ESPN’s men’s and women’s college basketball coverage will feature the music of Atlantic Records recording artists for the fourth consecutive year throughout its extensive schedule of over 3,200 total games across ESPN networks. This multi-year collaboration enhances ESPN’s lengthy relationship with the storied record label and features 14 different artists from its dynamic roster. This year’s coverage features music from a variety of artists across multiple genres that ranges from global superstar Flo Rida, platinum-selling Fitz & The Tantrums and acclaimed indie-pop group Saint Motel to GRAMMY-nominated country star Hunter Hayes and hip-hop/R&B star Ty Dolla $ign among others.
“Pumped for one of our favorite tracks, ‘Great Night,’ from the new album to be included in ESPN’s NCAA Basketball coverage. We’ll be watching on the bus,” Bear Rinehart of GRAMMY-nominated rock band NEEDTOBREATHE states.
“Sports and music are some of the world’s greatest unifiers so I’m always excited when my songs are used as part of a campaign like this,” says Brendon Urie of the chart topping group Panic! At The Disco.
“ESPN’s collaboration with Atlantic Records, now in its fourth year, continues to enhance our men’s and women’s college basketball coverage with the talented artists and their music,” said Kevin Wilson, ESPN music director.
ESPN’s 2016-17 men’s schedule is highlighted in the opening days by the network’s premier early-season college basketball event pitting four of the all-time winningest programs for the sixth straight year in the State Farm Champions Classic on Tuesday, November 15th. The neutral-site, blockbuster doubleheader – staged from Madison Square Garden in New York City – showcases No. 2 Kentucky vs. No. 13 Michigan State (7 pm) and No. 1 Duke vs. No. 7 Kansas (9:30 pm) – all on ESPN.
ESPN’s women’s schedule opened on Monday, November 14th, with four-time defending champion UConn at No. 12 Florida State as part of the annual Tip-Off Marathon (6 pm ET, ESPN2), and culminates with the 30th anniversary of ESPN’s coverage of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship in March.
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
Big Smo – Movin’ On Up (Feat. Brandon Rogers)
Fitz & The Tantrums – HandClap
Flo Rida – That’s What I Like (Feat. Fitz)
Flo Rida – Who’s With Me
Gym Class Heroes – The Fighter (Feat. Ryan Tedder)
High Valley – Young Forever
Hunter Hayes – Young Blood
Matoma & Sean Paul – Paradise (Feat. KStewart)
NEEDTOBREATHE – Great Night (Feat. Shovels & Rope)
Ohana Bam – Blow Your Mind
Otto Knows – Back Where I Belong (Feat. Avicii)
Panic! At the Disco – Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time
Sage the Gemini – Now and Later
Ty Dolla $ign – Campaign (Feat. Future)
Saint Motel – Move
