ESPN2 Premieres New Show For Hispanic Sports Fans: Nación ESPN

ESPN today announced the debut of Nación ESPN, a new interactive sports talk show dedicated to covering the most relevant and diverse sports news and information tailored to young, bilingual U.S. Hispanic sports fans. The new one-hour, weekly show will premiere on Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. ET and air live on ESPN2 on Mondays from ESPN’s studios in Los Angeles.

Nación ESPN will be hosted by three prominent and experienced ESPN commentators: Jorge Sedano, co-host of ESPNLA’s Mornings with Keyshawn and Jorge and LZ; Bernardo Osuna, ESPN’s bilingual sports authority, boxing reporter and host of ESPN Deportes’ A Los Golpes; and ESPNDeportes.com reporter and baseball expert Marly Rivera. Their combined voices and diverse expertise will reflect a dynamic Hispanic population, promoting culturally relevant content and information they want in the most authentic manner and in the language they prefer.

Fueled by fan interaction, lively debates and engaging discussions, Nación ESPN will offer content that is relevant and engaging to a broader audience while including unique points-of-view that reflect the Hispanic sports fan. Although the show will be produced in English, guests will be free to communicate in their language of preference – Spanish or English.

“Adding Jorge, Marly and Bernardo to existing voices we have on His and Hers, First Take and Highly Questionable strengthens our commitment to better serve a diverse sports fan base while also generating opportunities for advertisers with a total market approach,” said Freddy Rolón, vice president and general manager of ESPN Deportes. “Nación ESPN will speak to the audience in a way that resonates with their evolving multicultural lifestyles and interests.”

Toyota has signed on as the show’s presenting sponsor, extending the existing alliance the automaker has with ESPN’s SportsNation and ESPN Deportes’ Nación ESPN. As the presenting sponsor, Toyota will be featured across all elements of the program including graphics, segments, promotions, and media presence during telecasts and across the show’s digital and social media platforms. In addition, Gillette, Allstate and Taco Bell join as inaugural sponsors with media presence, and unique integrations across the show’s features and segments.

“Toyota and ESPN have a decade-long partnership, working together on industry-leading programming, from SportsNation to Nación on ESPN on ESPN Deportes,” said Lisa Materazzo, General Manager of Media Strategy and Engagement at Toyota Motor Sales. “Bringing Nación to the ESPN2 audience evolves how we reach a Hispanic audience in a smart, compelling way.”

The program is a fusion of the two Emmy Award-winning shows, SportsNation and Nación ESPN on ESPN Deportes. While following a similar format, the new show will leverage the crossover that exists between the programs, serving as an authentic connection between the ESPN and ESPN Deportes audiences.

In addition to the three hosts, ESPN and ESPN Deportes on-air personalities will routinely add their unique and expert perspective to the show.

The telecasts on ESPN2 will be complemented with additional content available across ESPN and ESPN Deportes platforms, including short-form videos on ESPN.com and ESPNDeportes.com, audio streaming of the shows through ESPN podcasts and via social media platforms – NacionESPN2 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.