PBA, ESPN Bring Bowling Back Into the Spotlight - Professional Bowlers Association and cable sports channel sign broadcasting contract - Brief Article

Bowling Digest, August, 2001

IN ONE OF THE MORE EXCITING developments for bowling fans in recent years, the PBA has announced an exclusive, long-term television agreement with ESPN. The three-year deal, with a three-year option, also includes PBA promotional spots that will air on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, and ESPN Classic.

"The new element of PBA promotions airing across the ESPN entities will positively impact our fans," PBA commissioner Ian Hamilton says. "Our viewers will now be guided to follow a consistent schedule, which we believe is paramount. This will propel us toward the next 10 or 20 years of bowling on TV."

The deal will give the PBA a consistent schedule of programming that it has not had since its deal with ABC Sports ended in 1997. ESPN will provide live coverage of 20 regular-season events from September 2001 through March 2002 and four to six summer telecasts--all on Sundays or Tuesdays--close to 36 hours of exclusive live coverage. The special summer events in 2001 include three senior tour events and the ABC Masters Tournament. In the works are plans to include some international events in summer 2002.

Bowling has been televised on ESPN since 1979, the first year of operation for the network. "ESPN and the PBA have had a long and successful history and we look forward to building our relationship with them," ESPN vice president of programming Steve Risser says. "The more consistent days and start times will establish a regular viewing pattern for fans across the country."

"We have this deal, but we're not done," Hamilton says. "We want to make our athletes appear larger than life to the rest of the world."