Now that the NBA Finals and horse racing’s Triple Crown events are over, the sports calendar gets somewhat dull until NFL training camps open. Major League Baseball is entering the “dog days of summer” and we don’t have any scheduled events with Mayweather vs. Pacquiao-type buzz.
Well, ESPN’s SportsCenter is hitting the road to add a little spice to its summer lineup. SportsCenter will broadcast live three-hour programs from five different summer events around the nation.
“We’re continuing to look for new ways to get SportsCenter out of the studio and connect with sports fans,” said ESPN svp Rob King. “These five events represent fun slices of Americana and we look forward to bringing them to our viewers.”
ESPN’s road trip will take its flagship program to Spokane, Wash. on June 28 for Hoopfest, the world’s largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament. It will then broadcast from Coney Island in Brooklyn, N.Y. for the Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4.
The show heads to Knoxville, Tenn. for World Championships of Cornhole X on July 11 before the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association World Tournament in Topeka, Kan. on July 18. SportsCenter’s summer trip ends with a two-location show on July 15. ESPN will broadcast from both the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and the WNBA All-Star Game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
In the meantime, check out our “What’s Your Show?” SportsCenter edition: