ESPN Deportes To Launch January 7, 2004.

ESPN will launch ESPN Deportes, a new a 24-hour, Spanish-language sports network, on Wednesday, January 7 with a premier line-up that will feature a dedicated version of SportsCenter as well as a live telecast of the Golden State Warriors at the Dallas Mavericks.

ESPN Deportes will debut at 8:00 p.m. ET with Somos ESPN Deportes, a show that will preview key programming and feature an array of Latino sports stars, including Eduardo Najera of the Dallas Mavericks, Bernie Williams of the New York Yankees, and veteran race car driver Adrian Fernandez. Somos ESPN Deportes will be followed the inaugural edition of the new Spanish-language production of SportsCenter at 8:30 p.m. ET and by full, on-site coverage in Dallas of the Warriors vs. Mavericks at 9:00 p.m. ET. Following the January 7 launch, ESPN Deportes plans to showcase more than 200 live events in its first year, featuring the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, National Football League, UEFA Champions League, Wimbledon, the French Open, selected boxing events, and much more.

In addition to its live event telecasts, ESPN Deportes will also offer a variety of sports news and information shows. Anchored by SportsCenter, the roster of programs will also include Fuera de Juego, a round table discussion of the world of soccer, Perfiles, which offers revealing interviews with Latin American sports stars, Goles de España, a Spanish soccer analysis and highlights show, and NFL Semanal and RPM Semanal, which will offer weekly insights into the NFL and the world of auto racing.

“The full-time launch of ESPN Deportes demonstrates our commitment to serve the growing appetite of the Latino sports fan,” said Lino Garcia, general manager, ESPN Deportes. “With a mix of marquee live events and quality sports news and information shows, ESPN Deportes will become the primary viewing destination for Latino sports fans.” ESPN Deportes 2004 event programming highlights will include:

• National Basketball Association: three regular season match-ups per week including Wednesday night games and Friday doubleheaders and extensive playoff coverage through the conference finals.

• Major League Baseball: all Sunday Night Baseball games, Wednesday night doubleheaders, a variety of holiday games, and the Home Run Derby.

• National Football League: all Sunday Night Football telecasts, the Pro Bowl, and a selection of pre-season games.

• UEFA Champions League: more than 70 matches including the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final match.

• Major League Soccer: up to 26 matches including regular season and playoffs.

• Wimbledon and French Open: comprehensive coverage of these Grand Slam events, including the early rounds through to the men’s and women’s semifinals.

• Liga del Pacifico: up to 35 games per season of Mexico’s Winter League Baseball, widely considered the best and most prestigious professional baseball league in the country.
ESPN Deportes began in 2000 when ESPN and MLB offered Spanish-language telecasts of the Home Run Derby and a small number of Sunday Night Baseball games. Starting in 2001, ESPN Deportes began offering full Sunday night schedules of Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and exclusive boxing matches.