Major League Lacrosse signs multi-year agreement with ESPN
Published on March 14, 2007 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL) News Release
Boston, MA (March 14, 2007) - Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, and ESPN, The Worldwide Leader In Sports, have agreed on a multi-year extension, according to MLL Commissioner David Gross. ESPN2 has been the national television home of Major League Lacrosse since 2003.
"This collaboration gives us the ultimate opportunity to be successful and it is a historical moment not just for Major League Lacrosse but for the sport of lacrosse," said MLL Founder Jake Steinfeld, CEO of Body By Jake L.L.C. "Teaming with ESPN, The Worldwide Leader In Sports, as well as talented executives like John Skipper, George Bodenheimer and Sean Bratches means the MLL will be able to grow the sport both nationally and internationally because ESPN is on the cutting edge of all sports media technology."
The 10-year commitment runs through the 2016 campaign, which is the longest commitment given by any television outlet to a lacrosse entity. The goal of ESPN and MLL is to bring you lacrosse as it has never been seen before. All 11 games will be shown in high definition (HD) with six of the games being televised live or in primetime. Goalie cams, telestrators and placing microphones on four players per game will combine with HD to give fans the feel of actually being on the field and in the action.
"Fan interest in lacrosse continues to build and our commitment to the sport has grown considerably," said John Skipper, ESPN Executive Vice President, Content. "With this MLL agreement, we plan to enhance our coverage by showcasing extensive live action, a great companion to our expanding college lacrosse schedule."
"This is one of the most significant events in our seven year history," said Gross. "There is no better media company to collaborate with than ESPN, and we look forward to growing Major League Lacrosse into a global multimedia product together."
ESPN and Major League Lacrosse first started working together in 2003 when the two parties agreed on a two-year commitment. MLL went international in 2004 when ESPN International began airing the MLL "Game of the Week". In addition, ESPN broadcast the MLL's 2004 Wild West Tour and the 2004 New Balance Championship game was the first live national telecast of a Major League Lacrosse game. In November of 2004 ESPN and MLL agreed on another two-year contract.
The 2007 television schedule will begin on May 25 when the Boston Cannons travel to Long Island to play the Lizards. Other highlights include the 2007 All Star game on July 8 and the New Balance Championship game on August 26.
2007 Major League Lacrosse television schedule on ESPN2
Game Date Teams Game Time Air Date Air Time (ET)
Friday, May 25 Boston @ Long Island 7:00 p.m. 5/25/07 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 9 Los Angeles @ Denver 9:00 p.m. 6/12/07 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 16 Rochester @ Denver 9:00 p.m. 6/22/07 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 8 All Star Game 12:30 p.m. 7/8/07 12:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 12 Philadelphia @ New Jersey 7:00 p.m. 7/12/07 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 14 Washington @ San Francisco 4:00 p.m. 7/17/07 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 19 Rochester @ Boston 7:00 p.m. 7/19/07 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 26+ New Jersey @ Philadelphia 7:30 p.m. 7/26/07 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 4 Philadelphia @ Washington 4:00 p.m. 8/7/07 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 11 Chicago @ Los Angeles 9:00 p.m. 8/14/07 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 26 New Balance Championship 1:00 p.m. 8/26/07 1:00 p.m.
+ Game will be aired same day
All times are Eastern Standard
Major League Lacrosse Stories from March 14, 2007
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
