April 24, 2008

MEDIA ADVISORY

Chris Webber Joins TNT For NBA Playoff Coverage

Turner Sports announced today a diverse role for five-time NBA All-Star Chris Webber that includes appearances on a cross-section of its linear and digital assets through the remainder of the network’s NBA playoff coverage. Webber will make several appearances on TNT, host a weekly broadband series on TNT Overtime on NBA.com and make numerous appearances on NBA TV.  TNT will air over 40 NBA playoff games this season postseason, concluding with the network’s exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals.

“We have had Chris in as a guest on our NBA studio show on a number of occasions and have always thought highly of his abilities to be both candid and outgoing,” said Jeff Behnke, Turner Sports SVP and Executive Producer. “We are excited to have Chris join us and look forward to providing NBA fans with a glimpse at his unique personality through a myriad of platforms during our NBA Playoffs coverage.” 

“I am excited to begin a new phase of my professional career by joining Turner Sports for their coverage of the NBA Playoffs, said Webber, a 15-year NBA veteran. “There’s great chemistry between EJ, Kenny, Charles and I and I look forward to sharing that with NBA Fans.”

Webber first laces them up on TNT for a two-day stint on its Emmy Award-winning studio show with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley on Sunday, April 27, and will join Johnson, Smith and Magic Johnson in studio on Monday, April 28. Beginning the week of April 28, Webber will provide weekly playoff analysis and series breakdowns titled The Webb Report on Turner’s broadband channel, TNT Overtime on NBA.com. Finally C-Webb, as Webber is affectionately known, will make numerous appearances on NBA TV throughout the postseason.

Webber is only the sixth player in NBA history to average over twenty points (20.7), nine rebounds (9.8) and four assists (4.2) per game in his career, joining Basketball Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Elgin Baylor and Billy Cunningham, and future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett.  Along with being a five-time NBA All-Star, Webber earned one-time All-NBA First Team Selection (2001), three-time All-NBA Second Team Selection (1999, 2002, 2003) and 1994 NBA Rookie of the Year honors. He was a member of one of college basketball’s most popular teams as one of Michigan’s Fab Five. Webber played for the Golden State Warriors (twice), Washington Bullets/Wizards, Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons during his NBA career.

Turner Sports, Inc., a Time Warner company, presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised sports programming.  With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATour.com and PGA.com.

Turner Network Television (TNT), television’s destination for drama and one of cable’s top-rated networks, offers original movies and series, including the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama The Closer, starring Golden Globeâ winner and Emmy® and Screen Actors Guild Awardsâ nominee Kyra Sedgwick, and Saving Grace, a provocative new drama starring Oscar® winner and Screen Actors Guild Award nominee Holly Hunter.  TNT is also home to powerful one-hour dramas, such as Bones, Law & Order, Without a Trace, Cold Case, ER and Charmed; broadcast premiere movies; compelling prime-time specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA.  TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.