Philadelphia Union announced today that broadcast partners 6abc, Comcast SportsNet and the Comcast Network will again televise 2014 Union games that are not shown nationally. WPVI-TV/6abc continues in its fifth season as the Union’s official broadcast partner and will air three of the team’s 34 total matches this season, while Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network, now in their fourth season, will air 25 matches. All matches will be broadcast in high definition.
"Like the live match experience at PPL Park we have a very high standard for our local broadcasts and strive to provide our fans with the best viewing experiences in soccer television viewing” said Philadelphia Union CEO & operating partner Nick Sakiewicz. “We are really excited to have yet another excellent broadcast team and look forward to another outstanding year with our television partners.”
Veteran broadcaster JP Dellacamera returns for his fifth season as the Union’s play by play man and will be joined this season by former Philadelphia KiXX goalkeeper Peter Pappas, who served as a pre-game and halftime host last year. A 13-year veteran goalkeeper for the KiXX, Pappas played in 416 regular season matches and recordining 23,606 minutes in goal. He also recorded 5,399 saves and 230 wins, while logging over an additional 2000 minutes and 450 saves in the postseason. The Philadelphia University graduate was named the MISL Goalkeeper of the Year on four occasions (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007) and was an All-League selection eight times.
“The Philadelphia Union and their fans have a team spirit and enthusiasm that are unparalleled,” said 6abc president & general manager, Bernie Prazenica. “6abc is proud to kick off the 5th season as the team’s official broadcast partner, and we look forward to bringing that infectious spirit and enthusiasm to our loyal viewers.”
MLS veteran radio and television announcer Tony Limarzi will host the Union’s 30 minute pre-game show as well as a halftime segment during all home matches. Heather Mitts, a decorated defender and three-time Olympic gold medal winner with the U.S. Women’s National Team, will return for her second season as the Union’s pre-game and sideline reporter for locally produced home matches.
“Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network are proud to be the cable home of The Philadelphia Union,” said Comcast SportsNet president Brian Monihan. “The Union’s fans are passionate about their team and we are happy to provide those fans with unparalleled access to their team through high definition game broadcasts, the ‘State of the Union’ magazine show, and coverage both on-air and on CSNPhilly.com.”
The Union’s weekly magazine show entitled “State of the Union,” which airs bi-weekly on Friday nights on The Comcast Network and Comcast SportsNet returns for its fourth season. Air times are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on The Comcast Network and 11:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet.
Please check your local listings for 6abc, Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network.
