ESPN Major League Soccer Information & ESPN Major League Soccer Links at HealthHaven.com

ESPN2 Major League Soccer
Format	Soccer
Starring	Various personalities (see below)
Country of origin	United States
Production
Running time	2 or 2.5 hours
Broadcast
Original channel	ESPN2
Original run	1996 – Present

ESPN Major League Soccer is a promotion of Major League Soccer on ESPN2 and ESPN on ABC, with simulcasts on ESPN2HD and ABCHD. Major League Soccer on ESPN2 debuted in 1996, the league's first season, and is guaranteed to stay on the network till at least 2014. From 1996 to 2006, the weekly soccer match on ESPN2 was called MLS Soccer Saturday, but in the new contract, that was replaced by MLS Primetime Thursday.

[edit] History

On August 4, 2006, ESPN reached a comprehensive multimedia agreement with Soccer United Marketing (SUM) for the rights to Major League Soccer through 2014. As part of the eight-year agreement, ESPN2 will televise 26 regular-season and three playoff MLS matches each year, all in primetime on Thursdays. ABC will present the league's three marquee events — the season-opening match, the All-Star Game and the MLS Cup.

Highlights of the agreement include:

ESPN2 will televise 26 regular-season MLS matches, primarily on Thursday nights.
ESPN2 will televise three MLS playoff matches on Thursday nights.
ESPN will televise one regular-season MLS match and the MLS ALL-STAR Game
ABC will broadcast one regular season match and MLS Cup, and has the option of airing the All Star Game.
Televised coverage of the first round of the MLS Draft.
ESPN2 and ABC's MLS telecasts can be re-aired in full or abbreviated versions on any ESPN media platforms
Extensive footage rights for all ESPN media platforms such as SportsCenter, ESPNEWS, ESPN Motion, ESPN360, etc.
ESPN will also produce and be solely responsible for the content, whereas, they had not been able to do that in the past.

Also in 2007, ESPN2's coverage of the MLS included new on-screen scoreboards, similar to those used on other sports telecasts. In 2008, another new score graphic was debuted, this time in the upper left hand corner of the screen.

[edit] Technology

In addition, ESPN2 has numerous production enhancements to the telecasts. They include:

SkyCam: A common element during ESPN's NFL and MLB telecasts, SkyCam will return after making its debut in 2005 on select ABC and ESPN2 telecasts. The device provides an aerial view of the field, giving the viewer a unique angle to appreciate the development and speed of match action.
MLS Wired: Telecasts feature use of the unobtrusive microphones, worn by select coaches and players, to capture some of the compelling in-game interactions and conversations.
KickTrax
HD: Beginning in 2007, all games air in high-definition.

[edit] Personalities

Assignments are based on the 2008 MLS season and ESPN's broadcasts of U.S. men's national soccer team games.

[edit] Current

[edit] Studio team

Julie Foudy (studio analyst, since 2008)
Alexi Lalas (studio analyst, since 2009)
Rob Stone (studio host, since 2008)

[edit] Match commentators

JP Dellacamera (play-by-play, 1996–2006; since 2008)
John Harkes (color commentary, since 2008)
Allen Hopkins (sideline reporter, since 2007)

[edit] Others

Glenn Davis (play-by-play, since 2003)
Tommy Smyth (color commentary, since 2007)
Rob Stone (play-by-play, since 2007)

[edit] Former

[edit] Play-by-play announcers

Phil Schoen (1996–1999)
Jack Edwards (2000–2002)
Dave O'Brien (2006–2007)

[edit] Analysts

Ty Keough (1996–2003)
Eric Wynalda (2004–2007)

[edit] Sideline reporters

Veronica Paysse (2002–2003)
Lorrie Fair (2004)
Brandi Chastain (2005–2006)
Heather Mitts (2005–2006)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

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