CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy Vice President Chris Klein calls it a “very exciting thing” the new partnership between the team and their new broadcast partners, Time Warner Cable SportsNet and Time Warner Cable Deportes. Both networks debut on Monday night with a star-studded launch gala from their El Segundo studios.
READ: Time Warner Cable SportsNet and Time Warner Cable Deportes to Launch on Monday
Time Warner Cable SportsNet presents a two-hour live program at 7 p.m. that was a special edition of the network’s “Access SportsNet” that features David Beckham and other Galaxy players along with the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and Steve Nash as in-studio guests.
Time Warner Cable Deportes also debuts at 7 p.m. with a two-hour special that features Beckham, Bryant and Nash as well as Galaxy captain Landon Donovan and the Lakers’ Pau Gasol. Following at 9 and 9:30 p.m., respectively, are “Somos Lakers, La Biografia” and “Los 16 del Galaxy,” histories of the two franchises.
FIND TIME WARNER CABLE SPORTSNET ON YOUR PROVIDER!
“It’s very exciting, not only for the Galaxy but soccer in our country,” Klein said Monday. “What I’m most excited about is their approach with soccer in this country. We have to start showing it’s a major league sport, and Time Warner definitely is going to do that.
“I think with the direction sports is going with more access, really getting an understanding of how the players prepare, their reactions, analysis of the games, all the things they’re putting into place are what our sport needs.
“Things that other sports have, soccer is coming to that stage in its development.”
Galaxy coaches and players echoed those sentiments.
“You want everybody in the area to be able to flip on and watch and see what your product’s about,” midfielder Pat Noonan said. “We look forward to the partnership and hopefully it’s a long one.”
Added associated head coach Dave Sarachan, “It’s a huge deal. I would like to say unprecedented for a soccer team in MLS to align ourselves with a company like Time Warner.
“The commitment they’ve made with the Galaxy brand is fabulous. It can only benefit the Galaxy and the brand with the exposure we get.
“It’s exciting.”
