ESPN Networks Set to Air Up to 17 WNBA Playoff Games

Selena Gomez Song "Like a Champion" to be used Throughout Playoffs

The Chicago Sky of the Eastern Conference and the Minnesota Lynx out of the Western Conference are the top seeds in the 2013 WNBA Playoffs Presented by Boost Mobile - set to begin with two conference semifinals on Thursday, Sept. 19. ESPN and ESPN2 will air up to 17 playoff games, including exclusive coverage of the Eastern and Western Conference Finals and the WNBA Finals 2013 Presented by Boost Mobile.

ESPN will utilize a new open featuring Selena Gomez performing her song "Like a Champion" on every telecast. Custom performance footage was shot in London for a video open that includes ESPN/WNBA co-branding integrated with Gomez. The footage will also be used in highlight packages and coming in from, and out of, commercial breaks.

Many of the league's best players will be on showcase during the postseason, including: Elena Delle Donne (Chicago Sky); Maya Moore (Minnesota Lynx); Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks); Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream); along with Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner (Phoenix).

Conference semifinals and finals announcer parings include Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo and Holly Rowe and Pam Ward, Carolyn Peck and LaChina Robinson. The trio of Ruocco, Lobo and Rowe will call the WNBA Finals 2013, while Peck will be providing studio analysis from ESPN's Bristol, Conn., studio. Additional production elements for the finals will be announced closer to the series.

ESPN2's exclusive coverage of the best-of-three series for Eastern and Western Conference Finals will start on Thursday, Sept. 26. The WNBA Finals 2013 are scheduled to begin Sunday, Oct. 6 with a best-of-five format.

espnW.com will supplement ESPN's schedule with comprehensive live coverage and analysis throughout the WNBA postseason:

· Michelle Smith and Mechelle Voepel onsite each round, including Smith covering Los Angeles-Phoenix matchup and Voepel at the Chicago-Indiana series.

· A breakdown of each series, including predictions, plus postgame analysis from each site.

· Lobo featuring five things she is looking forward to during the postseason.

· Continuing coverage from espnW's Total Access with the Mercury.

· Additional video highlights and features throughout.

· Player blogs from several WNBA stars, including Tamika Catchings, Elena Delle Donne, Angel McCoughtry, Maya Moore, Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi.

All games will be accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members and on Apple TV to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.

Date Time (ET) Game/Commentators Network

Thu, Sep 19 8 p.m. Eastern Conference Semifinals - Game 1: No. 3 seed Washington at No. 2 seed Atlanta Pam Ward, Carolyn Peck & LaChina Robinson ESPN2 10 p.m. Western Conference Semifinals - Game 1: No. 3 seed Phoenix at No. 2 seed Los Angeles Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo & Holly Rowe ESPN2

Sun, Sep 22 3 p.m. Eastern Conference Semifinals - Game 2: No. 1 seed Chicago at No. 4 seed Indiana Pam Ward, Carolyn Peck & LaChina Robinson ESPN2 5 p.m. Western Conference Semifinals - Game 2: No. 1 seed Minnesota at No. 4 seed Seattle Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo & Holly Rowe ESPN2

Mon, Sep 23 10 p.m. Western Conference Semifinals - Game 3:* No. 3 seed Phoenix at No. 2 seed Los Angeles ESPN2

Tues, Sep 24 7 p.m. Eastern Conference Semifinals - Game 3:* No. 1 seed Chicago at No. 4 seed Indiana ESPN2

Thu, Sep 26 8 p.m. Eastern Conference Finals - Game 1 ESPN2 10 p.m. Western Conference Finals - Game 1 ESPN2

Sun, Sep 29 3 p.m. Eastern Conference Finals - Game 2 ESPN2 5 p.m. Western Conference Finals - Game 2 ESPN2

Tue, Oct 1 8 p.m. Eastern Conference Finals - Game 3* ESPN2 10 p.m. Western Conference Finals - Game 3* ESPN2

Sun, Oct 6 8:30 p.m. WNBA Finals 2013 - Game 1 ESPN

Tue, Oct 8 8 p.m. WNBA Finals 2013 - Game 2 ESPN2

Thu, Oct 10 8:30 p.m. WNBA Finals 2013 - Game 3 ESPN2

Sun, Oct 13 8 p.m. WNBA Finals 2013 - Game 4* ESPN2

Wed, Oct 16 8 p.m. WNBA Finals 2013 - Game 5* ESPN

* - if necessary