCenter and on ESPN Radio broadcasts and more.

More information on Rex Ryan’s addition to ESPN’s NFL studio shows is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://espn.go.com/nfl

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NFLonESPN

 

 

 

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ESPN Inks Deal With MLB Superstar Mark Teixeira

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN has added another big name to its list of superstar analysts.

Network officials announced this week the addition of Mark Teixeira to its staff.  The World Series Champion, 5-time Gold Glove winner, and 3-time All-Star will join the worldwide leader in sports as an analyst on its Major League Baseball programs.

The multi-year deal will see Teixeira contributing to SportsCenter, ESPN’s MLB studio programs, and ESPN Radio broadcasts.  The 14-year MLB veteran’s on-air presence is expected to begin with ESPN’s 2017 MLB Spring Training coverage.

Teixeira was humbled and excited to be the latest addition to ESPN’s roster of superstar staff members.

“I couldn’t be more excited to begin this next chapter of my baseball career with ESPN,” Teixeira said. I’m looking forward to being a part of their al-star rotation of commentators and to share my perspective with the fans.”

Teixeira is no stranger to ESPN.  Along with his on-field work, he has appeared many times in the past as a guest analyst on ESPN’s MLB broadcasts on ESPN Radio. That isn’t all.  He has even guest co-hosted on ESPN’s Mike & Mike.

Teixeira announced his retirement on Aug. 5, 2016.  He played in his final game on Oct. 2, 2016.  In 2009, he was a member of the World Series Champion New York Yankees lineup.  He led the American League in home runs and runs batted in that same year.

He also amassed a total of 409 home runs over the course of his career while playing for the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers.

More information on this announcement is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://espn.go.com/mlb

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESPNBaseballTonight

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBTN

 

 

 

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Tigers, Rangers To Play Live On ESPN’s ‘SNB’ Broadcast On May 21

Courtesy: ESPN

The countdown to the start of Major League Baseball’s 2017 season is on, and in anticipation of the season’s start, ESPN has announced one of the games to be featured on its weekly Sunday Night Basebal presented by Taco Belll broadcast schedule.

The Tigers and Rangers will face off on May 21 in an American League interdivisional matchup live on ESPN’s flagship MLB program.  Coverage is set to begin at 8 p.m. EST.  Dan Shulman will have the call for the game.

Shulman will be joined in the booth by analysts Jessica Mendoza and Aaron Boone.  Reporter Buster Olney will also be on hand for the latest in-game interviews and news.

The Rangers’ May 21 road game against the Tigers will mark Texas’ first appearance on Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell for the season.  Detroit will make another live appearance on Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell on July 9 against the 2016 American League Champion Cleveland Indians.

Those that won’t be near a television during either broadcast can still catch the games on the radio on ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes Radio and online via WatchESPN and the ESPN app.  Spanish-speaking audiences and fans in other nations can catch games on television via ESPN Deportes and ESPN International.

More information on ESPN’s 2017 MLB coverage is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://espn.go.com/mlb

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESPNBaseballTonight

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBTN

 

 

 

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Clemson, Alabama Face Off Live In College Football Championship Rematch Monday Night

Courtesy: ESPN

The stage is set for this season’s college football championship, and ESPN will carry full coverage of the rematch from last season’s title game between Clemson and Alabama.

ESPN will begin its coverage of the College Football Championship presented by AT&T tomorrow night at 8 p.m. ET.  The game will be broadcast live from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.  Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Samantha Ponder and Tom Rinaldi will have the call for the showdown between the Tigers and Red Tide.

The worldwide leader in sports and its networks will offer extensive coverage of the game throughout the day leading up to kickoff.  That extensive coverage from ESPN’s networks includes Coaches Film Room on ESPNEWS, Finebaum Filmroom on SEC Network, Homers Telecast on ESPN2 and much more.

Additional coverage on the day will air on ESPNU, ESPN Classic, ESPN Goal Line, and ESPN3.  Those that won’t be near a TV during Monday’s college football championship can still catch the game in full online via WatchESPN and on the radio via ESPN Radio.

The game will also be simulcast live in Spanish on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes Radio and Eduardo Varela will have the call for ESPN Deportes.  Kenneth Garay and Sebastian M. Christensen will have the call for ESPN Deportes Radio.

Along with its broadcast on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes Radio, Monday night’s game will also be broadcast worldwide.  ESPN International will carry the game for fans in more than 179 nations around the world through its networks and streaming services.

More information on the ESPN networks’ coverage of the 2017 college football championship is available online now along with all of the latest college football headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://espn.go.com/college-football

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CFBonESPN

Twitter: http://twitter.com/espncfb

 

 

 

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ESPN Announces College Football Week 14 Broadcast Schedule

Courtesy: ESPN

The ESPN networks’ coverage of college football’s regular season wraps up this weekend with a group of championship matchups on its schedule.

The weekend’s coverage begins live from Detroit Friday when No. 21 Western Michigan takes on Ohio for the MAC Championship.  Broadcast begins at 9 p.m. EST on ESPN2.  Adam Amin will have the call for the game.  He will be joined by analyst Mack Brown for additional commentary.  Reporter Molly McGrath will be on the sidelines for all of the latest in-game news and interviews.

The action continues at 9 p.m. EST live from Santa Clara, CA where No. 9 Colorado will take on No. 5 Washington for the 2016 Pac-12 Conference Championship.  The game will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio.  Bill Rosinski will have the call for the game.  He will be joined by David Norrie for additional commentary.  Ian Fitzsimmons will have all of the latest in-game news and interviews.

No. 4 Clemson rounds out the weekend’s coverage as it takes on Virginia Tech for the ACC Championship Saturday night at 8 p.m. EST on ABC and ESPN Radio.  Clemson is in the College Football Playoff Top 4 right now.  Chris Fowler will have the call for the game on ABC.  He will be joined by Kirk Herbstreit for additional commentary.  Reporter Samantha Ponder will have all of the latest in-game news and interviews.  Bill Rosinski, David Norrie and Ian Fitzsimmons will have the call on ESPN Radio live.

In all, seven championships will be decided this weekend on the ESPN networks.  The season’s final rankings will be revealed Friday at noon.  One more ranking will be announced tonight at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN.  The full schedule for the ESPN networks’ weekend conference championship matchup coverage is noted below.

 

ESPN Network’s Week 14 Slate of Games

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Network
Fri, Dec. 2	7 p.m.	2016 Marathon MAC Football Championship from Detroit: No. 21 Western Michigan vs. Ohio Adam Amin, Mack Brown, Molly McGrath	ESPN2
	9 p.m.	2016 Pac-12 Championship from Santa Clara: No. 9 Colorado vs. No. 5 Washington Bill Rosinski, David Norrie, Ian Fitzsimmons	ESPN Radio
Sat, Dec. 3	Noon	2016 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game: Temple vs. No. 25 Navy Joe Tessitore, Todd Blackledge, Holly Rowe	ABC
		2016 Dynacraft Conference USA Championship Game: Louisiana Tech at Western Kentucky Dave Pasch, Tom Luginbill, Quint Kessenich	ESPN
		Troy at Georgia Southern Jason Benetti, Kelly Stouffer, Paul Carcaterra	ESPN2
	1 p.m.	New Mexico State at South Alabama	ESPN3
	3 p.m.	Louisiana-Lafayette at Louisiana-Monroe	ESPN3
	4 p.m.	2016 SWAC Football Championship Presented by McDonald’s from Houston, Tex.:Grambling vs. Alcorn State Eric Clemons, Jay Walker, Sherree Burruss	ESPNU
	5 p.m.	Georgia State at Idaho	ESPN3
	7:30 p.m.	Arkansas State at Texas State Allen Bestwick, Ahmad Brooks, Kris Budden	ESPN2
	7:45 p.m.	2016 Mountain West Football Championship Game San Diego State at Wyoming Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Todd McShay	ESPN
	8 p.m.	2016 Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game from Orlando, Fla. No. 4 Clemson vs. Virginia Tech TV: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Samantha PonderRadio: Bill Rosinski, David Norrie, Ian Fitzsimmons	ABC and ESPN Radio

Please note: Schedule does not include the second round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship which is carried exclusively by ESPN

 

More information on this weekend’s college football coverage on the ESPN networks is available online now along with all of the latest college football headlines at:

 

 

Website: http://espn.go.com/college-football

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CFBonESPN

Twitter: http://twitter.com/espncfb

 

 

 

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Cubs, Astros Scheduled For Sept. 11 Edition Of ESPN’s ‘SNB’

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN will feature a cross-conference matchup for its September 11^th edition of Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell.

The Cubs and Astros will go under the lights on September 11^th on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell in a game with major playoff implications for at least one team.  The Cubs (NL Central) currently sit alone atop the MLB rankings in both conferences at 84 – 47 while Houston (AL West) is 70 – 62, and sits seventh in the National League Standings. That means that Houston right now is struggling to remain in the hunt for the post season.  So every single win and loss is big for the Astros.

Every win and loss is just as important for the Cubs as for the Astros, but for a different reason.  In the case of Chicago, the team wants to keep its lead over its closest competition, the Texas Rangers.  Texas, Houston’s cross-state (and divisional) rival, currently leads the American League with a record of 79 – 54.  The Rangers also sit atop the American League West and are second overall in the MLB standings right now.  They aren’t too far behind the Cubs.  So every win and every loss for the Cubs is just as important for Chicago as for Houston as it works to remain atop the league standings.

No lineups or pitchers have been announced at this time for either team for the game, which will round out the teams’ three-game weekend series.

Dan Shulman will have the call for the game.  He will be joined in the booth by analysts Aaron Boone and Jessica Mendoza.  The game will be simulcast on TV, on the radio, and online via ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes Radio and WatchESPN.

Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet will precede broadcast of the game beginning at 7pm ET with Karl Ravech at the helm.  He will be joined at the desk by analyst Dallas Braden and ESPN MLB Insider Time Kurkjian.

More information on ESPN’s Sept. 11^th edition of Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://espn.go.com/mlb

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESPNBaseballTonight

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBTN

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Royals, Red Sox Face Off In Series’ Rubber Match Tonight On ESPN’s ‘SNB’ Broadcast

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN rounds out another week of MLB coverage tonight with an American League matchup between the Kansas City Royals and Boston Red Sox.

The conference foes face off tonight on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell in the rubber match between the teams in their three-game weekend series.  The Royals took the series’ first game 6 – 3 and the Red Sox took game two 8 – 3.  Yordano Ventura is expected to get the start for the Royals while Eduardo Rodriguez will take the mound for the Red Sox.

Ventura (9 – 9) has had a week off, last taking the mound on Aug. 23. He was credited with the win in the game against Miami.  He was nearly perfect in his six innings on the mound, too allowing no runs, earned runs, or home runs on just six hits. He allowed just one walk and had six Ks.

Rodriguez (2 – 5) pitched four innings for the Red Sox in the team’s win over the Orioles on Aug.16. He also performed quite well in his short time on the mound, allowing no runs, hits, earned runs, or home runs. He allowed only two walks and had seven Ks in the game.

There is no clear favorite for tonight’s series closer between the Royals and Red Sox. Boston is 39 – 28 at home so far this season while the Royals are 27 – 41 on the road so far this season.  However, Boston is 5 – 5 in its last 10 games versus Kansas City’s 8 – 2 record in its last 10 games.  It has performed far better at home with a record of 40 – 21 so far.  All things considered, tonight’s game can go either way.

Dan Shulman will have the call for tonight’s game on ESPN.  He will be joined in the booth by analysts Aaron Boone and Jessica Mendoza for additional commentary.  Reporter Buster Olney will be on hand for all of the latest in-game news and interviews. Anyone that won’t be near a TV for tonight’s game can still hear it on their local ESPN Radio affiliate beginning at 7pm ET.  Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton will have the call for the broadcast.

Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet will precede tonight’s broadcast beginning at 7pm ET.  Adnan Virk will anchor the broadcast.  He will be joined at the desk by analysts Eduardo Perez and Dallas Braden, and ESPN MLB Insider Tim Kukrjian.

More information on tonight’s game is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://epsn.go.com/mlb

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESPNBaseballTonight

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBTN

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.