Sports

Deportes Telemundo has announced the addition of Mexican soccer legend Carlos Hermosillo to its team of sportscasters and analysts. 

To kick off the start of the Univision Deportes 100 day countdown to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, Univision Communications Inc released “Tu Mundial Está Con Univision” (Your World Cup Home is Univision). With the most extensive array of programming, coverage, analysis, technology offerings and digital resources in the Company’s history, Univision is leveraging its sports, news and entertainment platforms for the next 100 days leading up to and during the 31 days of the World Cup. Univision Network, UniMás, Galavisión, Univision Deportes Network (UDN), UVideos, Univision.com and Univision’s social platforms.

With 100 days from kickoff of the most anticipated event in soccer, ESPN Deportes adds Hugo Sanchez, a former striker long considered Mexico’s best player, to the network’s roster of more than 30 legendary former players and expert soccer journalists. This diverse group will provide its unique perspective and expertise starting June 8, 2014 from Rio de Janeiro.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced plans for the league’s eighth annual Latin nights program titled Noches éneobéoa (eh-nay-bay-ah), which will feature seven commemorative games and celebrate the growing support of NBA fans and players across Latin American and U.S. Hispanic communities.

“Boxeo Telemundo,” sets a historic milestone in 2014 by becoming the first show of its type to celebrate 25 consecutive years on the air. 

mun2 will air its first “Deportes Telemundo en mun2” NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series race live on Friday, February 28 at 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. CST/6 p.m. PST.  “NASCAR en mun2” will air live from the Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, AZ. The series opening race will feature over 25 drivers representing a dozen Mexican states, vying to finish the 120 mile race in first and become the early leader in the standings.

The Vilore and Toyota Mexico Series partnership stems from last year’s success with Latin and Mexican-American fans.

Telemundo Media announced the promotion of Eli Velazquez to Senior Vice President, Sports; effective immediately. Velazquez previously served as Vice President, Sports, Telemundo Media since 2008. He is based in Miami and will continue to report to Jorge Hidalgo, Executive Vice President, Telemundo Sports.

ESPN announced that Eduardo Pérez, former Major League Baseball player and coach, has returned to the network to primarily serve as a Baseball Tonight studio analyst. Pérez will also make appearances on ESPN’s Béisbol Esta Noche on ESPN Deportes.

The front page headline in the January 15, 2014, Los Angeles Times caught my attention: “Futsal: Soccer Small and Fleet.” The article described the exploding popularity of the sport of futsal, a mini-soccer game with five-person teams played on small concrete or turf (sometimes artificial) courts.   By Dr. Carlos E. Cortés / Univision Insights

ESPN Deportes will broadcast a complete two-hour highlight show of the Salon de la Fama del Beisbol Latino (Latino Baseball Hall of Fame) induction ceremony hosted by Guillermo Celis and Kevin Cabral February 9 at 9 p.m. ET. The network will also present live coverage of the events taking place on February 8 during Beisbol Esta Noche, followed by live clips during the presentation of the Caribbean World Series Final.

Major League Soccer announced on Wednesday that former LA Galaxy midfielder and world soccer superstar David Beckham has exercised his option to purchase an MLS expansion team, and that he’ll be setting up shop in Miami.

ESPN Deportes will offer exclusive coverage of the Caribbean World Series 2014 LIVE from Margarita Island, Venezuela. Coverage kicks off with a double-header on February 1, with Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic and Mexico vs. Cuba. After 53 years, Cuba – represented by Villa Clara, champion of Cuba’s National Series -returns to the Series and joins “La Fiesta del Caribe.”

WAPA Television has signed an agreement with Miguel Cotto Promotions to present “Boxeo Boricua” (Puerto Rican Boxing) exclusively in the U.S. on WAPA America.

In our 24/7, instantaneous-gratification world, I’m still amazed at our collective lack of patience when it comes to winning or losing. As sports marketers we talk about building a brand, yet with rampant free agency I’ve long maintained that we are really just rooting for a shirt. Sports fans in our annual omnibus study consistently express a desire for some continuity with the players on their favorite teams, yet the number of players that enjoy a career on a single team, regardless of the sport continues to dwindle.

IMS is introducing a beIN SPORT dedicated sales force in the major advertising markets in the U.S.

The NFL has had more than its share of negative press this season. The league has been under fire for allegations of downplaying brain injury dangers for its players, and more recently has come under fire for at least one team allegedly tolerating bullying among its players. In addition to all this, a recent Harris Poll finds that Americans are most likely to identify the NFL (31%) as among the sports, leagues or organizations in which it would be hardest for a current athlete to “come out” as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).

FOX Deportes and the National Football League are joining forces to bring Super Bowl XLVIII to the network.

Between the return of professional football and the MLB playoffs, September was a busy month for sports fans. Sports websites attracted more than 87 million Americans and 36 million smartphone owners tapped into the action using a sports app.

ESPN Deportes Radio has reached a sub-license agreement with Fox to broadcast the UEFA Champions League.