NBA

- Mike Breen, Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy Form Lead Commentary Team
- New Pre-Game Studio Teams Including Host Stuart Scott on ESPN and ABC
- Jalen Rose and Rick Carlisle Join ESPN
- Expanded Role for Dan Shulman

- Celtic Pride is Back
- Plus: The Magazine’s NBA Preview and Tank Johnson in Dallas

October 24, 2007 -- NBA PREVIEW:

A FRESH COAT. For the past nine seasons, Paul Pierce has had to be a one-man band for the Celtics. With the arrival of rock stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, he’s part of a trio that can make Boston pop. Chris Broussard reports.

Garnett/Pierce/Allan Quotes:

* Garnett on Allen and Pierce: “I love it,” KG says. “I told everybody, ‘I’m not doing anything by myself. If I do anything, it’s going to be with these two.’”    » read more »

24 October 2007, Beijing (By Sam Beattie) -- The game of basketball has become big business in China, involving media, merchandising, and marketing. According to the National Basketball Association -- the U.S. professional league known as the NBA -- 83 percent of Chinese between the ages of 15 and 24 are NBA followers. And as Sam Beattie reports from Beijing, the NBA is capitalizing on this growing market.

A nationwide 2-on-2 competition is what the National Basketball Association calls a grassroots marketing campaign.    » read more »

October 16, 2007 -- Former NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy has joined ESPN as part of the lead broadcast team, serving as an analyst alongside play-by-play commentator Mike Breen and analyst Mark Jackson, it was announced today by Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, studio and remote production. Van Gundy will provide analysis for games on ABC and ESPN – including The Finals on ABC – in a role similar to last year when he was a guest analyst during the NBA Playoffs.    » read more »

NBA to Stage Exhibition Game in London

09 October 2007, London (By Tom Rivers) -- In an effort to the increase basketball's international popularity, the National Basketball Association will hold a game Wednesday in London. For VOA, Tom Rivers says it will be a rare opportunity for British fans to catch live NBA action when the Boston Celtics face the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ten days ago, London was treated to NHL professional hockey. In just under three weeks, American football will take center stage here when the NFL hosts a game.    » read more »

Marks first time that Gatorade Signs a NBA Rookie Athlete

CHICAGO (September 27, 2007) - The Gatorade Company, a division of PepsiCo, announced today a new partnership with Kevin Durant of the Seattle Sonics, making him the first NBA rookie athlete ever signed by the Company. The association links one of the most exciting young athletes to hit the hardwood in years to a brand with a dynamic history of celebrating the commitment, passion and character of top athletes.    » read more »

September 20, 2007 -- Brad Daugherty will serve as booth analyst for two upcoming NASCAR Busch Series races. Brad Daugherty, a five-time NBA All-Star and a former winning team owner in the NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, will make his booth debut in Saturday’s NASCAR Busch Series race at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. He also will be in the booth for the NASCAR Busch Series race Saturday, Sept. 29, at Kansas Speedway. Both races air live at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2.    » read more »

09.17.07
Top International Artists Include Joss Stone, Timbaland, Stephen Marley, Eve, and The Hives produced by Pharrell Williams

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – September 17, 2007 – Electronic Arts today unveiled the music track listing for NBA LIVE 08 set to release October 2, 2007. Long considered the industry’s most influential launching pad for innovative new music, this year’s soundtrack features 19 songs – including 5 debut tracks – for an unprecedented international mix of hip-hop, rock, reggae, R&B and more.    » read more »

- For The First Time Ever, Twelve New Stars Will Shine When "Dancing With The Stars" Returns For Its Most Surprising And Biggest Season To Date, Premiering With A Spectacular Three-Night Event
- "Dancing" Devotees Treated to Three Straight Nights of Entertainment and Competition
- First Week's Competition Features a Showdown Between the Women and the Men
- Music Icon Dolly Parton Performs in the First Results Show
- Cast Member Melanie Brown to Appear Exclusively on Tonight's Episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live"

29 August 2007 (By VOA Sports) -- Olympic organizers in China have announced the opening ceremony for the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing was the most popular event requested in the first phase of ticket sales.

Less than five percent of the people requesting tickets to the August 8 ceremony were lucky enough to get one of the 26,000 available tickets.

Only Chinese residents were allowed to apply for tickets in the first phase of sales, which ended June 30. Some 300,000 people made successful requests, buying nearly 1.6 million of the 2.2 million available tickets.    » read more »

AT&T blue room to Feature Interactive E-Card Messaging for Sports Fans

San Antonio, Texas, August 22, 2007 -- Forget the team jerseys, bumper stickers and bobble-head dolls. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) has announced a way for sports fans to champion their team spirit via their computers. AT&T Mascot Mail allows fans to create and send personalized, animated messages to friends. The messages use visual and audio features specific to a fan's favorite team mascot.    » read more »

NEW YORK, August 15 – NBA Commissioner David Stern has issued the following statement:

“As expected, former NBA referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty today to betting on NBA games, including games in which he officiated, and providing confidential information to others who bet on NBA games. We will continue with our ongoing and thorough review of the league’s officiating program to ensure that the best possible policies and procedures are in place to protect the integrity of our game.”

Source: NBA

15 August 2007 -- Former National Basketball Association referee Tim Donaghy has surrendered to police and pled guilty in a federal court in New York on gambling charges.

The Associated Press reports the 40-year-old Donaghy surrendered to authorities at Brooklyn federal court, Wednesday. Donaghy pled guilty to two felony counts - conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and gambling on games in which he was officiating. The two charges carry a total of 25 years in prison.    » read more »

August 13, 2007 -- Award-winning journalists J.A. Adande and Howard Bryant are joining ESPN.com, both as senior writers. Adande will cover the NBA and other sports as well as write columns, while Bryant will contribute a mix of column writing, investigative reporting and long-form narrative. Additionally, Bryant will contribute to ESPN The Magazine, and both will appear on ESPN television and radio networks.    » read more »

06 August 2007 -- Star Chinese center Yao Ming of the NBA's Houston Rockets has married his long-time girlfriend in a lavish private ceremony in Shanghai, China.

The 2.26 meter Yao and his 1.9 meter tall bride, Ye Li, were married Monday in a Chinese-style ceremony at the Shangri-La Hotel. A statement released on behalf of the couple said the three-hour wedding ceremony was attended by more than 70 family members.

Scores of security guards patrolled the hotel to ensure privacy from the media for the couple and their guests.    » read more »