Network to Televise 80 Regular Season Games, One Preseason Game
Extensive Game Day Coverage with “Kings Pregame Live,” “Kings Postgame Live”
Hall of Famer Mitch Richmond to Serve as Analyst for “Kings Pregame Live,” “Kings Postgame Live” Along with Davis Native, Show Host Guy Haberman
Network Names Veteran Basketball Analyst Bill Herenda “Kings Insider”
“SportsNet Central,” “Yahoo SportsTalk Live,” “Kings Central” and CSNCalifornia.com to Provide In-Depth Kings and NBA News and Analysis All Season Long
SACRAMENTO, CA and SAN FRANCISCO, CA (September 26, 2014) – The Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) and Comcast SportsNet California (@CSNAuthentic), the exclusive local television home of Kings basketball, announced its coverage for the 2014-15 season, which includes 81 games (80 regular season, one preseason); complete analysis leading up to and following each game on Kings Pregame Live and Kings Postgame Live; in-depth 24/7 online coverage on CSNCalifornia.com; and season-long Kings and NBA news, analysis and insider reports on SportsNet Central, Yahoo SportsTalk Live and Kings Central.
The 2014-15 Kings regular season on Comcast SportsNet California gets underway on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. as the Kings host Pacific Division rival Golden State Warriors (coverage begins with Kings Pregame Live at 6:30 p.m.). Calling all the action for Kings games on Comcast SportsNet California will be the veteran announcing team of Grant Napear (@GrantNapearshow) and Jerry Reynolds, along with sideline reporter Kayte Christensen (@kayte_c).
In addition to the 80 regular season games, Comcast SportsNet California will air one preseason game on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. as the Kings host the Toronto Raptors.
“We’re thrilled to have esteemed basketball insiders Mitch Richmond, Guy Haberman and Bill Herenda join our roster,” said Kings President Chris Granger. “The new programming, increased analysis and additional content available on a variety of platforms further reflects our commitment to providing unmatched access and a world class viewing experience for Sacramento Kings fans.”
"It will be both a privilege and a challenge to televise games for one of the most passionate fan bases in the NBA,” said David Koppett, Senior Executive Producer of Live Events, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and Comcast SportsNet California. “We're confident that a franchise on the rise, the voices Kings fans already know and love and our production experience and resources will combine to take Kings Basketball to a new level."
“We’re excited to bring our uniquely qualified network of resources to the passionate fans of the Sacramento Kings,” said Chris Olivere, Senior Director of News, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and Comcast SportsNet California. “We have a tremendous sense of pride in creating original, insightful and entertaining programming for local sports fans on a daily basis. Comcast SportsNet will continue to work tirelessly to present viewers the most comprehensive and in-depth Kings coverage throughout the year.”
Comcast SportsNet California’s Kings game-day and season-long coverage:
Kings Pregame Live, Kings Postgame – In addition to live game coverage, Comcast SportsNet California debuts the region’s most comprehensive pre- and post-game analysis with Kings Pregame Live and Kings Postgame Live. Prior to the game, Kings Pregame Live features a breakdown of the evening’s match-up, interviews with coaches and players, the latest team developments and a look at the other games around the NBA. Immediately following the game, viewers of Kings Postgame Live can look forward to complete game analysis with stats and highlights, locker room interviews and a preview of the next match-up. Kings Pregame Live and Kings Postgame Live are anchored by Guy Haberman (@GuyHaberman) with analysis from Hall of Famer and Kings legend Mitch Richmond (@mitchrichmond23) and Kings Insider Bill Herenda (@billherenda). Note: Additional Kings Pregame Live and Kings Postgame Live analysts will be announced at a later date.
RICHMOND – Richmond, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2014, was originally selected by the Golden State Warriors as the fifth overall pick of the 1988 NBA Draft and won the NBA Rookie of the Year award. In 14 NBA seasons with the Warriors (1988-91), Kings (1991-98), Washington Wizards (1998-01) and Los Angeles Lakers (2001-02), he posted averages of 21.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 35.2 minutes played in 976 games and was a six-time NBA All-Star. In 2003, Richmond’s No. 2 jersey was retired by the Kings, a team Richmond led in scoring for seven straight seasons from 1991-92 to 1997-98, averaging 23.3 points per game, and for which he scored 12,070, third highest in franchise history.
HABERMAN – A native of Davis, Calif., Haberman is one of the region’s most versatile sportscasters. In addition to his anchoring duties for Kings Pregame Live and Kings Postgame Live, Haberman hosts a weekday radio show – “Haberman and Middlekauff” – with NFL analyst John Middlekauff for 95.7 The Game in San Francisco. Prior to 95.7 The Game, he hosted an afternoon drive show on ESPN 940 in Fresno. Haberman’s play-by-play work includes calling games for the Fresno Grizzlies, college basketball for the WAC Sports Network, and Fresno State women’s basketball and softball. He has a degree in broadcast journalism from California State University, Fresno.
Kings Insider Bill Herenda – Veteran basketball analyst Bill Herenda has joined Comcast SportsNet California/CSNCalifornia.com as the network’s Kings Insider. In his new role, Herenda will provide coverage of the Kings across the network’s growing list of multiplatform outlets, including CSNCalifornia.com’s “KingsTalk” section and on-air for SportsNet Central, Yahoo SportsTalk Live, Kings Pregame Live, Kings Postgame Live and other NBA related programming. In addition to his Comcast SportsNet duties, Herenda is the morning sports anchor for KFBK (93.1 FM, 1530 AM) in Sacramento. Prior to joining Comcast SportsNet, Herenda served as a college basketball television analyst for the ESPN family of networks, Comcast Hometown Network and Time Warner Cable. He was also the radio analyst for UC Davis men’s basketball and sideline reporter for Aggies football.
Born in Jersey City, NJ, Herenda was a key member of the 1988 UMass Lowell NCAA Division II National Championship basketball team, which was subsequently inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. A three-year letterman at St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, he played under legendary coach Jerry Halligan. Active in the community, Herenda is the Executive Director of Positive Coaching Alliance-Sacramento and is an alumnus of Leadership Sacramento.
CSNCalifornia.com – CSNCalifornia.com delivers complete Kings and NBA coverage and showcases Kings Insider Bill Herenda and Senior Insider Ray Ratto (@RattoCSN) on the site’s “KingsTalk” section, the latest team and player news, insightful analysis and breakdown, daily insider reports, special web-exclusive videos and commentator blogs. CSNCalifornia.com is the most extensive local source for exclusive online video, player and coach interviews, press conferences and content from Comcast SportsNet's SportsNet Central and Yahoo SportsTalk Live, which offer news and analysis from the region’s most informed local lineup of award-winning reporters, analysts and personalities. Additionally, CSNCalifornia.com will utilize NBC Sports’ “ProBasketballTalk” for nationally-based NBA content. Plus, fans can follow the network’s Kings coverage on Twitter at @CSNKings and join the conversation by using #KingsTalk.
KingsTalk is under the banner of NBC SportsTalk, NBC’s successful digital franchise on NBCSports.com that includes ProFootballTalk, HardballTalk, ProBasketballTalk, ProHockeyTalk, CollegeFootballTalk and GolfTalkCentral. SportsTalk was extended to CSNBayArea.com and CSNCalifornia.com through the creation of A’sTalk, GiantsTalk, KingsTalk, WarriorsTalk, SharksTalk, 49ersTalk and RaidersTalk, which contain interactive content and continually updated insights from the network’s digital and on-air talent.
SportsNet Central presented by AT&T U-verse (6 p.m.) & Hyundai (10:30 p.m.) – During the 2014-15 NBA season, tune into Comcast SportsNet Bay Area’s SportsNet Central (@SNCAuthentic) for in-depth, comprehensive news coverage on the Kings and the NBA, interviews with players and coaches, expert analysis, breaking local and national news, up-to-the-minute scores, the best local video highlights and daily insider reports. Anchored by Dave Feldman (@FeldyCSN) and Ahmed Fareed (@AhmedFareedCSN), SportsNet Central is the place for local fans to turn seven nights a week with half-hour newscasts at 6 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and midnight.
Yahoo SportsTalk Live presented by Comcast Business Edge – Hosted by veteran sports announcer Jim Kozimor (@CSNKoz), Yahoo SportsTalk Live (@YSTL) – airing Monday-Friday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area – is a live, hour-long sports talk show featuring opinionated commentary, in-depth analysis and lively debate on the day’s trending sports and entertainment stories. Throughout the 2014-15 NBA season, Yahoo SportsTalk Live will feature NBA experts and a number of special guests from the Kings, including regular appearances by Insiders Bill Herenda and Ray Ratto.
Kings Central – Each month of the 2014-15 season, Kings Central – a monthly half-hour magazine-style show – will give fans an inside look at the Kings both on and off the court. Hosted by Kayte Christensen, Kings Central will feature interviews with players, coaches and members of the front office, behind-the-scenes footage, exciting game highlights and more. Visit CSNCalifornia.com for air dates and times.
Comcast SportsNet California’s 2014-15 Kings telecast schedule is as follows:
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For approximately 24 hours following each game, Comcast SportsNet California’s Kings telecasts will be available on XFINITY On Demand. Note: Comcast SportsNet California/Kings On Demand is available only in the Kings’ broadcast territory.
ABOUT COMCAST SPORTSNET:
Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and Comcast SportsNet California, both part of NBC Sports Regional Networks, serve more than four million households in Northern California, Nevada, Southern Oregon and Hawaii. Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, the television home of MLB’s San Francisco Giants, NBA’s Golden State Warriors, AFL’s San Jose SaberCats and the official regional sports network of the San Francisco 49ers, also features a robust lineup of Emmy Award-winning news, analysis and original programming. Comcast SportsNet California offers live coverage of MLB’s Oakland Athletics, NBA’s Sacramento Kings, NHL’s San Jose Sharks, MLS’s San Jose Earthquakes and is the official regional sports network of the Oakland Raiders. Collectively, these networks deliver more than 600 live sporting events per year, over 1,500 live studio shows, including SportsNet Central, Yahoo SportsTalk Live, Pregame Live, Postgame Live, Press Conference Live, as well as compelling digital content, up-to-the-minute scores, highlights and breaking news via www.CSNBayArea.com and www.CSNCalifornia.com. Follow both networks on Twitter via @CSNAuthentic.
NBC Sports Regional Networks, part of the NBC Sports Group, consists of 11 regional networks that deliver more than 2,400 live sporting events annually, along with award-winning breaking news, comprehensive analysis, digital content and original programming to more than 43 million homes. The NBC Sports Regional Networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Houston, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, which serves Baltimore and Washington D.C., Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, The Comcast Network, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia and SportsNet New York. For additional information, visit ComcastSportsNet.com. For more information on NBC Sports Group properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.
ABOUT THE SACRAMENTO KINGS:
In May 2013, Vivek Ranadivé led a dynamic and diverse ownership group comprised of leaders in technology, sports, marketing and real estate to purchase the Sacramento Kings. Under the new ownership, the Kings have implemented a forward-looking “NBA 3.0” philosophy that guides the Kings in becoming the first franchise of the21st century. NBA 3.0 is driven by utilizing cutting-edge technology, acting as a positive agent of change in the community, and expanding the team’s and the region’s global brand.