Todays News

Jon Anik Joins Ultimate Fighting Championship

admin — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:15:52 +0000

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has announced that it has agreed to terms with broadcaster Jon Anik, who will serve as a commentator and on-air talent for the fastest-growing sports organization in the world. The 33-year-old Boston native, who has served as a top ESPN host for nearly six years, will handle play-by-play duties for upcoming UFC events to air on FX and FUEL TV. Jon will also fulfill the newly-created host position for the revamped Ultimate Fighter on FX. In addition, he will host UFC’s new magazine show, Ultimate Insider, which premieres on FUEL TV in January.

“Jon Anik has been a top tier talent at ESPN for a number of years and I’ve made it a priority to bring him over to the UFC as we start our new partnership with FOX,” UFC President Dana White said. “It’s critical to seek out the best talent in the business as our company continues to grow.”

Anik, who began his stint with ESPN in 2006 as a SportsCenter anchor, has handled play-by-play duties for college football and the 2010 WBC heavyweight title fight between Vitali Klitschko and Shannon Briggs. He now heads Octagon-side with the opportunity to fulfill what he calls “a chance of a lifetime.”

“The UFC is one of the strongest brands in sports, and in my opinion, it’s the greatest sport in the world,” Anik said. “The product speaks for itself. More frequently than any other sport, the UFC delivers. I had the chance to be on the road at UFC events when I was with ESPN and what separates the UFC from other sports is that it prides itself on being hands-on and fan-friendly.”

“I look forward to helping play a small role in bringing the UFC to as many people across the world as possible. I’m really excited to a part of an organization that is filled with quality people who are the best in the world at what they do.”

Anik, his wife, Christine, and their daughter, Riley will relocate to Las Vegas. He will be based out of the UFC’s corporate headquarters.

Theo Epstein To appear on Chicago Tribune

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:46:33 +0000

Comcast SportsNet will have a very special guest on “Chicago Tribune Live” presented by Captain Morgan (5:30 PM CT) as new Cubs President of Baseball Operations THEO EPSTEIN will join host David Kaplan to discuss Day One on the job, along with his short-term goals and long-term vision of bringing a World Series title to the northside.

NOTE: Comcast SportsNet will re-air the Epstein introductory press conference today at 4:30 PM CT and “Chicago Tribune Live” will be replayed at 11:00 PM CT.

In addition, CSNChicago.com will provide additional Epstein content including extended video clips from today’s press conference, new blogs from Kaplan and Cubs “Insider” Patrick Mooney, and much more.

Dixie Chicks’ VH1 Storytellers Available November 29

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:29:13 +0000

Columbia Records proudly presents Dixie Chicks Storytellers, available for the first time ever on DVD and Blu Ray on Tuesday November 29, 2011.

Recorded live in September 2006 at the historic Los Angeles Theater, Dixie Chicks Storytellers was the grand finale in the whirlwind that surrounded the release of the band’s 5x Grammy Award winning album Taking the Long Way.

Fans are treated to personal anecdotes and inspiration around some of the band’s biggest hits including “Not Ready to Make Nice,” “Cowboy Take Me Away” and “Wide Open Spaces.” Dixie Chicks Storytellers will also feature three never before seen performances from the original broadcast including “Lullaby,” “Easy Silence” and “So Hard” (see below for full track list).

The Dixie Chicks are witty, charming and sometimes irreverent, but above all, incredible musicians and songwriters. With over 25 million albums sold, Dixie Chicks are the biggest selling female band of all time in the U.S. Dixie Chicks are Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison.

Watch the trailer and pre-order now on www.dixiechicks.com

Dixie Chicks Storytellers

The Long Way Around
Truth No. 2
Silent House
Cowboy Take Me Away
Lullaby
Lubbock or Leave it
Not Ready to Make Nice
Easy Silence
So Hard
Wide Open Spaces
Sin Wagon

Discovery Communications and Gaiam to Release 11 New Titles on DVD this September

admin — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:58:15 +0000

Gaiam, Inc., a leading producer of lifestyle media, announced today the release of 11 new DVD titles in September under its exclusive home video license agreement with Discovery Communications: Sister Wives 2; MythBusters Collection 7; Alaska: The Edge of Life; The Ultimate Guide: Dolphins; Kidnap and Rescue; River Monsters Season 3; Lost Tapes Season 2; The Haunted; Nightmare Next Door; Punkin Chunkin; and Toughest Military Jobs.

TLC’s Sister Wives 2
Major life changes hit the Browns as they enter new homes, new schools and welcome a new baby. In the wake of intense controversy, the family of TLC’s hit reality series Sister Wives pick up and move to the suburbs of Las Vegas. Scattered among four different houses, the nation’s most-watched polygamist family is faced with the threat of criminal charges and the challenge of integrating into a new community. This DVD has a total run time of 195 minutes with a SRP of $14.98. Street date: September 27, 2011.

Discovery Channel’s MythBusters Collection 7
The Emmy®-nominated series MythBusters aims to uncover the truth behind popular myths and legends. MythBusters Collection 7 takes on risky experiments as the team dives into dumpsters, attempts to crash and burn an out-of-control racecar and accepts challenges from YouTube fans, such as using a household match to light a homemade cannon. This two-disc DVD set has a total run time of 430 minutes with a SRP of $19.98. Street date: September 13, 2011.

Discovery Channel’s Alaska: The Edge of Life
In Alaska: The Edge of Life viewers will take a virtual, grand-sweeping tour of the Alaskan landscape from the treacherous to the tranquil. This title includes nine hours of nature and its most spectacular moments. The pure white vastness of this mysterious terrain holds both wisdom and turbulent nature, grizzly bears and graceful elk, thundering avalanches and the winding Yukon. This two-disc DVD set has a total run time of 378 minutes with a SRP $19.98. Street date: September 6, 2011.

Discovery Channel’s The Ultimate Guide: Dolphins
In this latest edition of The Ultimate Guide, the program dives into the world of dolphins. These crafty sea creatures are known to have strong intellectual capabilities, which lead them to react with human-like emotions. In this informative series, The Ultimate Guide: Dolphins teaches viewers about the characteristics that make dolphins unique, the secrets of sonar, how they channel aggression and their mating habits. This DVD has a total run time of 129 minutes with a SRP of $14.98. Street date: September 13, 2011.

Discovery Channel’s Kidnap and Rescue
Kidnap and Rescue recounts first-person stories of abduction and explores the challenges of their rescue and recovery. Dramatized re-enactments give viewers an action-packed series where each case is different – whether it is a D.E.A. agent taken by a vengeful cartel, a top high-profile executive being held for ransom or a child being trafficked illegally into someone else’s hands. This DVD has a total run time of 215 minutes with a SRP of $14.98. Street date: September 27, 2011.

Animal Planet’s River Monsters Season 3
The popular series returns, this time traveling to the world’s most remote and exotic destinations. In River Monsters Season 3, biologist and extreme angler Jeremy Wade battles an underwater monster in Papua, New Guinea, known for devouring certain male body parts. He even takes on a pack of eels that are known to rip the flesh from unfortunate swimmers. This two-disc DVD set has a total run time of 430 minutes with a SRP of $19.98. Street date: September 20, 2011.

Animal Planet’s Lost Tapes Season 2
Werewolves, vampires and the Jersey Devil are all explored among animals and insects that science does not recognize. Lost Tapes Season 2 blurs the line between fact and fiction in this first-person, immersive series that reveals creatures with other-worldly biological and behavioral characteristics. Creepy moments are caught on tape and each episode takes an in-depth look at what they reveal. This DVD has a total run time of 200 minutes with a SRP of $14.98. Street date: September 6, 2011.

Animal Planet’s The Haunted
The Haunted will have any viewer wondering if ghosts really exist! Chilling, real-life stories of unexplainable phenomena are explored in each episode. Using sensitive audio recording devices, special infrared cameras and a keen canine teammate, paranormal experts investigate a variety of claims of paranormal activity affecting animals and their owners. In this terrifying series, viewers will witness shadows move across rooms, ghostly voices captured on recorders and a demonologist being attacked. This two-disc DVD set has a total run time of 405 minutes with a SRP of $19.98. Street date: September 6, 2011.

Investigation Discovery’s Nightmare Next Door
Tales of mysterious murders that rocked small-town America are retold in Nightmare Next Door. In this Investigation Discovery series, investigators, prosecutors, family members and neighbors share their stories to help reveal what really happened. Cases reviewed include a college student who disappeared and was found in a landfill the next morning, as well as a suburban Korean-American family that was brutally attacked during a home invasion. This DVD has a total run time of 215 minutes with a SRP of $14.98. Street date: September 6, 2011.

Science Channel’s Punkin Chunkin
The World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association began in 1986 and each year lines up the biggest and best competitors in chunking pumpkins! In Punkin Chunkin, teams compete to build the best machine to turn their pumpkins into projectiles. Each team brings something unique, from air cannons to catapults, and other custom-built machines. This DVD has a total run time of 215 minutes with a SRP of $14.98. Street date: September 27, 2011.

Military Channel’s Toughest Military Jobs
Protecting American lives and borders is not an easy operation. Toughest Military Jobs explores the most difficult and dangerous jobs on land, in the air and at sea on military bases across the country. In this series, see how the Air Force’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal team mines forests to defuse bombs. This DVD has a total run time of 172 minutes with a SRP of $14.98. Street date: September 20, 2011.

Each new DVD release will be available in stores and online wherever DVDs are sold.

About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 210 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through 130-plus worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as US joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

About GAIAM
Gaiam, Inc. (Nasdaq: GAIA) is a leading producer and marketer of lifestyle media and fitness accessories. With a wide distribution network that consists of 64,000 retail doors, 14,600 store within stores, 5,600 media category management locations, a digital distribution platform and more than 10 million direct customers, Gaiam is dedicated to providing solutions for healthy and eco-conscious living. The company dominates the health and wellness category and releases non-theatrical programming focused on family entertainment and conscious media. In addition, Gaiam has an exclusive licensing agreement with Discovery Communications and other licensing partners.

Bill Bellamy, Jalen Rose, Bryon Russell, Ephraim Salaam and Alan Payne Among Others to Participate in American Basketball Association Entertainment League (ABA E League) Open Run

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:08:47 +0000

American Basketball Association (ABA) and its ABA Classics division has announced that it will launch a new entertainment league this fall featuring entertainers, directors, producers, elected officials, business professionals, ex-NBA, NFL, MLB and collegiate athletes.

“There’s no doubt about it, good competitive basketball is a very important pastime for so many professionals in the LA area,” stated Deon Taylor, CEO of Ether Sports Marketing, LLC, and one of the principals in the recently-announced ABA Classics, a celebrity-driven, prize money basketball division of the ABA that will make its debut next summer.

“The ABA E League was created to promote sports and entertainment while supporting the growth of ABA E League’s social network which has generated significant player participation and audience attendance.”

“We are very pleased to be a part of the ABA Entertainment League,” stated Joe Newman, ABA CEO, “and we are looking forward to being a part of this exciting new development in professional basketball. The ABA brand now extends to its ABA Classics Division, WABA and ABA Global.”

The ABA E League is fast emerging as the premier entertainment basketball league in Southern California. The long-term goal of the ABA E League is to create opportunities to promote the sports and entertainment experience while expanding upon and cultivating the ABA E League brand and social network. The ABA E League also fills the void arising from the NBA’s withdrawal of its support for what used to be the NBA Entertainment League 2 years ago.

The ABA E League Open Run will commence Saturday, September 10, 2011 at Memorial Park in Santa Monica at 2600 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica CA 90405, at 1pm; the event will run until 4pm. In attendance will be a number of celebrities and sports figures including Bill Bellamy (Actor), Jalen Rose (NBA & Fab Five), Bryon Russell (NBA), Cuttino Mobley (NBA), Olden Polynice (NBA), Chris Spencer (NFL), and Ephraim Salaam (NFL). The event will feature a DJ spinning great music and will showcase the tremendous basketball talent around LA. The public is invited.

About American Basketball Association, Inc. (ABA):

The ABA is the largest professional sports league in the US with over ninety (90) teams based in the US and internationally. It is also the most diverse professional sports league in history with over 75% of its teams owned by women and minorities. The ABA has made professional basketball fan-friendly and affordable and it teams are committed to working closely with the youth in their communities. The ABA provides over 1000 players, 200 coaches and 200 referees the opportunity to work and compete at the professional level.

About Ether Sports Marketing, LLC (Ether):

Ether is the owner of the exclusive license with the ABA to manage ABA Classics. Ether is led by Hollywood director and CEO Deon Taylor, and is run out of Sacramento and Los Angeles.

BMW Counts Down to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games with Unveiling of ‘BMW Performance Team’

admin — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:35:12 +0000

In celebration of the one-year countdown to the London 2012 Olympic Games, BMW, the Official Mobility Partner of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), today announced the BMW Performance Team, an elite team of Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls. In the lead up to the London 2012 Games, members of the BMW Performance Team will receive financial support as well as access to BMW resources and technologies as they strive for the opportunity to be the world’s greatest.

“As a company dedicated to performance and efficiency, we believe in and share many of the ideals of the Olympic Movement,” said Dan Creed, Vice President, Marketing, BMW of North America. “We are proud to welcome these extraordinary athletes to the BMW family and look forward to an exciting year of development ahead.”

Members of the BMW Performance Team include Ricky Berens (swimming), Matt Chrabot (triathlon), Bryan Clay (track & field), Natalie Coughlin (swimming), Janet Evans (swimming), April Holmes (Paralympic track & field), Jonathan Horton (gymnastics), Clay Johnson (sailing), Sanya Richards-Ross (track & field), and Mallory Weggemann (Paralympic swimming). Combined, members of the BMW Performance Team have amassed 12 Olympic gold medals, seven Olympic silver medals and seven Olympic bronze medals.

In addition to its financial support of Team USA, BMW will also look to apply its engineering expertise to advance the training and performance goals of the Olympic and Paralympic athletes of Team USA. BMW’s engineers are currently working with USA Track & Field to measure athlete velocity using advanced, stereo-vision technologies not unlike those currently being tested in BMW vehicles to improve automotive safety. With these vision systems, BMW hopes to track and analyze athlete motion through the mechanical phases of a sport or event. BMW hopes to be able to deliver continuous, objective and immediate feedback on athlete performance that can then be used by coaches and sports scientists to maximize the efficacy of training sessions. In the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games, BMW engineers will work with the athletes of the BMW Performance Team, coaches and national governing bodies to develop this and other applications of BMW innovations to athlete performance.

“Innovative engineering is at the very core of BMW, and we see the structure of this partnership as no different,” said Creed. “We are looking forward to making a meaningful contribution to sport through the application of our technologies to athletic performance across a number of Olympic events.”

As part of its commitment to Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, BMW recently announced BMW Drive for Team USA, a national drive program that invites consumers to show their support for Team USA. For every participant who test drives a vehicle at one of hundreds of retailer events nationwide through Aug. 13, 2011, BMW of North America will donate $10.00, up to a maximum donation of $200,000. Event participants will also have the opportunity to cast their vote to select the final member of the BMW Performance Team. Evelyn Stevens (cycling), Henry Cejudo (wrestling) and Ursula Grobler (rowing) are the athletes contending for the remaining spot.

To learn more about BMW Group’s partnership with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and its designation as a Sustainability Partner of LOCOG, visit the dedicated press page here (see full URL below). To learn more about BMW’s partnership with the USOC and National Governing Bodies USA Bobsled & Skeleton, US Speedskating, USA Swimming and USA Track & Field, or BMW Drive for Team USA, visit www.bmwusa.com/usoc and www.bmwusa.com/driveforteamusa, respectively.

Music Builds: The CMT Disaster Relief Concert Premieres Live on Thursday, May 12

admin — Thu, 12 May 2011 16:58:54 +0000

CMT and its pro-social initiative CMT One Country will air MUSIC BUILDS: THE CMT DISASTER RELIEF CONCERT, a live, commercial-free, 90-minute concert special featuring a special call to action from President Obama, as well as performances by Hank Williams, Jr., Alabama, Alan Jackson, Gretchen Wilson, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Ronnie Dunn, Sara Evans, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins and more to raise awareness and funds for those affected by the recent devastating storms, flooding and tornadoes.

Co-hosted by ESPN’s Erin Andrews, HLN’s Robin Meade and comedian Ron White, the fundraising special will air live from Nashville on Thursday, May 12 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on CMT and will be simulcast on CMT.com. All money raised will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts.

MUSIC BUILDS: THE CMT DISASTER RELIEF CONCERT will highlight a number of regions affected by recent storm, tornado and flooding damage including Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, Ala.; Natchez and Vicksburg, Miss.; Vidalia, La.; Memphis, Dyersburg and Tiptonville, Tenn.; and Raleigh, N.C. to name a few. In addition to performances, the special will include additional calls to action from Big Kenny, Carrie Underwood, Courteney Cox, Ellen Degeneres, University of Alabama Coach Nick Saban, Nicole Kidman, Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, and others. HLN will re-air the telecast Sunday, May 15 at 9:00 p.m., ET.

MUSIC BUILDS: THE CMT DISASTER RELIEF CONCERT is executive produced by John Hamlin for CMT and Tom Forrest for Taillight Television. It is directed by Ivan Dudynsky.

Great Prostate Cancer Challenge Kicks off This Week

admin — Sat, 07 May 2011 14:50:19 +0000

The largest men’s health event series in America kicks off this weekend with road races, golf tournaments, car shows and more planned for 27 cities across the country.

The Great Prostate Cancer Challenge raised nearly $1M for prostate cancer early detection, and advocacy for increased federal funding for research last year and more than $400,000 was distributed in grants to various

local non-profits and hospitals with the aim of ending prostate cancer.

ZERO chose to begin this year’s Great Prostate Cancer Challenge series on Mother’s Day weekend in Albuquerque, NM, to honor another ZERO board member Sherry Galloway, who’s son, Jeremy Paster, died of

prostate cancer at the age of 36 in 2008.

“We need to take care of our men by making sure every one of them gets tested for prostate cancer,” Galloway said. “One in 10 men under 40 get prostate cancer and usually it’s the most aggressive kind. In honor of

my son Jeremy, join our cause and help save lives.”

More than 15,000 participants are expected for this year’s Great Prostate Cancer Challenge that will include new races in Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit and 10 other locations with a celebrity golf tournament this August in

Myrtle Beach featuring sports greats like NFL Hall of Famer Dan Hampton and legendary musicians like Bradford Marsalis.

“As a runner and someone who’s lost loved ones to cancer, it’s a labor of love to build this event series,” Jamie Bearse, ZERO’s COO and creator of the Dash for Dad said. “We’re proud to partner with urology

practices, volunteers and companies like Abbott all around the country in an effort to end prostate cancer.”

The Great Prostate Cancer Challenge was founded in 2007 in Baltimore and expanded to four cities in 2008, seven in 2009 and then 13 in 2010.

Complete list of event cities:

Albuquerque, NM
Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX
Baltimore, MD
Birmingham, AL
Buffalo, NY
Camden, NJ
Charlotte, NC
Central Florida – The Villages, FL
Cincinnati, OH
Columbus, OH
Dallas, TX
Detroit, MI
Fort Myers, FL
Fort Wayne, IN
Harrisburg, PA
Indianapolis, IN
Kansas City, MO
Knoxville, TN
Memphis, TN
Minneapolis, MN
Myrtle Beach, SC (Golf Tournament)
Nashville, TN
Oklahoma City, OK
Rochester, NY
Tucson, AZ
Washington, DC

Dr. Sanford Siegel, founder of the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge, CEO of Chesapeake Urology Associates in Baltimore, and ZERO Board Member said “We’re more than doubling the number of activities from last

year as the idea of creating close-knit community events that join together athletes, doctors, prostate cancer patients and the family and friends who care about them is really catching on. With the involvement of

thousands of people, the event series delivers the message that men don’t have to die from this disease. It’s a fun event that brings everyone in the community together.”

Tater Grip Hits a Homerun From Kids to Pros

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:48:37 +0000

From Boston’s major league dugout to youth fields across America, Tater Grip is appearing on baseball and softball bats around the country.

Tater Grip’s national direct response commercial, starring Boston Red Sox slugger Adrian Gonzalez, hit the airways in March and the results have been fantastic. Tater Grip can now proudly say they have shipped in all 50 states in just two weeks since its launch date.

Tater Grip’s new patented, proprietary technology, ultimately a slide and shrink-to-fit installation system, allows ball players to custom design a bat handle label which is then visible through the slide-on, clear rubber grip. Tater Grip comes packaged air-tight in a proprietary solvent which expands up to three times its normal size when exposed. When the grip is removed from the package simply slide the grip over the bat knob, and within a couple of hours, it forms and shrinks to the bat handle’s size.

“My daughter hit a grand slam the first time she used Tater Grip,” exclaimed one proud father while watching his daughter play in the Division I college softball tournament in Cathedral City last month. His comment came unsolicited to Craig Pollard, inventor of Tater Grip, who was at the tournament to cheer on two university softball teams with customized Tater Grips on their bats.

“We can feel the buzz this product is generating,” says Pollard. “We are so fortunate to have a major league ball player like Adrian Gonzalez use Tater Grip in a game,” he continues, “as well as top college players and thousands of youth players in a matter of six months since our launch date.”

“There is simply nothing on the market that compares to the Tater Grip in function and style,” says travel softball coach Colleen Stanich. Division I baseball coach

Mike Gillespie says, “Our players have tested Tater Grip and found it to be a great aide in the grip of the bat and comfort in the feel of strength in the approach to hitting. I heartily recommend it to the professional and amateur player alike.”

“We hear the same thing from the kids to the pros – that they love the feel of the grip and the function of it dampening the vibration,” adds Pollard. “Plus the fact that it’s completely customizable makes the product very unique.”

Customizing the grip is very easy. Simply go to www.tatergrip.com and click the Create Label button. Choose from a wide selection of stock labels or use the custom label creator to make your own. Tater Grip also manufactures the grips in solid colors.

New Era Adds NERD to 2011 “Flagbearer” Lineup

admin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:14:56 +0000

The best artists and some of the most interesting people in the world, New Era announced the newest members of its “Flagbearer” family: N*E*R*D*.

Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shae Haley are collectively the three musicians-slash-producers-slash-singers-slash-songwriters known as N*E*R*D*. (No-one Ever Really Dies).

Formed as a concept band in their hometown of Virginia Beach, in 2000, N*E*R*D* stands – defiantly – 10 years later as a group of musicians who have worked tirelessly to carve out and conquer a new space in an otherwise nebulous musical world.

N*E*R*D* joins a dynamic mix of athletes, entrepreneurs and entertainers featured in the 2011 Fly Your Own Flag brand campaign that includes Major League Baseball superstars Joey Votto, BJ and Justin Upton, skateboard legend Stevie Williams and teen film makers of the Ghetto Film School.

“This is a group that has made a name for itself in the music business by creating a sound all their own,” said Christopher H. Koch, CEO. “They’re unique individuals who embody the core values of the Fly Your Own Flag campaign.”