COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew and ONN-TV today announced the network's 2007 Crew broadcast schedule, which will ensure that all 15 Crew road games in 2007 will be televised. For the third straight season, ONN will televise the majority of Crew road games, totaling at least 10 this year, beginning April 14 at Real Salt Lake. The complete schedule follows.
Dwight Burgess, the original "Voice of the Crew," will handle play-by-play duties for all ONN broadcasts and Bill McDermott returns for another season as lead analyst. Katie Witham returns for her third season as sideline reporter.
Fox Soccer Channel will air two more Crew road games nationally and HDNet will televise the other three (in addition to two ONN is carrying, as well), meaning that Crew fans will be able to see all 15 Crew road games live this season.
"ONN has continually increased its sports programming over the past few years and has evolved into a sports programming destination for many fans," said Crew VP of Corporate Sales & Broadcasting Chad Schroeder. "The Dispatch Printing Company relationship is significant, as it links the Crew with the strongest promotional partner in central Ohio and substantially increases our ability to create awareness for our game broadcasts and our brand."
The broadcast agreement is the lynchpin of a larger integrated partnership that positions the Dispatch Printing Company and its affiliated properties as a cornerstone partner with the Crew. As such, The Dispatch Printing Company receives a significant presence within Crew Stadium, hospitality, promotional rights, media rights and a community outreach platform with the Crew. The Crew benefits by having an established television broadcast home with a statewide footprint and reciprocal promotional and advertising assets.
"ONN's commitment to Ohio sports has been a core value since the day we began," said Tom Griesdorn, President and General Manager of ONN-TV. "Anyone who's been to a Crew game knows the energy, excitement, and enjoyment the fans experience. This is a great fit with our other local sports franchises and we're very pleased to be Ohio's television home for The Crew."
Burgess returns for his 12th season behind the microphone for the Crew and his 17th calling professional soccer play-by-play. A 26-year broadcast veteran, Burgess was a two-time soccer collegiate All-American at DePauw University and was twice selected to developmental camps for the United States National Program. He also currently serves as the head men's and women's soccer coach at Capital University.
ONN is Ohio's channel for news, weather and sports and is available in 83 of 88 counties. ONN is a member of the Dispatch Broadcast Group, which includes WBNS-TV, WBNS-AM/FM, ONN and Radio Sound Network in Columbus, Ohio; WTHR-TV and SkyTrak Weather Network in Indianapolis, Indiana. For a complete ONN channel listing, please visit the website at OhioNewsNow.com. In Columbus, ONN is available on all Wide Open West and Insight cable systems, while Time Warner customers should upgrade to digital to get ONN.
Single-game tickets for the 2007 home season went go sale to the general public on Saturday (March 10) at the Crew Stadium Box Office, all Central Ohio Ticketmaster retail locations, via Ticketmaster phone at 614-431-3600 and on-line at TheCrew.com. Fans can still become Crew Soccer Nation members, as well, by purchasing full-season ticket packages or partial plans. Group tickets are also available for all 15 home games. All ticket packages and plans are available by calling 614-447-CREW and at TheCrew.com.
Founded by Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members, it will open its 12th season overall and ninth in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium on Saturday, April 7, when it plays host to Claudio Reyna and the New York Red Bulls.
