Liberty-Sparks Game on ESPN2 Celebrates WNBA's 15th Season

ESPN2 and ESPN3.com tonight will air the WNBA Liberty-Sparks game in L.A. The matchup commemorates the league's 15th season, as those two teams met in the first-ever WNBA game in '97. The net has a "variety of production plans," including a halftime show with sideline reporter Heather Cox and analysts Doris Burke and Rebecca Lobo. The telecast also will feature an appearance via satellite by Val Ackerman, the league's first President, as well as messages from people connected to WNBA history and "flashback segments." Lobo will call the game alongside play-by-play voice Terry Gannon (FRONTROW.ESPN.com, 6/21). The L.A. TIMES offers a look back at the league's inaugural game.

Meanwhile, the Mystics announced a sponsorship deal with State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance that includes a one-year integrated marketing package. State Farm will activate with an onsite local agent presence, TV and website ads and arena signage during the '11 season, starting with tonight's home game against the Fever at Verizon Center (Mystics).