WSA Seals TV Deal
A television deal has been
reached to broadcast World Snowmobile Association
(WSA) Snocross Worldwide Championship (SWC)
races this season, according to WSA CEO Scott
O'Malley.
The deal came in the nick
of time, too. O'Malley said WSA and the Outdoor
Life Network (OLN) reached an agreement a
week before the WSA SWC series opener in Duluth,
Minnesota, which is scheduled for November
28-30. Since 1998, ESPN televised WSA's races,
which also included snowmobile racing coverage
at ESPN's X Games. However, earlier this year,
ESPN and WSA parted ways leaving WSA looking
for a new television outlet. ESPN will continue
to broadcast snowmobile racing at the X Games,
and will televise snocross racing live at
the event January 24-27, 2004 in Aspen, Colorado.
Before reaching a deal with
OLN, WSA had also been in negotiations with
the Speed Channel. However, the Speed Channel
opted to sign a deal with the International
Freestyle Snocross Association to televise
its freestyle events as well as all four Indoor
snocross races.
WSA's deal with OLN is for
one year with a one-year option. However,
WSA and OLN may sign a multi-year agreement
later on, O'Malley said. He also said that
the races will be televised Fridays at 1 p.m.
Eastern and Saturdays at 5 p.m. Eastern roughly
two weeks after each race. The races may get
further coverage Thursday nights on a show
hosted by former Olympic skier Picabo Street.
The show will be produced
by Windfall Productions, the same production
company that's filmed WSA races for a few
years. In addition, most of the shows regulars
will return including Jerry Bernardo and Greg
Creamer. It's uncertain if play-by-play commentator
Paul Page will return, but O'Malley indicated
that he most likely will not return and that
OLN will provide its own play-by-play commentator.
A schedule for broadcast of
the Ski-Doo Duluth National has yet to be
set, but should be scheduled soon.
See
the AMSOIL Snocross Team page
News Contact:
AMSOIL Racing Coordinator
AMSOIL Building
Superior, WI 54880
(715) 392-7101 ext. 220
racing@amsoil.com
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