November 13, 2002

Portland Trail Blazers President and General Manager Bob Whitsitt announced today that the team has reached a long-term cable deal with Fox Sports Net to televise Blazers games.

The multi-year deal, the first between the two organizations, includes a minimum of 30 games this season reaching 765,000 subscribers throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. Fox Sports Net is also under contract to televise 35 games each season for the remainder of the deal.

“We are very excited about our new partnership with Fox Sports Net” said Whitsitt. “With the loss of ASCN, securing a cable deal became our top priority. This agreement allows us to provide a total television package to our fans, with 72 of our 82 contests available on cable, local and national television.”

Fox Sports Net will begin its broadcast with the Blazers November 20 contest versus the Orlando Magic at the Rose Garden. Fox Sports Net’s coverage will also feature key Western Conference match-ups against Minnesota (Mar. 16 and April 6), San Antonio (Feb. 11), and Dallas (Dec. 4). Eastern Conference games versus Toronto (Dec. 8 and Mar. 12), New Orleans (Dec. 17) and New York (Feb. 17) will also be featured on the schedule.

KGW-TV, the Blazers television partner for the last 10 seasons, will televise 31 games during the 2002-2003 season, while the team will also make 11 national television appearances.

In addition, all regular season Blazers games will be broadcast on the Blazers Radio Network, which can be heard on KXL-750 am throughout Portland and Southwest Washington.

Click here to see a list of broadcast games.