ESPN, USGA Ink Extension; More Notes On The Worldwide Leader

ESPN and the USGA have signed an eight-year extension through 2014, under which the net will remain the exclusive cable partner of the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open. The new deal also includes the right to stream content on ESPN360 and ESPN-branded mobile content packages, as well as interactive TV offerings for Thursday and Friday rounds. ESPN.com and USGA.org will continue their par-three Webcast coverage during Thursday and Friday rounds, while ESPN will also hold rights to USGA highlight footage for both TV and new media (ESPN).

NASCAR: As part of ESPN’s Full Circle coverage of Sunday’s NASCAR Busch Series Telcel-Motorola Mexico 200 in Mexico City, ESPN will air a simulcast of ESPN Deportes, marking the first time in its history the net will present Spanish-language coverage of a major event. ESPN2 will air the traditional English-language telecast (ESPN).

AFL: ESPN/ABC this weekend begins its AFL coverage, and Senior Coordinating Producer Jay Rothman said the net will have microphones on coaches and QBs and is “hopeful” of being able to use communications from coaches to QBs’ helmets. He also noted coaches will be wearing earpieces so that announcers “can interact with them during certain times during the game.” Rothman: “Besides educating the viewers, we will be taking viewers inside the game.” The net will use a duet between Bon Jovi and Big & Rich as its theme song and opening video during the ’07 season. The song, “We Got It Goin’ On,” was co-written by the two bands and will appear on Bon Jovi’s upcoming album. Jon Bon Jovi is co-Owner of the Philadelphia Soul (THE DAILY).