Telemundo’s New Sportscasters Hoop It Up In The Big Apple.

Telemundo entered into a new sports season with the NBA on Telemundo and a new team of sports broadcasters to continue the network’s commitment to offer the best in Spanish-language sports coverage, it was announced by Jorge Hidalgo, Senior Vice President of Sports, and James McNamara, President and CEO for Telemundo.

Telemundo’s sportscasting team includes soccer’s international renowned play-by-play announcer and sports personality, Andrés Cantor, who will serve as studio host, and current Telemundo anchor Jessi Losada as play-by-play announcer and co-host of NBA Max, a new weekly 30-minute highlight show. Edgar Lopez, currently with the Dallas Mavericks will provide commentary. John Sutcliffe will cover sidelines for all NBA telecasts. “Al Rojo Vivo’s” female sports anchor, Claudia Trejos will provide commentary on the WNBA, in addition to co-hosting NBA Max.

“We are thrilled to welcome Edgar, John and Claudia to Telemundo’s sports team. Their unique and outstanding experience compliments our award winning team of sportscasters,” said Hidalgo. “Our new sports journalists represent Telemundo’s commitment to broadcast the best of sports and yet another reason why Telemundo is still the sports leader for U.S. Hispanics.”

The number of Hispanic players in the NBA has increased every year. The emergence of these players has aided the NBA’s efforts to build on the growing Hispanic fan base. The NBA has one of the largest and fastest growing Hispanic fan bases in U.S. pro sports. Approximately 64% of Hispanics are NBA fans and Hispanics make up 13% of the total NBA fan base. Hispanics make up a larger percentage of the total NBA fan base than they do for any of the other three major U.S. pro sports leagues (ESPN Sports Poll–Full Year 2001).

“The NBA on Telemundo is one of the most important partnerships for Telemundo as well as for the NBA,” said McNamara. “Having an official Spanish-language television network for NBA games is critical for both our Hispanic sports audience and NBA Hispanic players.”

Telemundo is scheduled to broadcast 15 regular season NBA games live on Saturday and Sunday afternoons beginning November 10th, as well as up to 10 WNBA games beginning with the 2003 WNBA season.