ESPN becomes official broadcaster of Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015
“Our stated goal is a simple one: ‘To serve sports fans. . .everywhere.’ With that in mind, it’s fantastic to provide this forum to these athletes, giving everyone a chance to see their courage, passion and performance.” –
Trey Wingo, host of “NFL Live”
“Special Olympics Unified Sports is near and dear to my entire family so you can imagine how overjoyed we were to learn that ESPN will be the Official Broadcaster of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. I’m so proud of ESPN’s commitment to this cause, but more importantly, I’m proud of all of the Special Olympics athletes that we’ll get to watch and follow. They are truly an inspiration to all of us. Let the games begin!” – Sage Steele, host of “NBA Countdown”
“I’m so proud to be associated with ESPN and the Special Olympics. It’s the next step in understanding the love these athletes truly have for sport and their joy in competition. Sport transcends in so many ways and we will see that first hand on their faces- that passion, that enthusiasm and that satisfaction of acceptance. I can’t wait for 2015!” – Kevin Negandhi, “SportsCenter” anchor
This afternoon from the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) Cable Show in Los Angeles, ESPN and LA2015, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games Organizing Committee, announced that the network is now the official broadcaster of the world’s largest sports and humanitarian event, which begins on July 25, 2015.
ESPN will be covering the World Games in English and Spanish via its networks and platforms in the U.S., Mexico, Spanish-speaking Latin America, the Caribbean, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. As part of this, ESPN will produce the Opening Ceremony live as well as a nightly highlights program. KABC-TV will also play a role in the coverage for the Los Angeles market. Specific programming and coverage details will be announced in the months ahead.
“ESPN’s reach and caliber of coverage made them a natural partner for the Special Olympics World Games,” said Patrick McClenahan, president and chief executive officer of LA2015. “ESPN’s legacy of work with Special Olympics and our shared values of athletes first, competition, and unity among others, strengthen the foundation we’re building for the Games and access to them for fans and athletes around the world.”
Disney and ESPN have a long relationship with the Special Olympics, which recently has included a global two-year, multi-million dollar financial and in-kind investment supporting the Special Olympics Unified Sports initiative in September 2013, and ESPN3 providing live coverage of the third-annual NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Sports Basketball Game in February 2014. Last year, Disney became a Founding Champion of the LA2015 World Games, while ESPN previously provided coverage of the 2011 World Games in Athens on ESPN3.
“This agreement to become the official broadcaster of the LA2015 Special Olympics World Games reflects a belief in sport as a powerful vehicle to showcase and promote acceptance and inclusion,” said ESPN President John Skipper. “We have a history with Special Olympics that we are very proud of, and that demonstrates our commitment to highlight the power of sport to positively impact people of all ability levels.”
