July 01, 2008

MEDIA ADVISORY

Candace Parker nominated for ESPY award

Los Angeles Sparks’ WNBA Rookie of the Year candidate Candace Parker has been nominated for best female athlete at the 2008 ESPY Awards. Also nominated for the award are golfer Lorena Ochoa, auto racer Danica Patrick and skier Lindsey Vonn. Prior to being drafted by the Sparks, Parker was selected player of the year after leading Tennessee to its second consecutive NCAA title.

Fans determine the winners in 37 categories by voting online or with mobile phones. Fans can vote online by visiting ESPYS.tv. Voting closes on Friday, July 12. 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 16th annual ESPY awards, hosted by Justin Timberlake, will air on ESPN on Sunday, July 20 at 6 p.m. PDT.

For Sparks’ ticket information, call 1-877-44-SPARKS. Tickets also are available by calling 1-877-WNBA-TIX or by visiting either Ticketmaster.com or wnba.com/tickets.

About the Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks are in their 12th season in the Women’s National Basketball Association. The Sparks are one of the eight original teams in the WNBA. In December 2006, the Sparks were purchased by Gemini Basketball, LLC and they are one of seven WNBA teams owned and operated independent of NBA teams. For the first time in franchise history, the Sparks won the top pick for the 2008 WNBA Draft and selected college basketball player of the year Candace Parker of two-time NCAA champion Tennessee. The Sparks were led to back-to-back WNBA Championships in 2001 & 2002 by head coach Michael Cooper. The team’s roster of star athletes is led by three-time league MVP Lisa Leslie and includes All-Star forward DeLisha Milton-Jones, 2005 WNBA Rookie of the Year Temeka Johnson, stand-out 2007 rookie Sidney Spencer and Parker. The Sparks play their home games at STAPLES Center in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. For Sparks’ ticket information, call 1-877-44-SPARKS.