CONSUMER ELECTRONICS GIANT BECOMES OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF US OPEN IN NEW THREE-YEAR SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT

The USTA announced that consumer electronics giant Panasonic has become an official sponsor of the US Open in a new three-year agreement.

Working with CBS Sports, the USTA and Panasonic will spearhead the first-ever 3D broadcasts of the tournament. CBS Sports will produce 3D versions of all the Arthur Ashe Stadium matches that it broadcasts in High Definition on Labor Day Weekend and on Finals Weekend, September 10-12. These matches will be made available nationwide via DirecTV’s exclusive dedicated 3D entertainment channel, “n|3D Powered by Panasonic” (DirecTV channel 103).

On-site at the 2010 US Open, Panasonic will have three 3D viewing galleries–a 3D Panasonic Showcase located in the former International Tennis Hall of Fame Gallery on the floor level of Louis Armstrong Stadium, and another in SmashZone, the US Open’s interactive tennis experience for fans and families located in the state-of-the-art indoor facility and one more in the South Plaza area. Panasonic and DirecTV also will provide the US Open semifinal and final matches live in 3D to hundreds of TV retail outlets nationwide, including scores of Best Buy stores, as part of the September 10-12 “National 3D Demo Days” organized by the Consumer Electronics Association.

“We are very pleased to enter a new era of sports production with a new partner, Panasonic, and our long-time partner, CBS,” said Lucy S. Garvin, USTA Chairman of the Board and President. “We continually explore new innovations for the US Open, and new ways to present our tournament to tennis fans. 3D technology is the wave of the future, and once again the US Open will be on the cutting edge.”

“Panasonic is proud to support the US Open, on site and in homes throughout the country, by bringing live match action to tennis fans in immersive 3D,” said Joseph M. Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Panasonic Corporation of North America. “Panasonic consumer and professional 3D displays will show the Arthur Ashe Stadium matches to spectators on site in Flushing Meadows, viewers nationwide can see them via DirecTV’s exclusive 3D channel, ‘n|3D powered by Panasonic,’ and our professional 3D camcorder will be used to shoot interviews and other footage in 3D for CBS’s production.”

“CBS Sports is looking forward to using this groundbreaking technology during our coverage of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships,” said Harold Bryant, Vice President, Production, CBS Sports. “With the court-level camera positions that will make viewers feel like they are right on the court, and the resonant sounds of the game and the spectators, tennis will be a spectacular sport to see in 3D.”

The 3D broadcasts will use a separate production team and equipment from the traditional HD broadcasts of the tournament. Plans call for six camera rigs (each holding two high definition cameras), two special 3D production trucks, and a unique 3D-dedicated CBS Sports broadcast team. CBS has designed the 3D camera placements lower to the court than traditional TV locations, in order to capture the close-up and personal, athletic dimension of tennis that make 3D such a powerful experience.

Panasonic also will reach out to viewers with advertising geared to the new 3D technology during the CBS Sports broadcasts of the US Open. In order to view the US Open in 3D, fans must have 3D televisions and 3D eyewear and be subscribers to DirecTV.

The Panasonic sponsorship also include sponsorship of Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, the US Open’s tennis and entertainment spectacular that serves as the unofficial opening to the tournament. In addition, Panasonic will have new, digital signage in the three stadiums and at most of the outer courts at the US Open.

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level — from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization with 750,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, the highest attended annual sporting event in the world, and launched the Olympus US Open Series linking 10 summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns the 90 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., is a minority owner and promotional partner of World TeamTennis, and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA philanthropic entity, USTA Serves, provides grants and scholarships and through tennis, helps underserved youth and people with disabilities to improve academics and strive for excellence. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com.

Serena and Venus Williams retain their titles of America’s Favorite Female Sports Star

Despite his public image taking major hits this year, there is one bright spot for Tiger Woods. While he is no longer alone on top of the list, he is at least tied for first place as America’s Favorite Sports Star. Since 2006, this was a title he held solo, but this year, besides another NBA championship, Kobe Bryant can also share in being called America’s Favorite Sports Star, a jump up from the 4th position he was in last year.

Rounding out the top five are New York Yankee Derek Jeter at number 3, up from 5th place; Minnesota Viking Brett Favre at number 4, a leap from his 9th place position last year; and this season’s losing Super Bowl quarterback, Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts at number 5, up from 7th place last year.

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,227 adults surveyed online between June 14 and 21, 2010 by Harris Interactive.

Looking at the rest of the top ten, LeBron James left Cleveland for Miami and dropped three spots to number 6 on this year’s list while another NBA superstar — but one who no longer plays — Michael Jordan, drops from the 2nd spot on the list to number 7 this year. New England Patriots’ quarterback, Tom Brady, returns to the list after a one year absence at number 8 and the winning quarterback from this year’s Super Bowl, Drew Brees, debuts at number 9. Finally, a NASCAR superstar, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is at number 10, down from number 8 last year.

Two stars dropped off the top ten this year: another NASCAR legend, Jeff Gordon dropped from number 6 and baseball great, Albert Pujols dropped from number 10 last year.

Different groups have their different favorites. For men, Tiger is still number one, but for women it’s Kobe Bryant. There are also generational differences. Both Echo Boomers (those 18-33) and Baby Boomers (those 46-64) have Kobe Bryant as their number one while Gen Xers (those 34-45) say it is Brett Favre and Matures (those 65 and older) stick with Tiger.

Favorite Female Sports Star

Just like last year, Serena and Venus Williams are number one and number two on the Favorite Female Sports Star list, followed by race car driver Danica Patrick. Perhaps thanks to the World Cup excitement, Mia Hamm moves up from number 5 to number 4 this year, followed by tennis star Maria Sharapova who moves to number 5 from a tie in 6th last year. Next in the top ten is another tennis star, Anna Kournikova at number 6, up from 9th last year. Four newcomers or returning female stars round out the top ten: gold medal volleyball player Misty May, and gold medal winning gymnast and Dancing with the Stars champion, Shawn Johnson, are tied for number 7; at number 9 is women’s basketball star Lisa Leslie; and tied for the 10th spot on the list are two former tennis greats, Billie Jean King and Martina Navratalova.

The four female sports stars who dropped off the list are basketball star, Candace Parker, who was number 4 last year; golfer, Annika Sorenstam, who was tied for number 6; former tennis star, Chris Everett who was number 8, and skater Michelle Kwan, who was number 10.

So what?

Sometimes a sports star is more noted for things they do outside of their sport. Tiger Woods was in the news more for his marital woes and infidelities and his losing tournaments this year, yet he is still at the top of the list, albeit in a tie. Shawn Johnson was in the 2008 Olympics, but appearing on Dancing with the Stars helped bring her top-of-mind and spur her onto the list of favorite female stars this year. Regardless, the list of one golfer, three basketball stars, one baseball player, four quarterbacks, and one race car driver truly represents some of the greatest in their respective sports.

Methodology

This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States June 14 to 21, 2010 among 2,227 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words “margin of error” as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

Alison Levine – Adventurer, Explorer, Entrepreneur and West Point Adjunct Professor – Summits Everest and En Route Achieves One of Climbing’s Most Coveted Accomplishments

Renowned adventurer Alison Levine made history by becoming one of the few Americans to complete the Adventure Grand Slam — climbing the highest peak on each continent (Denali, Aconcagua, Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, Vinson Massif, Carstensz Pyramid, Everest) and skiing to both the North and South Poles. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Alison was born with a life-threatening heart defect that prohibited her from even climbing stairs, but after successful heart surgery she started climbing mountains and hasn’t slowed down since.

“Fewer than 300 people have succeeded in climbing to the summit of the highest peak of every continent. Very few of those people have also reached the two poles, completing the Adventure Grand Slam,” said Harry Kikstra, director of 7summits.com. “Alison’s achievement is even more impressive since she not only skied the last degree to the North Pole, but also skied the entire 600 mile Messner Route to the South Pole, becoming the first American to do so. She completed this 38-day arduous journey by skiing for 10 hours a day in sub-zero temperatures with a sled containing 150lbs of gear and supplies harnessed to her waist.”

Her story is awe-inspiring and noteworthy on many levels, not only because her recent Everest expedition is the one that completed her Grand Slam bid, but also because the climb was in memory of her friend, Meg Berte Owen who passed away in October ’09 from a lung infection at age 37. In her honor, Alison engraved Meg’s name on her ice axe and planted it at the summit when she reached the top.

Alison has survived some of the most challenging environmental conditions known to man and is a sought-after consultant and lecturer. She currently serves as an adjunct professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point where she teaches cadets about leading teams in extreme environments. She also runs the Climb High Foundation, a nonprofit focused on improving the lives of women in war-torn areas of Uganda by training them to work as porters and trekking guides in their local mountains.

Alison’s accomplishments:
– Team Captain of 1st American Women’s Everest Expedition
– Climbed the 7 Summits (highest peak on each continent)
– Skied across Arctic Circle to North Pole
– 1st American to complete a 600-mile ski traverse via the Messner Route across Antarctica to South Pole
– 1st American woman to complete the Adventure Grand Slam (with a complete Antarctic traverse)
– Adjunct professor, U.S. Military Academy at West Point (Dept. of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership)
– Advisory board member, Coach K/Duke University Center on Leadership & Ethics
– Founded the Climb High Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of jobless women in Uganda by training them to
be trekking guides and porters
– Consultant and speaker specializing in organizational effectiveness, leadership development and team dynamics in extreme environments
– Former Wall Street investment manager
– MBA, Duke University

SIRIUS XM personalities Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo, Maurice Jones-Drew, Steve Phillips, Jeremy Roenick, Rich Gannon, Gary Dell’Abate, Jay Thomas, Scott Ferrall, Adam Schein, Jon Hein and others will be live at the Hard Rock Cafe Musician Southside Johnny to perform live Howard Stern ‘Wrap Up Show’ kicks off event with a live broadcast

SIRIUS XM Radio announcedthat as part of its SIRIUS XM Celebrity Fantasy Football Draft it will host an all-day showcase event featuring live music and a series of special broadcasts from a wide variety of SIRIUS XM hosts at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City’s Times Square on July 21, 2010.

The event will celebrate the launch of SIRIUS XM Fantasy Sports Radio, the new 24/7 fantasy sports channel airing on XM channel 147 and SIRIUS channel 211 for subscribers with the “Best of XM” programming package. SIRIUS XM subscribers will be invited to attend or tune in from around the country and will be treated to a variety of programming from across the SIRIUS XM spectrum.

SIRIUS XM personalities Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo, Maurice Jones-Drew, Steve Phillips, Jeremy Roenick, Rich Gannon, Gary Dell’Abate, Jay Thomas, Scott Ferrall, Adam Schein, Jon Hein, fantasy experts and SIRIUS XM hosts from RotoExperts.com, RotoWire.com, FantasyGuru.com, and FanBall.com, and Nicole, Rich, Stanley and Ryan from the SIRIUS XM Hits 1 Morning Mash Up show will be in attendance.

“On July 21 we will showcase a range of SIRIUS XM’s programming centered around the SIRIUS XM Fantasy Football Draft,” said Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS XM’s President and Chief Content Officer. “We’re assembling intriguing personalities from sports, talk, comedy and music in one place for an unprecedented event in the world of fantasy sports and we’re thrilled to share it with our subscribers.”

The event will kick off at 10:00 am ET with a broadcast of the Howard Stern Wrap Up Show, hosted by Stern Show executive producer Gary Dell’Abate and Jon Hein, live from the Hard Rock Cafe on Howard 100, one of Howard Stern’s two exclusive SIRIUS XM channels.

At 12:00 pm ET Southside Johnny, one of New Jersey’s legendary Rock and Rollers, will perform live on the Hard Rock stage. The performance will air live on E Street Radio (SIRIUS channel 10 and XM channel 58).

SIRIUS NFL Radio’s Adam Schein and Rich Gannon will host a special pre-draft show. Schein and Gannon, a 17-year NFL quarterback and the 2002 NFL MVP, will take questions from fans at the Hard Rock and preview the celebrity draft event which will start at 1:00 pm ET.

This year’s draft will feature 12 teams which will be managed by personalities from across the spectrum of SIRIUS XM programming, from the new SIRIUS XM Fantasy Sports Radio channel to SIRIUS XM’s talk and music channels.

Schein and Gannon will emcee the event, which will be conducted live on the Hard Rock stage and will air nationwide on SIRIUS XM Fantasy Sports Radio allowing fantasy sports fans around the country to tune in as celebrity team managers select their rosters and engage in some playful jousting with their competitors.

In addition to airing in its entirety on SIRIUS XM Fantasy Sports Radio, the SIRIUS XM Fantasy Football Draft will also be simulcast on SIRIUS NFL Radio (SIRIUS channel 124 and XM channel 124 as part of the “Best of SIRIUS”) and Mad Dog Radio (SIRIUS channel 123 and XM channel 144) from 1:00-3:00 pm ET.

Through the 2010 season, fans can follow the SIRIUS XM Fantasy Football League competition at www.sirius.com/siriusxmfantasysportsradio or www.xmradio.com/siriusxmfantasysportsradio.

SIRIUS XM Fantasy Sports Radio debuted July 1 on XM channel 147 and on SIRIUS channel 211 for subscribers who purchase the “Best of XM” package. The new 24/7 channel, dedicated to fantasy sports, offers advice and news from a collection of experts and covers a full spectrum of fantasy sports, including football, baseball, basketball, NASCAR, hockey, soccer and golf.

SIRIUS XM Fantasy Sports Radio is available to Premium Online subscribers through XM Radio Online and SIRIUS Internet Radio and through the SIRIUS XM App for the Apple iPhone, iPod touch and several BlackBerry and Android-powered smartphone devices. (Access to channel online and through the App may require a subscription upgrade.)

Historic International Soccer Match at Candlestick Park on August 4th, 2010 Tickets on sale today at 2:00 pm

Real Madrid, will face-off against Mexico’s Club America in San Francisco on August 4th at 8pm.

“We at Marquez Brothers International are proud to be able to bring Real Madrid to the bay area for their first ever match here,” proclaimed President and CEO Gustavo Marquez. “This will undoubtedly be the biggest club soccer match in the history of Northern California.”

Real Madrid is widely considered to be the world’s top soccer club with 10 players participating in this year’s World Cup. Led by legendary coach Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid features a who’s who of worldwide soccer superstars including Portuguese National Team Captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Brazilian midfielder Kaka, Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain and Dutch midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart, among others. Real Madrid has won 30 league Championships, 17 Spanish Copa del Rey titles and 9 European Cup/Champions League titles.

“We are pleased to bring soccer’s best to San Francisco for this high-profile match,” said Manny Arias, Partner of World Entertainment Sport Promotions and former professional soccer player. “Get ready to see some amazing soccer. We invite all sports fans to join us at Candlestick Park to witness Real Madrid vs Club America on this momentous occasion.”

Club America is considered Mexico’s most popular club when it comes to fan support, history and quality play. They play their home games in Azteca Stadium, the largest stadium in Latin America, and the fifth largest in the world. National team goaltender, Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa and midfield veteran Pavel Pardo represent two of Mexico’s best in dedication, skill and physical ability.

Club America’s history is decorated with 33 championships, including 10 in the professional era and 4 in the amateur area of the Mexican League. Returning Head Coach Manuel Lapuente will most certainly have Club America ready for this rare opportunity to prove the competitive level of Mexico’s top squad.

Tickets start at $35 and go on sale on Saturday, July 3rd at 2 pm at Ticketmaster.com phones and Ticketmaster retail outlets. For additional information visit www.ElMexicanoPresents.com. Real Madrid vs Club America is presented by El Mexicano Brand Food Products.

World Entertainment Sport Promotions, LLC (WESP) with corporate offices in Gilbert, Arizona is an international promoter of sport and entertainment events, with particular emphasis on soccer international events across the World. WESP is dedicated to bring value-priced, world-class events to educated consumers.

Marquez Brothers International, Inc., with corporate offices in San Jose, California, is a manufacturer of El Mexicano cheeses and food products. Marquez Brothers Entertainment is a promoter and producer of special events presenting the best in concerts, dances, soccer matches and rodeos. The “El Mexicano” name represents quality food products for the entire family.

UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar returned to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Saturday night in Las Vegas,  and won a big fight against Shane Carwin. “My hat’s off to him” Carwin said, “He’s the champion”.

Check out the full UFC 116 Results below.

Pay-Per-View Bouts:
Brock Lesnar def. Shane Carwin via submission (arm triangle choke)
Chris Leben def. Yoshihiro Akiyama via submission (triangle choke)
Chris Lytle def. Matt Brown via submission (armbar)
Stephan Bonnar def. Krzysztof Soszynski via second-round TKO
George Sotiropoulos def. Kurt Pellegrino via unanimous decision

Spike TV Bouts:
Brendan Schaub def. Chris Tuchscherer by first-round TKO
Ricardo Romero def. Seth Petruzelli via submission (armbar)

Preliminary Bouts:
Kendall Grove def. Goran Reljic via split decision
Gerald Harris def. Dave Branch via third-round TKO
Daniel Roberts def. Forrest Petz via split decision

Jon Madsen def. Karlos Vemola via unanimous decision

UFC 116 opposes Lesnar vs Carwin in what promises to be an amazing fight.

Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin are the fighters for this amazing contest in the main event.

Lesnar has in incredible reputation but is back after fighting a dangerous disease, diverticulitis, so he is not in the best shape of his career.

On the other hand, Carwin has more experience but is a little bit shorter, which might cost him.

PPV Main Card

World Heavyweight Championship Fight: Brock Lesnar (c) 265 lbs vs United States Shane Carwin (ic) 265 lbs

Middleweight fight: Japan Yoshihiro Akiyama 185 lbs vs. United States Chris Leben 186 lbs

Light heavyweight fight: Krzysztof Soszynski 205 lbs vs. Stephan Bonnar 205 lbs

Lightweight fight: George Sotiropoulos 156 lbs vs. Kurt Pellegrino 155 lbs

Welterweight fight: Chris Lytle 170 lbs vs. Matt Brown 171 lbs

Preliminary card (Live on Spike TV)

Heavyweight fight: Brendan Schaub 238 lbs vs. Chris Tuchscherer 255 lbs

Light heavyweight fight: Seth Petruzelli 205 lbs vs. Ricardo Romero 206 lbs

Preliminary card

Middleweight fight: Kendall Grove 184 lbs vs. Goran Reljic 186 lbs

Middleweight fight: Gerald Harris 185 lbs vs. Dave Branch I85 lbs

Welterweight fight: Daniel Roberts 169 lbs vs. Forrest Petz 170 lbs

Heavyweight fight: Jon Madsen 254 lbs vs. Karlos Vemola 222 lbs

Esimit Europa 2 (www.esimit.com) has taken line honours in the Giraglia Race after it majestically crossed the finish line in San Remo at 11:05 in the morning. Owner Igor Simcic and his European crew onboard the 100-foot canting keel maxi yacht completed the 241 nautical mile course in just over 23 hours.

The fleet of 220 yachts left the Bay of St Tropez at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday in a south-east breeze of 8-10 knots. As the afternoon went on and the wind speed increased to 20 knots, Esimit Europa 2 pulled ahead swiftly, leaving Shockwave (NZL), Container (GER) and Alegre (GBR) behind. However, during the night the wind speed dropped and with only 3-5 knots of breeze this morning it made for a slow arrival into San Remo.

As the first yacht to round the famous Giraglia ‘rock’ off the tip of Corsica on the evening of June 16 at 10:25 p.m. CET, Esimit Europa 2, sponsored by Gazprom, will also collect the Beppe Croce trophy at the award ceremony on Saturday, 19 June in San Remo.

“It was an amazing race. The crew did an excellent job, particularly given that this was our first offshore regatta. I am so proud of them and of our main sponsor, Gazprom, who believe in this amazing project. This is a victory for all of us and for all European citizens,” said the yacht owner Igor Simcic. “We’ll have a full team debrief today and celebrate our victory. We have learned a great deal from this event and will now shift our focus to the next regatta,” he added.

Commenting on the team’s first win the boat skipper Flavio Favini said: “The conditions were well suited to Esimit Europa 2. It wasn’t long before we broke away from the fleet as we sailed upwind to the mark at La Fourmique, then headed downwind to the Giraglia. The wind died down almost completely as we rounded the Rock and it took us almost 12 hours to reach San Remo. There is always the concern that the fleet can close in on you when the wind dies, but Esimit Europa 2 is so fast that we stayed clear ahead. It’s an honour to have been first over the line and I congratulate the whole crew for their commitment to the race and the project.”

The next stop on the racing programme of Esimit Europa 2 is the Palermo – Monte Carlo regatta, which starts on 18 August.

Julian Myers, APR, 92-year-old head of Julian Myers Public Relations in Los Angeles, will compete in nine events June 5 in the California State Senior Games in Pasadena and in six in one day at Huntsman World Senior Games in October in St. George, Utah.

“I do it to promote AmigoDay, which the world needs now,” Myers explains. “AmigoDay: Just greet anyone anywhere, your way, any month’s first Sunday.”

Because California Games invites participants from anywhere, Myers is officially saluting it by AmigoDay by participating. He and his wife, Patsy, have trademarked AmigoDay, and are striving to make it as observed worldwide as Mother’s Day.

Myers is the American champion for his age group in the 3,000 meter run for the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and “probably 2009.” He has entered the 50 meter, 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter, 800 meter and 1500 meter runs, plus long jump, triple jump and javelin at Pasadena.

Julian has competed in 25 marathons in many parts of the world, beginning at age 61. For the past four years he has won six medals in all Huntsman World Senior Games’ six events he participates in. He hopes to continue this record. He ran 90 miles for 90th birthday, invited 390 to dinner. For 100th will run 100 miles from San Diego, now inviting 500 for dinner.

Julian graduated from USC in Cinema in 1939, and is in pre-production on his first feature film, “Nighthawks: 75 Minutes and Nine Lives,” about artist Edward Hopper.

“Amigo” is defined in dictionaries as “friend.” It is derived from the Latin word “amicus.” Versions of it are in 37 languages. “America” is thought to be an offspring.

Myers began his p.r. career at 20th-Fox helping make Marilyn Monroe famous. Today he is a member of the Public Relations branch of Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, teaches at UCLA Extension (32 years) and Loyola Marymount University (18 years). He says, “I intend to keep busy in my public relations profession until I’m a hundred-and-twenty. After that I’ll concentrate on my running – and visiting AmigoDay celebrations all over the world.”

XM subscribers and SIRIUS subscribers with the ‘Best of XM’ will hear live broadcast of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ plus extensive pre- and post-race programming

SIRIUS XM Radio, the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body for the IZOD IndyCar® Series and Firestone Indy Lights, announced today that it will offer comprehensive coverage of the world-renowned Indianapolis 500.

SIRIUS XM listeners will have access to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” live from Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30 on XM channel 145 and SIRIUS channel 211 (part of the “Best of XM”). Motorsports fans will hear pre-race programming, including expert commentary and analysis, interviews with drivers and live coverage of driver introductions. When the green flag drops at 1:00 pm ET, SIRIUS XM listeners will hear the race live in its entirety, followed by a post-race recap and interviews.

In addition to the Indianapolis 500, SIRIUS XM will broadcast the Firestone Freedom 100 race featuring the Firestone Indy Lights at noon ET on Friday, May 28. The 100-mile race from the Indy Racing League’s developmental series features some of the world’s best young open-wheel drivers. After the Freedom 100, SIRIUS XM will air the Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge, plus a recap of the day’s Indy 500 practice. All broadcasts air nationwide on XM channel 145 and SIRIUS channel 211 (“Best of XM”).

For more information, please visit http://www.xmradio.com/indycarseriesracing.