ESPN and NFL Players Association Reach Multiyear Agreement for Collegiate Bowl

2013 Collegiate All-Star Game to Air on ESPN2 on Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. ET

ESPN and the NFL Players Association today announced a multiyear agreement for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, a college all-star game featuring top draft-eligible seniors. The 2013 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be televised live on ESPN2 and be available via WatchESPN on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. ET from The Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif.

The agreement also includes four hours of live coverage of the Collegiate Bowl practices on ESPNU on Thursday, Jan. 17. ESPN commentators will be announced after the New Year.

The 2013 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be the second edition of the all-star series. This is the first time the event will air on an ESPN network.

"The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl promises to be a great event featuring many draft eligible college players," said Leah LaPlaca, ESPN vice president, programming and acquisitions. "We look forward to televising the game and practices as part of ESPN's offseason football programming lineup leading up to the 2013 NFL Draft."

"Our partnership with ESPN for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl provides our future members with a special opportunity to showcase their talents," said George Atallah, NFLPA Assistant Executive Director of External Affairs. "The week of the game offers players with invaluable preparation for their professional careers in the NFL, and we're proud to have ESPN be a part of that."

NFL prospects will be placed into two NFLPA Collegiate Bowl teams. ESPN analyst and former NFL player/coach Herm Edwards will coach the American Team, while Super Bowl-winning coach Dick Vermeil will coach the National Team.

For one week preceding the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, participating draft-eligible seniors will receive an in-depth introduction to the union - the primary resource for information on the business of football and how to succeed in the NFL and in post-football careers.

2013 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl events on ESPNU and ESPN2:

Date Time ET Program Networks

Thu, Jan 17

1:30 - 3:30 p.m. NFLPA Collegiate Bowl - Practice ESPNU

4:30 - 6:30 p.m. NFLPA Collegiate Bowl - Practice ESPNU

Sat, Jan 19

6 p.m. NFLPA Collegiate Bowl ESPN2 / WatchESPN