The San Jose Earthquakes announced Tuesday that Comcast SportsNet will televise a minimum of 15 Earthquakes games during the 2009 Major League Soccer season. The majority of the games will air on Comcast SportsNet California and selected games will air on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and Comcast SportsNet Plus.
"This agreement, along with our national television appearances, allows our fans tremendous access to our squad in 2009," said Earthquakes Executive Vice President David Alioto. "We are proud to partner with Comcast SportsNet."
This season's broadcasts kick off on Saturday, March 21 when the Earthquakes host the New England Revolution at Buck Shaw Stadium. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. PT and will air on Comcast SportsNet California. The first road telecast will be Sunday, April 5 at Kansas City on Comcast SportsNet California.
Comcast SportsNet Vice President and General Manager Larry Eldridge added, "The Earthquakes have one of the most passionate, dedicated fan bases of any sport in Northern California and we are thrilled to be the television home for MLS in this region."
Nine matches will air on Comcast SportsNet California, with two more airing on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and four on Comcast SportsNet Plus. Including national broadcasts, 23 of the team's 30 games will air on television, while the remaining seven matches will be available on the MLS Direct Kick package on DirecTV, Dish Network and In Demand. John Shrader and Troy Dayak return to the broadcast booth for a second consecutive year, while Christine Nubla begins her first year as the sideline reporter.
Shrader has been the voice of the Earthquakes (Clash) either on radio or television since 1996 and has worked in Bay Area broadcasting for over 25 years. He currently teaches journalism and media at San Jose State University, San Francisco State University and San Jose City College. Prior to his current duties, he spent 14 years at all-sports station KNBR 680 AM, where he hosted talk shows and covered the San Francisco 49ers. He has broadcast numerous events around the country, and spent time at two San Jose televisions stations, KNTV and KICU. For nearly a decade Shrader was the voice of San Jose State athletics. Shrader broadcast the 2002 & 2003 MLS All-Star Games and the 2002 and 2003 MLS Cup Finals on the radio.
Dayak had one of the most decorated careers in Earthquakes history. The former defender played for eight seasons (1996-98, 2001-05) for the Quakes and helped the club win two MLS Cup Championships. He played in 129 games for San Jose during his career and scored nine goals and notched seven assists, playing mainly as a central defender and right back. His overtime goal in the 2001 MLS Cup Playoffs against the Miami Fusion sent the Quakes to their MLS Cup Final in team history. He also overcame career-threatening knee and back injuries in his career and was named the 2001 MLS Comeback Player of the Year. He has worked as a broadcaster on Earthquakes radio broadcasts, last years' Comcast SportsNet broadcasts and HDNet national telecasts.
Joining the broadcast team this season as the sideline reporter for home games will be Christine Nubla, who has worked as an in-game host and sideline reporter for a number of teams during her time at Fox Sports Net West and Prime Ticket. She hosted the pre-game show and was the sideline reporter for Los Angeles Galaxy broadcasts on FSN during the 2007 season. She also worked with the Anaheim Ducks, Anaheim Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and UCLA basketball broadcasts during that time as well. A Bay Area native, she has served as an anchor/reporter for Comcast SportsNet West, KRON and KNTV-NBC11.
