ESPN to Present 28-Hour Fantasy Football Marathon This August

ESPN will televise the 28-hour Draft Kings Fantasy Football Marathon in preparation for the 2016 NFL season on Aug. 15-16. The first-time programming initiative - starting Monday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. ET through Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 11 p.m. - will feature Fantasy Football specials in primetime both nights, segments on multiple editions of SportsCenter, and Fantasy Football-themed editions of popular ESPN shows, including First Take, Mike & Mike, His & Hers, SPORTSNATION and NFL Live. All programs during the marathon will be streamed live on WatchESPN.

Senior Fantasy Sports Analyst Matthew Berry and NFL Insider Adam Schefter will appear on ESPN shows throughout the entire 28 hours. Michelle Beadle and Trey Wingo will co-host the primetime shows on both nights - the five-hour SPORTSCENTER Special: Fantasy Football Rankings (Aug. 15: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2) and the marathon-ending four-hour SPORTSCENTER Special: Fantasy Football Celebrity Mock Draft (Aug. 16: 7 p.m., ESPN), which will include a live Fantasy Football draft with ESPN commentators and celebrities. Kenny Mayne will also be part of the primetime shows and other programs, sharing his football insights and his unique humor and wit.

ESPN Fantasy Football, the industry's No. 1 fantasy game, returns for its 21st season this fall with new content and features across ESPN platforms. The game is free for all fans and is accompanied by the most comprehensive collection of expert analysis, news, tools and statistical information in fantasy sports, including industry's top Fantasy Football mobile App.

"Fantasy Football is so enormously popular and with fans everywhere now joining leagues and drafting teams we will officially kick off the new season across ESPN platforms with this 28-hour marathon," said Norby Williamson, ESPN Executive Vice President, Production. "This is among our most creative and collaborative ideas to date. We will utilize resources across our many television and radio shows, ESPN Stats & Information, ESPN Fantasy Sports, ESPN Social and more, while showcasing the ESPN Fantasy App, to make this a big, fun event for fans."

Special guests and celebrities expected to participate in the Fantasy Football draft in primetime on Aug. 16 include: Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic of Mike & Mike; Michael Smith and Jemele Hill of His & Hers; former NFL wide receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson; comedian Frank Caliendo; popular music artist Darius Rucker; FOOD NETWORK STAR and celebrity chef Bobby Flay; and actress Jamie Lynn-Sigler (The Sopranos and Entourage).

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