In its seventh consecutive year, ESPN's Jimmy V Week for Cancer Research begins today, Dec. 3, across all domestic ESPN platforms. For the first time, the initiative will expand to two weeks to continue driving awareness of and donations to The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Last year, Jimmy V Week raised nearly $1.6 million, bringing the six-year total of contributions to more than $6.5 million.
"It's been 20 years since Jim Valvano's courageous words inspired us all to work tirelessly in the fight against this terrible disease," said John Skipper, President, ESPN. "Over those two decades, we've seen enormous strides in cancer research and treatment options - progress that comes as a direct result of Jim's vision."
Jimmy V Week launches Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. ET with a simulcast of former NC State coach Jim Valvano's 1993 ESPYs speech across
ESPN domestic media networks, as well as on the
ABC SuperSign in Times Square. The 13-minute speech will air simultaneously on ESPN, ESPN2,
ESPN Classic, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN3,
ESPN Deportes and the Longhorn Network. It will also be available throughout Jimmy V Week on ESPN.com, ESPN3 and jimmyv.org. The simulcast of the speech on all platforms includes an introduction by cancer survivor,
Good Morning America host and 2013 Arthur Ashe Courage Award Winner Robin Roberts.
To honor the 20th anniversary of the iconic speech, Roberts and a host of athletes, coaches, celebrities and
ESPN personalities will recite Valvano's memorable words in public service announcements following the simulcast of the speech and airing on
ESPN platforms throughout Jimmy V Week. Special versions of the PSA will be tailored to NFL and NBA programming with participation from Colin Kaepernick, Eli Manning, Joe Flacco, Tony Gonzalez, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and DeAndre Jordan.
The custom PSAs and Jimmy V Week content, graphics and executions will appear in Monday Night Football, NBA on
ESPN games and
College Football games on
ABC throughout the initiative.
Monday Night Football integration will include games on Monday, Dec. 9, when the Dallas Cowboys visit the Chicago Bears, and on Monday, Dec. 16, when the Baltimore Ravens visit the Detroit Lions. The NBA on
ESPN games include two doubleheaders on Wednesday, Dec. 11, and Friday, Dec. 13. In Wednesday's doubleheader, the New York Knicks will host the Chicago Bulls, followed by the Dallas Mavericks visiting the Golden State Warriors. On Friday, the Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Los Angeles Lakers, followed by the Houston Rockets visiting the Golden State Warriors. Additionally, ABC's
College Football broadcasts on Saturday, Dec. 7, at both noon and 8 p.m. will include integrated Jimmy V Week content.
Jimmy V Week will conclude with the Jimmy V Women's and Men's Basketball Classics Presented by Corona on Tuesday, Dec. 17. At 7 p.m. on ESPN2, the 12th annual women's showdown will feature No. 1 Connecticut vs. No. 2 Duke from Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. The 19th annual men's doubleheader will match Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati at 7 p.m. and No. 16 Florida vs. No. 11 Memphis at 9:30 p.m., on
ESPN and
ESPN Radio from Madison Square Garden.
Highlights:
· Simulcast of Valvano's 1993 ESPYs speech aired simultaneously across
ESPN networks;
· Jimmy V Men's and Women's Basketball Classics;
· Public service announcements featuring the words of Valvano's iconic speech, spoken by various athletes and personalities;
· Integration in Monday Night Football, NBA on
ESPN games and
College Football broadcasts on ABC;
· Features and vignettes in game telecasts and studio programming across platforms;
· Special content and live chats on ESPN.com;
· Social activation across
ESPN and The V Foundation social platforms;
· Special graphics, including the Jimmy V Week
Logo and the on-screen watermark.
Additional details:
During this two-week initiative, ESPN,
ESPN2 and
ESPNU will televise the Big Ten/ACC Challenge Presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods on Tuesday, Dec. 3, and Wednesday, Dec. 4, as well as games from the inaugural Big 12/SEC Challenge from Thursday, Dec. 5, through Tuesday, Dec. 10. Additionally,
ESPN Classic will carry 26 memorable NC State games, including the 1983 ACC Tournament Final.
The initiative will also be integrated across
ESPN studio and
ESPN Radio programming with special guests and features on First Take, Olbermann, Numbers Never Lie, Outside the Lines, Highly Questionable, Pardon the Interruption, Around the Horn, The Freddie Coleman Show, Jorge Ramos y Su Banda and SportsNation. In addition, ESPN.com, Grantland, espnW,
ESPN Deportes, and each of ESPN's major market multi-platform websites in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas and Chicago will integrate Jimmy V Week content.
Across all
ESPN networks, the Bottomline will encourage viewers to join
ESPN and The V Foundation in the fight against cancer by calling 1-800-4-JIMMY-V or visiting jimmyv.org. The message will also run in Spanish on
ESPN Deportes.
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 1993, The Foundation has funded more than $115 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 TeamESPN:
TeamESPN, the corporate outreach program of ESPN, encompasses ESPN's multi-faceted initiatives, including volunteerism, corporate giving and cause marketing, while also utilizing its diverse media assets. Through Team ESPN,
ESPN employees and fans join together to make a difference in the communities in which
ESPN works. Its slogan is "Fans Helping Fans."(R)
