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BIG3 TO DEBUT THIS WEEKEND ON CBS WITH CBS SPORTS OFFERING 50 HOURS OF COVERAGE ACROSS CBS AND CBS SPORTS NETWORK
Brian Custer, Jim Jackson and Michael Rapaport All Return for Third Season
Experienced Sportscasters Carter Blackburn, Brendan Haywood, Brandon Tierney, Avery Johnson, and Ed Cohen Join the Announcer Lineup
LOS ANGELES - June 20, 2019 - CBS Sports and the BIG3 today announced the broadcast team for the 2019 season, which begins this Saturday, June 22 (8:00 PM, ET) on the CBS Television Network. The team will again feature longtime play-by-play announcer Brian Custer, analyst Jim Jackson and sideline reporter Michael Rapaport, who will all return for their third campaigns. The lineup will also include new adds Carter Blackburn, Brendan Haywood, Brandon Tierney, Avery Johnson and Ed Cohen.
"Our broadcast team has done an exceptional job providing exciting play-by-play and color around the league's fierce competition," said BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz. "We're excited for the new additions and what they'll bring our fans during this season's national television schedule."
During the 11-week season, games will air live on CBS Television Network and CBS Sports Network on both Saturday and Sunday, with a champion crowned live on CBS on Sunday, Sept. 1 (3:00 PM, ET). CBS Television Network will broadcast more than 20 hours this season, with CBS Sports Network set to televise more than 25 hours of additional live game coverage.
Blackburn and Cohen will both join Custer as announcers this season. Blackburn, who delivers college basketball and football play-by-play for CBS Sports, has served as CBS Sports Network's lead announcer since 2014. Cohen is a 15-year veteran who has called a variety of sports including baseball, hockey and Olympic sports. For the past six seasons, he has announced college basketball games for CBS Sports Network.
Basketball veterans Haywood and Johnson will come on as weekly analysts. After retiring from the court, Haywood joined CBS Sports as a college basketball announcer and analyst. Johnson, who spent 22 seasons as a professional player as well as 10 combined seasons as a pro and collegiate coach, brings several years of in-studio experience to the team.
Tierney, an Emmy-winning television host, panelist and former play-by-play announcer, will serve as a sideline reporter this season, handling in-game updates and interviews with players and coaches. He is the current co-host of CBS Sports Radio's popular "Tiki and Tierney" afternoon show.
The full televised schedule includes:
Saturday, June 22 8:00-10:00 PM (CBS)
10:00-11:00 PM (CBS Sports Network)
Little Caesars Arena
Detroit, Mich.
Sunday, June 23 1:00-3:00 PM (CBS)
3:00-4:00 PM (CBSSN)
Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Indianapolis, Ind.
Saturday, June 29 12:00-2:00 PM (CBS)
2:00-3:00 PM (CBSSN)
Spectrum Center
Charlotte, N.C.
Sunday, June 30 5:00-8:00 PM (CBSSN)
Liacouras Center
Philadelphia, Pa.
Saturday, July 6 5:00-8:00 PM (CBSSN)
Legacy Arena at the BJCC
Birmingham, Ala.
Sunday, July 7 1:00-3:00 PM (CBS)
3:00-4:00 PM (CBSSN)
Start Farm Arena
Atlanta, Ga.
Saturday, July 13 12:00-2:00 PM (CBS)
2:00-3:00 PM (CBSSN)
Dunkin Donuts Center
Providence, R.I.
Sunday, July 14 12:00-2:00 PM (CBS)
2:00-3:00 PM (CBSSN)
Barclays Center
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Saturday, July 20 3:00-4:00 PM (CBSSports.com)
4:00-6:00 PM (CBS)
Sprint Center
Kansas City, Mo.
Sunday, July 21 1:00-2:00 PM (CBSSports.com)
2:00-4:00 PM (CBS)
Chesapeake Energy Arena
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Saturday, July 27 9:00 PM-12:00 AM (CBSSN)
Vivint Smart Home Arena
Salt Lake City, Utah
Saturday, August 3 1:00-3:00 PM (CBS)
3:00-4:00 PM (CBSSN)
Allstate Arena
Chicago, Ill.
Sunday, August 4 4:00-7:00 PM (CBSSN)
Fiserv Forum
Milwaukee, Wisc.
Saturday, August 10 8:00-11:00 PM (CBSSN)
American Airlines Arena
Miami, Fla.
Saturday, August 17 3:00-6:00 PM (CBS)
American Airlines Center
Dallas, Texas
Sunday, August 18 3:00-6:00 PM (CBSSN)
AT&T Center
San Antonio, Texas
Sunday, August 25 Playoff Rounds
12:00-2:00 PM (CBSSN)
2:00-4:00 PM (CBS)
Smoothie King Center
New Orleans, La.
Sunday, Sept. 1 Championship Round
3:00-5:00 PM (CBS)
Staples Center
Los Angeles, Calif.
During the offseason, BIG3 added new top-tier players to the league, including Jason Terry, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Kendrick Perkins, Shannon Brown, Gilbert Arenas, Al Jefferson, Lamar Odom, Steve Blake, Mario Chalmers, Brandon Rush, Carlos Arroyo and more.
Star players returning this year include Amar'e Stoudemire, Drew Gooden, Nate Robinson, Stephen Jackson, Carlos Boozer, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, Chris "Birdman" Andersen, Rashard Lewis, Metta World Peace, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Corey Maggette, Cuttino Mobley, Jermaine O'Neal, Brian Scalabrine and many more.
Teams will be coached by some of the top legends in the game, including Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Gary Payton, Nancy Lieberman, Rick Barry, Lisa Leslie and George "The Iceman" Gervin.
In addition to Ice Cube and Kwatinetz, the league is guided by Chairman Amy Trask, CEO Amit Bajaj and Commissioner Clyde Drexler.
For the latest league news and updates, visit BIG3.com and follow BIG3 on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
About Big3
BIG3 (BIG3.com) is where basketball superstars play. The premier half-court, 3-on-3 basketball league, BIG3 features many of the greatest, most popular and skilled NBA players of all time. Founded by producer, actor and music legend Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, the BIG3 combines highly competitive, physical, fast basketball and incredible fan experiences.
About CBS Sports
CBS Sports, a year-round leader in television sports, broadcasts a portfolio of events on the CBS Television Network, including THE NFL ON CBS; college football, including the SEC ON CBS; college basketball, including the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship; golf, including The Masters(R), PGA Championship and PGA TOUR; PBR, the world's premier bull riding organization; and CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR. In addition, the division includes CBS SPORTS NETWORK, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, and produces INSIDE THE NFL for SHOWTIME. CBS Sports Digital's multi-platform offerings include CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports apps for mobile and connected TV devices; streaming sports news network CBS Sports HQ; 247Sports; MaxPreps; CBS Sports fantasy games; and SportsLine.
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