ESPNLA and the Los Angeles Lakers have reached an agreement to extend their radio play-by-play relationship for seven more seasons, keeping the iconic NBA team on ESPNLA through the 2019-2020 season. ESPNLA (710 AM) will carry all 82 regular-season games as well as the entire preseason and every playoff game. ESPNLA has served as the official radio broadcast home of the Lakers for the last four seasons.
“We have enjoyed a terrific association with the Los Angeles Lakers over the past four years and we could not be happier about extending our relationship until 2020,” said Scott McCarthy, ESPNLA General Manager. “The Lakers are clearly one of the premier organizations in all of sports, and we at ESPNLA are very proud to be their radio home for many years to come.”
The eight-game preseason slate on ESPNLA will tip off Saturday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. PT with the Lakers hosting the Golden State Warriors. The regular season then commences Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 7:30 p.m. as the Lakers host the Los Angeles Clippers. ESPNLA will also carry both of the Lakers preseason games from China, broadcasting each during morning drive in Los Angeles.
John Ireland will continue as the play-by-play commentator for the Lakers radio broadcasts, with Laker great Mychal Thompson as color analyst. Ireland is co-host of the Mason and Ireland show which airs on ESPNLA 710 AM weekdays from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. PT. Thompson, alongside Mark Willard, co-hosts ESPNLA Now, which airs weekdays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. PT.
“Our relationship with ESPNLA has been great and we’re thrilled to extend our agreement for another seven years,” said Tim Harris, Lakers Senior Vice President of Business Operations/Chief Operating Officer. “From John and Mychal calling the games on radio, to all the station management and staff, the entire ESPNLA group is made up of dedicated professionals who are a pleasure to work with. With the station and the Lakers both being fan-first organizations, we feel we’re a perfect match for each other.”About ESPNLAESPNLA serves fans with total coverage of sports in Southern California and beyond. ESPNLA 710 AM provides sports talk, local and national play-by-play, and breaking news coverage. ESPNLA Now, hosted by Mark Willard, airs from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. PT, followed by Mason & Ireland, hosted by Steve Mason & John Ireland from 12-3 p.m. PT, and Max & Marcellus, hosted by Max Kellerman and Marcellus Wiley from 3-7 p.m. PT, also hosts of SportsNation on ESPN 2. ESPNLA 710 is the exclusive home of the Los Angeles Lakers, University of Southern California Football and Basketball, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the Bowl Championship Series and is in partnership with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Live streaming and podcasts for select content are available on ESPNLA.com, the #1 sports website in Southern California.