or


[05/24/16 - 05:51 PM]
Craig Sager to Be Honored With the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at "The 2016 ESPYS," Airing July 13 on ABC
Given a life-changing diagnosis of leukemia in 2014, TNT's hard-working veteran returned to the sidelines in 2015 and continues to publicly battle the disease while remaining committed to the work he loves.

[via press release from ABC]

CRAIG SAGER TO BE HONORED WITH THE JIMMY V PERSEVERANCE AWARD AT 'THE 2016 ESPYS,' JULY 13 ON ABC

Craig Sager is one of the most respected sideline reporters in sports, and he is well known for both his colorful attire and personality. Given a life-changing diagnosis of leukemia in 2014, TNT's hard-working veteran returned to the sidelines in 2015 and continues to publicly battle the disease while remaining committed to the work he loves. ESPN today announced that Sager will be honored with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at "The 2016 ESPYS presented by Capital One." The ESPYS will be broadcast live on WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC.

"When I was diagnosed with cancer, like so many other people, my life changed forever," said Sager. "Over the last two years, I've done everything in my power to live my life as normally as possible. But at times, you need support, and I'm so thankful to everyone who has been there for me."

Sager continued: "One of those pieces of inspiration has come from Jim Valvano himself. I have his speech saved on my phone, and now, 23 years later, its impact lives on with me and countless others. There is no greater honor than receiving this award, and I am very humbled."

Executive producer Maura Mandt said, "Craig's positive attitude and passion have always been cornerstones of the coverage he does for TNT, and those attributes are a large part of what endears him to fans. He serves as an inspiration to many, as he continues his work while battling this devastating disease."

Long known for his unique wardrobe and pithy sideline interviews, Sager is in his 24th season as sideline reporter for the NBA on TNT, including the network's regular season, NBA All-Star and NBA Playoffs coverage. Sager was a first-time nominee for a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality - Sports Reporter in 2012. Upon receiving his diagnosis in early 2014, Sager publicly vowed to continue reporting, asserting that his work is a tonic that gives him strength to face his battle. He's currently undergoing clinical trials at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

"While there are many colorful figures across the world of sports, Craig is a star that has always shined a bit brighter than others," said Connor Schell, senior vice president, ESPN Films and Original Content, who oversees The ESPYS. "His dedication to continuing the career he loves in spite of this difficult illness is the very definition of perseverance, and we're proud to honor Craig at this year's ESPYS."

From 2002-2006, Sager was a sideline reporter for TBS' Pac-10/Big 12 college football coverage and was a reporter for TBS' coverage of the MLB Postseason from 2007-2013. Sager has served as a sideline reporter for Turner and CBS' joint coverage of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship since 2011. In 2009, Sager served as a course reporter during the PGA Championship on TNT and PGA.com.

A native of Batavia, Illinois, Sager walked on Northwestern University's football and basketball teams and served as the university's "Willie the Wildcat" mascot for three years. Sager began his broadcast career in 1972 at WXLT-TV in Sarasota, Florida, and worked in several sports roles before joining CNN in 1981 after handling the network's first live remote report from the 1980 MLB postseason. Sager reported from six different Goodwill Games around the globe and served as a reporter on TNT's NFL pre-game, halftime and post-game shows from 1990-97.

The Jimmy V Perseverance Award was named after, and inspired by, the late Jimmy Valvano, who became the award's raison d'�tre at the 1993 ESPYS. While battling cancer, Valvano gave an emotional acceptance speech that included his famous words "Don't Give Up . . . Don't Ever Give Up!"(R). Valvano passed away less than two months later, but his words were never forgotten. The Jimmy V Award is given to a deserving member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through perseverance and determination. In 2007, Women's College basketball coach Kay Yow became the very first recipient of the Jimmy V Award. Past recipients include Eric LeGrand, Anthony Robles, George Karl, Dick and Rick Hoyt, Stuart Scott, and Devon and Leah Still.

About The V Foundation

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since inception, The V Foundation has funded more than $130 million in cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs. Due to generous donors, the Foundation has an endowment that covers administrative expenses. The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Board. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.

About The ESPYS

The ESPYS gather top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, reliving unforgettable moments and saluting the leading performers and performances. "The 2016 ESPYS" will recognize both sport-specific achievements, such as "Best MLB Player" and "Best WNBA Player," and best-in-sport winners, such as "Best Team" or "Best Female Athlete" that pit nominees from different sports against each other. The ESPYS support ESPN's ongoing commitment to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, launched by ESPN with the late Jim Valvano in 1993.





  [may 2016]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[10/03/25 - 02:17 PM]
ESPN's Record-Setting '25 MLB Wild Card Series
Across eight games, the MLB Wild Card Series is averaging 4.4 million viewers, up 65% from last year.

[10/03/25 - 12:37 PM]
BET+ Sets October 23 Premiere for "Carl Weber's The Family Business" Season 6
The 10-episode season will premiere with two episodes, followed by one episode weekly, with the finale on Thursday, December 18.

[10/03/25 - 12:07 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Continues to Shatter Records - Growing Two Weeks in a Row Since Season Premiere for First Time Since 2005
Plus: "High Potential" hit a season high in Total Viewers (4.24 million), growing by double digits over the show's comparable third episode from last fall.

[10/03/25 - 10:57 AM]
Legends, Champions and Icons of October Highlight FOX Sports' Postseason Broadcaster Lineup
FOX Sports begins its Postseason coverage Saturday, October 4 at 4:00 PM ET on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App and FOX One as the New York Yankees face the Toronto Blue Jays.

[10/03/25 - 10:05 AM]
All-New Season of "Gold Rush" Returns with High-Stake Risks and Land Fury on Friday, November 7 at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
With only a few short months to mine, top bosses and rising underdogs collide in a race to claim new ground, move more dirt, and strike it rich.

[10/03/25 - 09:12 AM]
FOX Nation Secures Exclusive U.S. Rights to Docuseries "Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar"
The acclaimed series will make its anticipated U.S. debut on FOX Nation on Monday, October 6.

[10/03/25 - 08:02 AM]
TNT Sports to Be Exclusive Home of 2025 NLDS & NLCS
Both best-of-five NLDS series begin Saturday, October 4.

[10/03/25 - 08:01 AM]
TNT Sports Sets BIG EAST Men's College Basketball Schedule for Inaugural 2025-26 Season
TNT Sports' regular season BIG EAST men's basketball schedule will feature 40 appearances by St. John's, UConn, Creighton, Xavier, and Marquette, programs that each clinched berths in last season's NCAA Men's Tournament.

[10/03/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "27 Nights" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a woman is admitted by her daughters to a psychiatric clinic for her carefree ways, an expert must judge if she is ill or simply wants to enjoy life.

[10/03/25 - 04:01 AM]
Video: "Steve" - Official Trailer #2 - Netflix
Over one intense day, the devoted head teacher of a last-chance reform school strives to keep his students in line while facing pressures of his own.

[10/03/25 - 03:02 AM]
Miguel Herran Will Play Poli Diaz in "El Porto the Vallecas," the New Film by Daniel Calparsoro for Netflix
Inspired by true events, the film follows the life of Policarpo "Poli" Díaz (Miguel Herrán), a young man from Vallecas who, despite a childhood marked by poverty and family violence, became a boxing legend in 1980s Spain, even fighting for the world lightweight title.

[10/03/25 - 03:01 AM]
Netflix Honors Jane Goodall with Posthumous Release of "Famous Last Words" Docuseries Following Her Passing
The series showcases reflective interviews with some of the world's most influential cultural figures, who agreed to sit down and discuss their legacy, and give their final words, with the understanding that it would only be shared with the world after they passed.

[10/02/25 - 04:09 PM]
ESPN Delivers the Most-Watched WNBA Semifinals Ever
Game 5 between the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces averaged 1.8 million viewers, peaking at 2.1 million.

[10/02/25 - 03:01 PM]
Video: "Twisted Wonderland" - Trailer - Disney+
Your favorite villains reimagined in ways you've never dared to dream.

[10/02/25 - 02:51 PM]
ESPN's Record-Setting Day One of MLB Wild Card Series
Coverage of Red Sox versus Yankees averaged 6.5 million viewers, peaking at 9.9 million.