espnW to Present Full Slate of Original Content & Programming This March

Today marks the beginning of Women's History Month, and espnW will kick off ESPN's robust celebration with a full slate of dedicated original content and programming built around the theme of "Women Making History." To launch the commemoration, espnW's new brand film, When I Play, will premiere just before 8 a.m. ET on SPORTSCENTER and Mike & Mike.

espnW's When I Play is a film that directly and proudly celebrates women and gives voice to women and girls who see their athleticism as a way to reclaim themselves, to find themselves, and to embrace their power. It embodies how espnW defines its message and mission. Starting with a poem written by espnW's Allison Glock (who is also the film's executive producer and co-director) and produced by an all-woman senior production team, the film features real athletes - not actors - from the cultural hotbed of Atlanta, who volunteered to participate.

"When I Play perfectly illustrates why espnW matters - as a platform for women that empowers them and showcases their strength and talents," said Laura Gentile, senior vice president, espnW & Women's Initiatives. "It's the appropriate kick off to Women's History Month, which we're calling "Women Making History Month," to highlight the contributions of women yesterday, today and, most importantly, to come. This celebration also offers us another avenue to showcase the talented, dynamic women who work across ESPN every single day."

Also on Wednesday, ESPN will feature its many accomplished and distinctive female voices across each of its shows over the course of 24 hours, beginning with the 7 a.m. edition of SPORTSCENTER and including First Take, Mike & Mike, The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, OTL, AROUND THE HORN and more. News, analysis and perspective ranging from the day's news to the latest headlines in the NFL, NBA and MLB will be delivered by Michelle Beadle, Doris Burke, Cari Champion, Jemele Hill, Suzy Kolber, Sarina Morales, Rachel Nichols, Wendy Nix, Ramona Shelburne, Sarah Spain, and more, and will span the country from Los Angeles, to New York, Bristol and Miami, among other locations.

Additionally in March, ESPN will present more than 140 hours of live women's events programming across its linear networks, including all 32 games of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, beginning March 17, as well as women's professional tennis, college softball and more. Full schedules will be announced at a later date.

espnW.com In addition to the launch of When I Play, espnW.com will publish weekly "Women Making History" content in March, including:

• A photo gallery + story from Cindy Whitehead's new book, which profiles young girl skateboarders who are PIONEERS in a traditionally boys' sport.
• A profile of two women, former college athletes, who have been training to be over-the-wall pit crew members as part of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program. The two women will probably make their debut as tire changers in the ARCA season opener at Daytona.
• A look at Pratima Sherpa, a 17-year-old who lives with her parents in a shed by the fourth hole of Royal Nepal Golf Club in Kathmandu, dreams of being a professional golfer. She was discovered by Ollie Horowitz, an American who caddied at St. Andrews, who's trying to get a U.S. college interested in getting her over here.
• A feature on Smash Sisters co-founders Lilian Chen and Emily Sun, who set out to attract more women to the competitive level of Super Smash Bros - a male-dominated esports game. What they created is camaraderie in action, empowering women to come together and play.

espnW.com will also showcase biweekly poetry inspired by Women Making History and will also offer videos of ESPN's original content including the NINE FOR IX shorts, E:60 features of inspirational and accomplished Olympic athletes like gymnast Simone Biles, fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, boxer Claressa Shields and more. All espnW "Women Making History" content will be available at: espnW.com.

ESPN Radio Throughout March, espnW's signature ESPN Radio show, The Trifecta, will honor "Women Making History" with special guests and topics. The Trifecta is hosted by espnW writers Kate Fagan, Jane McManus and Sarah Spain, and airs Saturdays, noon - 3 p.m.

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