CHICAGO - The Chicago Fire today announced that it has partnered with Comcast SportsNet to broadcast a minimum of nine matches during the 2005 MLS regular season. When combined with Chicago's 10 appearances on national television - including six appearances on HDNet - the additional regional broadcasts bring the number of televised Fire matches for this season to 19. The Fire will make its debut on Comcast SportsNet this Saturday, Apr. 2 when the "Men in Red" open their eighth MLS campaign on the road at FC Dallas from the Cotton Bowl. Aside from broadcasting the match, CSN will produce a 30-minute, pre-game show beginning at 7:00 p.m. CT.
"We are excited about partnering with Comcast SportsNet this season and in the coming years," said Trent Sheridan, Director of Marketing for the Chicago Fire. "They have become the home for Chicago sports in this city and will be a great destination for our fans to follow the Fire."
This year will mark the first of a three-year deal between the club and the network. All nine of the Fire's matches on CSN in 2005 will be on the road.
"We're very pleased to add Fire telecasts to our roster of local pro team coverage," said James J. Corno, Senior Vice President/General Manager for Comcast SportsNet Chicago. "Fire fans are some of the most passionate fans in MLS and we're happy we will provide local coverage of this popular franchise."
The Fire has also announced the broadcast talent for the club's eighth MLS campaign. For the third consecutive year, the Fire has gathered a three-man crew for its regional broadcasts. This year, the Fire has announced the addition of Kenn Tomasch, who will handle play-by-play duties in 2005. Returning to the booth will be color commentator Kenny Stern while sideline reporting will be handled by Chris Doran.
Tomasch brings an extensive broadcast background to the Fire. He has served as sports director, reporter and anchor for various television affiliates throughout the country, including WRTV-TV in Indianapolis and WINK-TV in Fort Myers. Tomasch handled play-by-play duties for the Fire's webcasts in 2004 and currently serves as the radio announcer for the MISL's Chicago Storm.
Stern has served as the Fire's regional color analyst for all television broadcasts since the team's inception in 1998. The Las Vegas-based broadcaster - and former President and GM of the North American Soccer League's (NASL) Chicago Sting - is the author of KICKS, a 371-page soccer novel that was released in 2003.
Doran has served as the Fire's English-language radio play-by-play announcer since 2002 and has also served as a sideline reporter for the team's regional broadcasts. He anchored Big 10 Championship broadcasts for College Sports Television last season and is the radio voice of the defending NCAA Champion Indiana Hoosiers (1995-present).
Comcast SportsNet currently consists of four regional sports networks servicing the Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, Chicago, and Northern and Central California television markets. Together, the four networks reach over 13 million households and provide game coverage for the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals, and Chicago Blackhawks; the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls, and Sacramento Kings; and MLB's Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago White Sox.
