News (Noticias) Tagged ‘football’

Coors Light, “The World’s Most Refreshing Beer” and official beer sponsor of the NFL, is bringing Latino football fans exclusive coverage of NFL’s biggest events through NFLatino.com, the only Spanish-language website that will feature highlights of NFL games, live news, stats and scores.

“NFLatino.com connects with Hispanic fans by bringing them the excitement of NFL football coverage with a Latino perspective,” Paul Mendieta, director of Hispanic Marketing for MillerCoors, said. “This is the only site providing Hispanic football fans with content in Spanish to create an amazing NFL experience,” he added.

Mendieta said the “Highlights” section of NFLatino.com provides an insider’s look into the biggest plays and top games. “This is the only place where Latino fans can get complete NFL coverage with live and behind-the-scenes interviews of top Hispanic players and weekly coverage of the season’s top plays narrated in Spanish, the language most adult Latinos prefer to use when expressing their emotions and passion,” Mendieta added.

NFLatino.com is powered by Univision and will have a presence in the Univision TV shows Contacto Deportivo and Republica Deportiva.

All season long, Coors Light will be supporting NFLatino.com in radio, POS and through a series of promotional efforts to be executed in local bars and restaurants around the country. In addition to NFLatino.com, Coors Light’s unique experiences are designed to deliver to NFL fans unrivaled access to their favorite sport through programs designed to be relevant to Hispanic consumers:

* Local Events and Coverage: Throughout the NFL season, Coors Light will sponsor mini Football tournaments at participating bars and restaurants in local markets including Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Dallas/Ft. Worth and Phoenix.
* Silver Ticket Promotion: Throughout the season, Coors Light will give away more than 200 pairs of 2008 regular season tickets and 500 NFLShop.com gift certificates via the Silver Ticket sweepstakes. Specially-marked packages of Coors Light and Coors Banquet Vented Wide Mouth Cans and Cold Activated Bottles will have an official entry code that drives fans online to www.coorslight.com to enter, or fans can text their entry code to 745837 (Silver), where legal. Silver Ticket entry codes are available at participating retail stores, as well as at participating bars and restaurants in select states through October 31, 2008. For complete official rules on Silver Ticket and to see an interactive map highlighting where in the country winners are coming from, plus to download team schedules, please visit www.coorslight.com. Consumers can also visit the website for information about entering without purchase.

About MillerCoors

Built on a foundation of great beer brands and more than 288 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to refreshment as cold as the Rockies. MillerCoors brews full-calorie beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft; and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also imports Peroni, Pilsner Urquell and Molson Canadian and offers innovative products such as Miller Chill and the Sparks line of caffeinated alcohol beverages. MillerCoors features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel’s craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, WI and two microbreweries, the Leinenkugel’s 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to become the best beer company in America by driving profitable industry growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company. “

Fox Sports en Español announced the launch of its first-ever weekly NFL football show, Fox Impacto NFL, premiering tonight at 9PM ET/6PM PT. The magazine-style show, hosted by Adrian Garcia with analysis by acclaimed sports commentator Eduardo Blancas, will give a unique insider look at the world of the NFL by evaluating the upcoming games and reviewing the past week’s action with a special focus on the NFL’s key teams and players.

The Fox Impacto NFL duo, Adrian and Eduardo, further the show’s Hispanic flavor and will help satisfy the growing demand amongst Hispanics for America’s greatest sport. This one-of-a-kind dynamic delivers the best highlights from around the league, inside analysis, statistics, and interviews with regards to the NFL’s top players and coaches.

“We are very excited to offer our audience an exclusive show such as Fox Impacto NFL,” said Tom Maney, Senior Vice President of Advertising Sales for Fox Sports en Español. “It only strengthens our existing programming footprint as we again take the lead in bringing our audience the most relevant programming they want.”

Since it is the first and only football program on Fox Sports en Español, the network has high hopes about Fox Impacto NFL and is very pleased with what they will be offering their viewers. Fox Impacto NFL will launch this week and will kick-off its debut featuring interviews with players and coaches from the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. The show will also include a one-on-one special interview segment, Primero y Diez, with NFL players; beginning with Luis Castillo of the San Diego Chargers.

Fox Sports en Español has a track record of attracting the best talent for its programs and this is no exception. With his work as a commentator, anchor and presenter throughout his twenty years of experience in television and radio broadcast, Blancas has continuously proven his passion for football and was the natural choice for the network to launch this program.

“It is exciting to be part of this pioneering program which will be a great success,” said Eduardo Blancas, anchor of Fox Impacto NFL. “It is like no other program out there as Fox Impacto NFL offers sports fans an in depth analysis of the games in a modern, fun, and intense manner.”

About Fox Sports en Español
Fox Sports en Español features more than 1,500 hours of live, exclusive sports programming in Spanish and, with few exceptions, English SAP each year, including InterLiga(TM), the Copa Santander Libertadores, the Copa Nissan Sudamericana, and the FIFA Club World Cup soccer tournaments; the Major League Baseball regular season, divisional playoffs, All-Star Game and World Series; and premier combat sports including championship boxing from Mexico and the U.S, Ultimate Fighting Championship(R)(R) and kickboxing. The channel reaches more than 14.4 million cable and satellite households in the country, of which 4.6 million are U.S. Hispanic households.

Fox Sports en Español is distributed by Fox Cable Networks Group and operated by Fox Pan American Sports LLC, an international sports programming and production entity jointly owned by HM Capital Partners, LLC and News Corporation’s (NYSE: NWS) Fox Sports International. For more information, visit Fox Sports en Español online at foxsportsla.msn.com. “

The Guggenheim Foundation’s proposal to build a museum in Guadalajara has failed because the foundation’s director Thomas Krens refused to scale down the project to fit Mexico’s art budgets, says Guadalajara businessman and art collector Jorge Vergara.

Mr Krens says that Mr Vergara has “absolutely nothing to do with our project in Guadalajara”. However as a powerful figure in the region—Mr Vergara owns the nutrition and cosmetics company Omnilife, four football clubs, and produces films—he is in a position to offer an insight into the processes that have resulted in the impasse.”*

The Carolina Panthers are adding Spanish-language broadcasts this season through a one-year deal with Charlotte-based WNOW-AM.

With the agreement, the Panthers become the 12th franchise in the 32-team National Football League with a broadcast in Spanish.”*

Major League Soccer today announced the 2008 schedule for Verano MLS presented by Tang. In its second edition, Verano MLS presented by Tang, a free summer soccer program, will be offered by MLS teams Chivas USA, Chicago Fire, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo and Kansas City Wizards in their home markets.

One of League’s successful Hispanic grassroots programs, Verano MLS presented by Tang provides youth ages 8-12 a free opportunity to play pick-up-style soccer twice a week in a safe and controlled environment. Working closely with select MLS teams, the four to six week summer program will provide a weekly soccer playing destination, while creating a connection between youth soccer players and their favorite MLS stars. Up to 200 youth will participate in Verano MLS in each market and they will be selected by the participating MLS team.

“Verano MLS returns to offer first-hand professional training in a summer camp setting for upcoming soccer players,” said Neel Shah, Major League Soccer’s Director of Fan Development. “Whether they call it football, futbol or soccer, MLS is proud to provide yet another opportunity for the youth playing the game in the U.S. to have a unique experience while creating a connection with their local MLS team.”

In addition to free soccer training, participants will receive a Verano MLS adidas soccer ball, a Verano MLS adidas t-shirt and an opportunity to meet MLS players and coaches. Each participating Verano MLS team will host a special Verano MLS Family Night during a home game. In addition to a complimentary game ticket for participants and their families, Verano MLS Family Night attendees will receive on-field access and will get an opportunity to sit in a special section in the stadium dedicated to Verano MLS participants.

Each market will have two full-time MLS affiliated coaches who will be present for the entire program. In addition, a minimum of five support coaches will be used to provide additional instruction and guidance. Support coaches will consist of players from MLS Developmental rosters, as well as from the MLS Under-23 and MLS Under-19 rosters.

Verano MLS is part of the successful MLS Hispanic grassroots lineup that includes MLS Futbolito, the League’s official 4-v-4 soccer tournament, and Sueño MLS, a month-long tryout that drove significant media attention while creating the opportunity for players to earn a spot on MLS teams.

Specific market by market Verano MLS presented by Tang event details are as follows:

2008 Verano MLS presented by Tang Schedule
Chivas USA
Location: Bell Gardens Sports Center (8000 Park Lane, Bell Gardens, CA, 90201)
Dates: June 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26 (First Group)
July 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24 (Second Group)
Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm each clinic date

Kansas City Wizards
Location: Swope Park (6310 Lewis Road, Kansas City, MO, 64132)
Dates: June 24, 26, July 1, 3, 8,10,15,17
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm each clinic date

Houston Dynamo
Location: Melrose Park (12200 Melrose Park Rd., Houston, TX)
Dates: July 1, 3, 8, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am each clinic date

FC Dallas
Location: McInnish & R.E. Good Park (2335 Sandy Lake Rd., Carrollton, TX 75006)
Dates: July 1, 3, 8, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm each clinic date

Chicago Fire
Location: Toyota Park (7000 S. Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL 60455
Dates: July 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm each clinic date”*

One kick stands out in Danny Villanueva’s memory.

Game-winning field goal.

Nov. 13, 1966, at DC Stadium.

Cowboys 31, Redskins 30.

He has total recall of that game, right down to the fan who walked into the visitors’ locker room and handed him the ball.”*

In some Latin American countries, a girl’s 15th birthday is officially considered her transition from girl to woman. Tonatiuh, an east Salinas-based folklórico dance group turning 15 this year, is celebrating its artistic maturity with two dance concerts.

“Now Tonatiuh can get married,” Ramón Silva, artistic director of Tonatiuh, said jokingly during a rehearsal in the dance room of Alisal High School. “Our 15th anniversary represents the transition (of the group) from childhood to maturity. We are trying to go up to a professional level.”

Founded in 1993 by Silva when he returned to Salinas after completing a master of fine arts degree at the University of California, Irvine, Tonatiuh is member of the Alisal Center for the Fine Arts, a nonprofit that teaches and stimulates the participation of children and youth in the arts. Silva also teaches folklorico at Alisal High School.”*

Prima J, Interscope/Geffen’s new pop duo and self-proclaimed “Chilosa girls” cover Latina Magazine.
Go to Latina.com for an exclusive video and a free download of Prima J’s single “Corazon”

What is a Chilosa girl?
Prima J describe a Chilosa girl as the fun and fearless girl next door, with lots of spirit and a deep sense of inner self confidence.

Official lead single:
Prima J - “Corazon (You’re Not Alone)” - (audio)
Windows media:
http://geffen.edgeboss.net

Prima J
Self Titled Debut Album - In Stores June 17th
Geffen Records
www.myspace.com/primaj
Corazon on iTunes:
http://click.linksynergy.com

Check out the first two episodes of Prima J’s online video diaries at HolaMun2.com

http://holamun2.com/

Embed code:

About Prima J

The name of their debut single may be “Rock Star,” but the two cousins that make up Prima J are everything but. In fact, Jessica and Janelle Martinez are so down-to-earth, it seems just as odd that their song is the lead track from the Bratz™ Motion Picture Soundtrack (released by Geffen Records July 31st, with the movie following August 3). Far from precocious and everything but bratty, the pair are actually a real-life version of the comradery and competitive edge captured in the movie.

Their recent discovery and success aside, Jessica and Janelle still can’t believe that they’ve not only signed a record deal and are currently finishing their debut album for release later this year, but are also appearing in what is expected to be one of the summer’s cinema hits and have recorded an infectious single destined to help make the soundtrack a smash. “None of this has hit either of us yet,” says Janelle, 18. “I feel like I’m dreaming and someone needs to wake me up. It’s one thing to record a song and a video, but it’s another thing to hear it on the radio or see it on TV. That’s where it’ll really hit me…”

Forgive the girls for not having teen-idol egos, but they’re just too happy and excited to be doing the same thing they’ve been doing for most of their lives—singing and dancing. “We just did the video for ‘Rock Star,’ and it was the greatest experience ever,” says Jessica, 19, with an excited laugh. “We love dancing, and we were dancing all day. It’s so great to get this opportunity to do it in front of a camera, and show people that we do belong here!”

Jessica and Janelle Martinez got their start as a duo when they were barely old enough to talk, performing choreographed cheerleading and dance routines for their family each week during halftime of Dallas Cowboys football games. With five uncles, two aunts, and at least three cousins with each, those family gatherings were large, which explains why the girls, then four, have no problem strutting their stuff in front of audiences now. Says Jessica, “We were always more into music than the rest of our family, and as we got older took every chance we’d get to perform, whether it was cheerleading, dancing, school plays, choir…”

“She did all of the clubs, student government, and had straight-A’s,” says Janelle with a grin. “I was more the class clown, tom-boy type. I like to get my nails and hair done, but at the same time, like to kick it with my guy friends and do sports… She’s the girly one that likes to be chill. I’m the bungee jumper and sky diver that likes roller coasters!” Together, they’re a high-energy pair of real-life girls next door that blend the energy of Janet Jackson and the spunk of Gwen Stefani with the urban pop of TLC and the hip-hip bop of trailblazing duo Salt-N-Pepa.

Living in Rosemead, CA, a predominantly Latin American suburb of Los Angeles, the girls were active in choreography and dancing when they were introduced to Stefanie Ridel, a former bandmate of Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson in the pop act Wild Orchid. Ridel took the pair under her creative wing, and quickly realized that while trios are a lot more common in pop music than duos, this was one pair that would survive just fine on their own.

“We’ve always stuck together, and we’ve always had that fire and known that we really wanted to do this,” says Jessica. “If one of us was good at something, the other was just as good, because we always did everything together.” “And, if one of us ever thought we couldn’t do something, we’ve always been there to support each other,” says Janelle. “We’re so close, we’re like sisters, we’re best friends and we’re never apart. This is just a dream come true.”

“Now that we’ve gotten this far, we’ve realized that it doesn’t matter if you’re the average, girl-next-door type,” says Jessica. “It doesn’t matter what you look like or where you’re from, you should never think that you can’t accomplish something.”

As Mexican-Americans, they hope to be role models to both American and Latin girls, as they consider themselves the face of the new Hispanic in America, part of an emerging generation that “speaks English and lives Latin.” They even go so far as to affectionately refer to each other as “chilosa,” a made-up word that they feel defines Prima-J: two sassy, classy, spicy and feisty girls. They may be the girls next door, but they’re also fun and fearless, with an independent spirit and deep sense of inner confidence.

“We want to have a good time, but we also want to send a message to younger people and be idols for American and the Latin community,” sums Janelle. “Too many people don’t know that if they set their mind to it, they can accomplish anything, just like we have.”

That’s chilosa!

Univision Communications Inc., the leading Spanish-language media company in the United States, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008. For the first quarter, net revenue increased 5.8% to $458.8 million in 2008 from $433.7 million in 2007. Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization² increased 2.8% to $150.9 million in 2008 from $146.8 million in 2007. The company’s music recording and publishing business³ as well as certain non-core assets have been reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented and are not included in the above results.

Joe Uva, Chief Executive Officer, said, “I am pleased that Univision achieved another period of positive results with both our Television and Radio businesses substantially outperforming the broadcast industry. The Univision Network attracted more young adults than CBS to rank as the #4 network for the entire quarter among young adults, Univision Radio continues to deliver exceptional audience share growth and improvement in rank in key markets, and Univision Online forged important partnerships with CNET, the NFL and Verizon Wireless to leverage and build on its unmatched popularity among U.S. Hispanics.”

Uva continued, “Looking to the 2008-2009 Upfront, we feel confident in our competitive position. We are excited to bring the new ROI tool developed with Nielsen to the market, which will provide marketers with valuable television viewing data fused with purchase information to help accurately target consumers, maximize their advertising spending and grow their businesses.”

Andrew W. Hobson, Chief Financial Officer, said, “Our Television and Radio businesses continued to grow in the first quarter with our revenue growth significantly outperforming the overall broadcast industry.”

The following tables set forth the Company’s unaudited financial performance for the three months ended March 31, 2008:

Unaudited In millions		Three Months Ended March 31,
		Net Revenues				OIBDA4
		2008		2007		2008		2007
Television		$365.2		$340.9		$129.6		$119.4
Radio		85.8		83.4		22.0		26.4
Internet		7.8		9.4		(0.7)		1.0
Consolidated		$458.8		$433.7		$150.9		$146.8
2007 amounts represent a predecessor basis of accounting.

TELEVISION HIGHLIGHTS

Univision Network

The following table sets forth the total primetime audience and ranking of the country’s leading broadcast and cable television networks for the first quarter 2008, as measured by Nielsen’s National Television Index (NTI):

		Total U.S. Primetime Network Audience
		1st Quarter 2008
Rank*		Network		Adult 18-34 Avg. Audience (000)		Adult 18-49 Avg. Audience (000)
1		FOX		3,232		7,161
2		ABC		1,336		3,308
3		NBC		1,284		3,339
4		UNIVISION		1,163		1,990
5		CBS		1,147		3,274
6		TBS		692		1,176
7		CW		639		1,153
8		USA		556		1,229
9		MTV		490		630
10		CMDY		475		707
Source: Nielsen Media Research, NTI, 12/31/07-03/30/08 Live+SD data. Primetime defined as M-Sa 8-11p, Su 7-11p. *By Adults 18-34

The Univision Network out delivered CBS to rank as the #4 network in the country in primetime among Adults 18-34 in the first quarter, as measured by Nielsen’s NTI. In the first quarter, Univision delivered more viewers than either ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX on nine out of every 10 nights – or more than 90% of the time – in primetime among Adults 18-34. Among Adults 18-49, Univision ranked as the #5 network in the country in primetime and delivered more 18-49 year old viewers than either ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX on one out of every three nights in the first quarter. Univision maintained its strong results on Friday nights in the first quarter, ranking as the #1 network for the entire night on more than 75% of the Fridays in the quarter among Adults 18-34.

During the first quarter, Univision’s blockbuster novela “Al Diablo con Los Guapos” (“Down With the Beautiful”) propelled the network to the #2 spot among all networks in the country during the highly competitive 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. weeknight hour among Adults 18-34. Univision also broadcast the most-watched “Premio Lo Nuestro” awards show in its history during the quarter, reaching 12 million total viewers and increasing Adult 18-34 viewership 11% over last year. In addition, underscoring the importance of Univision’s weeknight network news to Hispanic Americans, “Noticiero Univision” achieved a record-breaking audience level of 1.3 million Adults 18-49, representing a viewership increase of 5% over first quarter last year while the other major network evening news programs experienced an average decline in viewership of 7%.

Locally, during the 2008 first quarter, Univision stations were ranked as the #1 station in any language in primetime among Adults 18-34 in Los Angeles, Houston, Fresno and Bakersfield. Univision’s primetime novela block outdelivered the competition among Adults 18-49 in Los Angeles, Houston, Fresno and Bakersfield. In total day, Univision stations were ranked as the #1 station in any language in Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Fresno, Austin and Bakersfield among Adults 18-34 and in Los Angeles, Houston, Fresno and Bakersfield among Adults 18-49.

TeleFutura Network

TeleFutura continued its viewership growth in the 2008 first quarter, increasing its primetime audience 6% among Adults 18-34 and 3% among Adults 18-49, and its total day audience 13% among Adults 18-34 and 5% among Adults 18-49, compared to first quarter last year. During the first quarter, TeleFutura was the #2 Spanish-language network, behind only Univision, in weekday daytime, weekend daytime, early morning and late fringe among Adults 18-34, Adults 18-49 and Persons 2+. Additionally, TeleFutura’s primetime movie block increased its popularity, growing its audience 11% among Adults 18-34 and 10% among Adults 18-49, compared to first quarter last year.

Locally, during the 2008 first quarter, TeleFutura stations were ranked as the #2 Spanish-language stations in primetime among Adults 18-34 in Chicago, Houston, San Antonio and Sacramento, and among Adults 18-49 in Los Angeles (tie), Chicago, Houston, San Antonio, Sacramento and Tucson (tie). In total day, TeleFutura stations were ranked as the #2 Spanish-language station among Adults 18-34 in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Sacramento, Fresno (tie), Austin (tie), Tucson (tie) and Bakersfield, and among Adults 18-49 in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix (tie), Sacramento, Austin (tie), Tucson (tie) and Bakersfield (tie).

Galavisión Network

The Galavisión Network delivered its strongest ever first quarter performance in primetime and total day, achieving audience increases of 14% in primetime and 17% in total day among Adults 18-49 compared to first quarter last year. Galavisión remained the #1 Spanish-language cable network among U.S. Hispanics during the quarter, attracting nearly double the Adult 18-49 audience of its closest competitor among the other individually rated Spanish-language cable networks in primetime.

RADIO HIGHLIGHTS

Univision Radio’s net revenue grew 2.9% in the first quarter of 2008, compared to an average decline of 4.8% in the markets we operate in according to Miller Kaplan. In the Arbitron Winter 2008 book, Univision Radio’s outstanding programming and effective cross promotion with Univision’s local television stations resulted in audience share growth and improvement in rank among Adults 18-34 and Adults 25-54 in key markets. In Los Angeles, Univision Radio maintained its leadership position with KLVE and KSCA ranking as the #1 and #2 stations in the market respectively, among Adults 25-54. Univision Radio’s New York station cluster posted notable audience share increases of 14% among Adults 18-34 and 38% among Adults 25-54, compared to the same period last year. In San Francisco, KSOL maintained its #1 ranking in the market among Adults 18-34. Additionally, Univision Radio had the #1 station among Adults 18-34 and Adults 25-54 in Dallas, Phoenix, and Puerto Rico.

INTERNET HIGHLIGHTS

Univision Online unique visits increased by 16% compared to the first quarter last year. In addition, video streams increased 68% in the quarter compared to a year ago, driven by streamlined usage features and the recent launch of the site’s new video portal. During the first quarter, Univision.com announced a partnership with CNET to provide Univision.com users with access to a special mini-site for product reviews, breaking news about technology and original videos to help Spanish-speakers navigate and learn about today’s digital world. Additionally, Univision Online announced a partnership with the National Football League to jointly manage and operate NFLatino.com, powered by Univision.com, the official Spanish-language website of the NFL.

“*

Univision, the most-watched Spanish-language television network in the country, announced plans to broadcast the “Tecate Premios Deportes” Sports Awards, with this country’s leading imported Mexican cerveza as the show’s title sponsor. A star-studded tribute to sports featuring performances by some of Latin music’s leading entertainers and other luminaries will honor the character and sportsmanship of Hispanic athletes and is scheduled to air on July 20, 2008.

As the Spanish-language broadcast home to the top Hispanic sports tournaments in the world, including the FIFA World Cup, Univision will be broadcasting a world-class production celebrating top Hispanic athletes that will take place in front of a live audience from the historic Pasadena Auditorium in Pasadena, California.

This gala red carpet event will feature ten award categories and tributes to some of the most important athletes of our time. Categories include the North American Soccer (Mexican and American Leagues) Best 11; the North American Soccer Player of the Year; Best Hispanic Boxer; Baseball Hispanic All-Star Team; Baseball Hispanic Player of the Year; Basketball Hispanic Player of the Year; American Football Hispanic Player of the Year; the Legends Award; and the Tecate Athlete of the Year award, which will be given to the Male athlete that rose to the top of his sport in 2007. Consumers will also have the opportunity to vote online through Unvision.com for Best Hispanic Female, Best Hispanic Male Athlete of the Year, All-Star Soccer Team of the Year, and All-Star Baseball Team of the Year.

“No one is more passionate about their sports heroes than Hispanic sports fans,” said David Downs, president of Univision Sports. “And as this country’s #1 destination for Hispanic sports fans, Univision is proud to team up with Tecate to recognize the monumental accomplishments of our favorite athletes.”

“We are proud to be the title sponsor for the inaugural Tecate Premios Deportes, which will recognize and celebrate the exceptional talent and accomplishments of Hispanic athletes,” said Carlos Boughton, brand director of Tecate Brand Equity for Heineken USA. “These individuals possess the qualities of our target audience; they embody the character and perseverance needed to succeed in this country. The Tecate Premios Deportes gives us yet another opportunity to strengthen our connection with our consumers through their passion for sports and celebration of Hispanic role models.”

An academy of professional and ex-professional athletes and sports writers, including famed boxer Oscar de la Hoya, popular Mexican ex-soccer goalie Jorge Campos, ex-football great Tony Casillas, NFL Hall of Fame Recipient Anthony Muñoz, former Mexican soccer coach Jesus Bracamontes, and President of the UANL Tigres Enrique Borja, will nominate and select the most accomplished active Hispanic athletes in the various sports categories. In order to be eligible for these awards, athletes must have participated in a televised professional sport in the U.S. during 2007. Judging criteria will be based on the athlete’s statistical excellence; cumulative impact on their team and in the sport; and their reputation as a role model for the Hispanic community.

In an effort to bring sports aficionados even closer to their heroes, cerveza Tecate and Univision will open the doors to the Pasadena Auditorium and invite them to attend the live show. Fourteen hundred seats will be made available to the public, with ticket sale details to be announced at a later date.

For production or talent inquiries, contact David Chavez at

The community solidarity that followed the killing of high school football star Jamiel Shaw Jr. did not last.

A prosecutor has been pulled from the case after clashing with Shaw’s parents, who are demanding hate-crime charges against the suspect, believed to belong to a violent Hispanic gang. And the family is fighting suggestions that an affinity for a rival gang was what led to Shaw’s slaying March 2.

At the heart of the friction is the polarizing issue of race in a city known for its diversity of cultures. Shaw, 17, was black; prosecutors say the man charged with killing him, Pedro Espinoza, is in the country illegally.”*

The growing trend of increased international travel to New York City, combined with the popularity of international sports and the large U.S.-based Spanish-speaking population, has prompted the New York Marriott Marquis, a luxury hotel in Times Square, to add three new international television offerings in all of its guest rooms: Setanta Sports, UNIVISION and Galavisión. These new channel offerings come into place on the heels of the installation of LG 37-inch flat screen televisions in all 1,946 guest rooms in one of New York City’s largest hotels, located in the heart of Times Square. All three channels are offered free of charge to hotel guests.

Setanta Sports is a premium sports television channel dedicated to distinctly European and international football, world-class rugby and other sports. In the United States in 2005, the channel successfully launched with the live broadcast of the Champions League on the DIRECTV platform as a premium channel.*

UNIVISION is the largest Spanish-language network in the United States. Its programming includes novelas, news, sports and entertainment.**

Galavisión provides additional viewing options for the ever-growing and diverse U.S. Hispanic population. It is the only Hispanic network to offer over 50 hours of live programming per week - more than any other Spanish network. Its programming features news, sports TV channels and variety/comedy shows.***

“International sports have become increasingly popular in the United States, amongst Americans and expatriates” says Mike Stengel, general manager of the New York Marriott Marquis. “At the same time, we have noted a significant increase in international hotel guests from Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain and throughout Latin America. There is also a huge Spanish-speaking American population here. We wanted to respond to the interests expressed by our guests in offering these new channels to them. It’s another way for us to serve our guests better and to keep them connected to their favorite programs and sporting events while away from home.”

The New York Marriott Marquis is located at 1535 Broadway, between West 45th and West 46th Streets in New York City. For reservations, call: 1-800-843-4898 or visit www.nymarriottmarquis.com.”*

Appealing to the growing and established Hispanic markets in Houston and South Texas, the Houston Astros and television partner FSN Houston today announced that they have joined forces to produce and televise 15 Astros games in Spanish in 2008.

The Spanish-language broadcasts will be original productions separate from FSN Houston’s telecasts and will be carried on secondary FSN Plus channels on cable systems in Houston and South Texas markets. They also will be made available to DirecTV and Dish Network. Veteran announcer Rene Cardenas, who pioneered Astros Spanish-language radio broadcasts when the team debuted in 1962 and is considered the dean of Major League Baseball Spanish announcers, will team with Raul Saenz to call the games. Spanish graphics will supplement the broadcasts.

The first Astros Spanish-language telecasts are scheduled for May 7 and May 8 against the Washington Nationals. Spanish-language Astros games will be shown throughout the season with six in May, four in June, two in July, two in August and one in September.

In Houston, the games will be carried on Comcast Cable channel 76, which is available to digital cable customers (see schedule below for other markets).

“The Houston Astros are thrilled at the opportunity to provide Spanish-language broadcasts to markets all across Texas,” said Houston Astros Senior Vice President Communications Jay Lucas. “We will provide an excellent product to our Spanish-speaking fans by combining an outstanding broadcast team in Rene Cardenas and Raul Saenz with FSN Houston’s high-caliber production quality. We’re happy to be able to offer this product to fans that have been among the most passionate and devoted to our team throughout the history of our franchise.”

“The Houston Astros are one of the most aggressive teams in Major League Baseball to reach out and market to their Spanish-speaking fans and we’re excited to help them target their fan base,” said FSN Houston Senior Vice President/General Manager Steve Tello. “The Astros recognize the importance of the Hispanic community and have developed a plan that appeals to their growing Spanish audience.”

According to the most current U.S. Census figures, Houston is the fourth largest Hispanic market in the country with a population of 730,865. Hispanics make up 37.4 percent of the Houston market, while 1.1 million Hispanics live in surrounding Harris County. In the Astros’ extended fan base outside of Houston, Hispanics are the majority of the population in six markets, led by Laredo (94.1%), Brownsville (91.3%), McAllen (80.3%), El Paso (76.6%) San Antonio (58.7%) and Corpus Christi (54.3%). With a Hispanic population of 671,394, San Antonio ranks as the nation’s fifth largest Hispanic market.

Fans in those markets will be treated to one of the most prolific Spanish announcers in baseball as Cardenas returns to the Houston broadcast booth. The native of Nicaragua began his Major League Baseball career in 1958 when the Los Angeles Dodgers named him their first Spanish-radio announcer after the team moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. Recognizing the success Cardenas achieved connecting with Spanish-speaking fans in Los Angeles, the Astros hired him in 1962 to direct their Spanish broadcasts when Houston was awarded a major league franchise. He spent 15 years with the Astros and eventually moved to Arlington in 1981 to become the Texas Rangers’ first Spanish broadcaster before returning to Los Angeles in 1982 to call Dodgers game in Spanish until 1998. In 2000 Cardenas was inducted into the Nicaraguan Baseball Hall of Fame. He currently writes a popular sports column for La Prensa and the Astros Spanish-language website and Astros magazine.

Cardenas will work with Saenz, a well-known Texas broadcaster who also serves as analyst on University of Texas football Spanish-radio broadcasts and the Dallas Mavericks Spanish radio network. Since 2004 he’s anchored sportscasts for Dallas-Fort Worth Univision affiliate KUVN where he won a Lone Star Emmy award for Best Sports Story in 2005. Saenz started the first Spanish play-by-play radio broadcasts for the San Antonio Missions Double A minor league baseball team in 2002, and has been sports director at Telemundo affiliates in Houston and San Antonio.

2008 FSN Houston Astros Spanish Language Television Schedule (All times listed are Central)
Day		Date		Opponent		Time
Wed.		May 7		Washington Nationals		7:00 p.m.
Thu.		May 8		Washington Nationals		7:00 p.m.
Tue.		May 20		Chicago Cubs		7:00 p.m.
Wed.		May 21		Chicago Cubs		7:00 p.m.
Thu.		May 22		Philadelphia Phillies		7:00 p.m.
Fri.		May 23		Philadelphia Phillies		7:00 p.m.
Fri.		June 13		New York Yankees		7:00 p.m.
Sat.		June 14		New York Yankees		6:00 p.m.
Fri.		June 27		Boston Red Sox		7:00 p.m.
Sat.		June 28		Boston Red Sox		6:00 p.m.
Fri.		July 18		Chicago Cubs		7:00 p.m.
Sat.		July 19		Chicago Cubs		6:00 p.m.
Fri.		Aug. 1		New York Mets		7:00 p.m.
Sat.		Aug. 2		New York Mets		6:00 p.m.
Fri.		Sept. 12		Chicago Cubs		7:00 p.m.

FSN Plus Astros Spanish Language TV Affiliates:
Market		Cable System		Channel
Aransas Pass		Cable One		20
Austin		Time Warner		77
Beaumont-Port Arthur		Time Warner		15
Brownsville		Time Warner		78
Bryan-College Station		Suddenlink		22
Columbus		Time Warner		79
Corpus Christi		Grande Communications		38
Corpus Christi		Time Warner		6
El Paso		Time Warner		24
Georgetown		Suddenlink		95
Gonzales		Time Warner		75
Harlingen		Time Warner		78
Houston		Comcast Cable		76 (digital basic)
Hilltop Lakes		DMS Cable		39
Kerrville		Time Warner		63
Lampassas		Suddenlink		2
Laredo		Time Warner		16
Lufkin		Suddenlink		15
McAllen		Time Warner		78
Nacogdoches		Suddenlink		14
Port Lavaca		Cable One		20
San Antonio		Time Warner		50
San Marcos		Grande Communications		80

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