Atlanta Dream and Seattle Storm to Play for WNBA Title; ESPN2 and ABC to Carry Finals

The Atlanta Dream and Seattle Storm will compete for the WNBA title in a best-of-five series beginning in Seattle on Sunday, Sept. 12, at 3 p.m. ET on ABC. ESPN2 will televise the remainder of the series, which will be simulcast on ESPN3.com.
Terry Gannon will call the games, along with analyst Carolyn Peck. Rebecca Lobo and Heather Cox will serve as sideline reporters. Cindy Brunson will host ESPN’s studio coverage for the WNBA Finals presented by adidas, joined by analyst Doris Burke.
ESPN’s telecast will include access to the lead official and both head coaches, Seattle’s Brian Agler and Atlanta’s Marynell Meadors, who will be wearing live microphones. Stephanie Ready, an assistant coach with the Chicago Sky, will sit in the production truck and use an enhanced telestrator to help break down the action for viewers.
Twelve cameras will be used throughout the WNBA Finals, including two above the rim and a roving floor (RF) camera that will give fans more access. The RF camera will provide a unique on-court view mainly during some free-throw attempts.
ESPN will use a new animation package, plus special footage of players and the WNBA trophy. The package will also include a new WNBA on ESPN logo. Also enhancing the Finals will be newly-composed music developed by Deeji Mincey and Boris Zelkin of Notes from the Playground. The duo have composed music for other ESPN telecasts, including several NCAA Championships and The Open Championship.
The Storm, the top overall seed, posted a league- and franchise-best 28-6 regular- season record. Seattle swept both rounds of the WNBA playoffs, topping the Los Angeles Sparks in the Conference Semifinals and the Phoenix Mercury in the Conference Finals. The Storm are led by Agler, the WNBA Coach of the Year, and Lauren Jackson, the WNBA MVP presented by Kia Motors.
The Dream looks to become the first No. 4 seed to claim the WNBA title. Atlanta also swept through its first two rounds, knocking off the top-seeded Washington Mystics in the Conference Semifinals, before beating the New York Liberty in the Conference Finals. The Dream are led by Angel McCoughtry, who set a WNBA record with 42 points in Game 2 against the Liberty.
WNBA Finals Schedule (All ESPN2 games simulcast on ESPN3.com; schedule subject to change)
Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
Sun, Sep 12 | 3 p.m. | Atlanta at Seattle | ABC |
Tue, Sep 14 | 9 p.m. | Atlanta at Seattle | ESPN2 |
Thu, Sep 16 | 8 p.m. | Seattle at Atlanta | ESPN2 |
Sun, Sep 19 | 3 p.m. | Seattle at Atlanta* | ESPN2 |
Tue, Sep 21 | 9 p.m. | Atlanta at Seattle* | ESPN2 |
* if necessary
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