ESPN's JIMMY V WEEK for Cancer Research to Begin Today

In its sixth consecutive year, ESPN's weeklong JIMMY V WEEK for Cancer Research begins today, Nov. 27 across all domestic ESPN platforms. The weeklong initiative will drive awareness of and donations to The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Last year, the Jimmy V Week initiative raised a record $1.3 million, bringing the five-year total of contributions to more than $5 million.

"We remain fully committed to working with The V Foundation to fight this terrible disease, which impacts too many of our fans and members of our ESPN family," said John Skipper, President, ESPN. "In memory of Jim and all of those who've bravely battled cancer - we'll never give up this fight."

Jimmy V Week launches today, Nov. 27, at 7 p.m. ET with a simulcast of former NC State coach Jim Valvano's 1993 ESPYs speech across ESPN domestic media networks, as well as on the ABC SuperSign in Times Square. The 13-minute speech will be seen simultaneously on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPN3, ESPN Deportes, Longhorn Network and ESPN 3D. It will also be available throughout the week on ESPN.com, ESPN3 and jimmyv.org. The simulcast of the speech on all platforms includes an introduction by two cancer survivors, ESPN commentator Stuart Scott and former Boston College, now New York Giants, linebacker Mark Herzlich.

The week will conclude with the Jimmy V Women's and Men's Basketball Classics Presented by Corona Extra on Monday, Dec. 3 and Tuesday, Dec. 4. On Monday, the 11th annual women's showdown will feature No. 5 Maryland vs. No 2. Connecticut at 7 p.m. from the XL Center in Hartford on ESPN2. The 10th annual men's doubleheader from Madison Square Garden will match Texas vs. Georgetown at 7 p.m. and No. 6 N.C. State vs. No. 23 Connecticut at 9 p.m., both on ESPN. It will mark NC State's second appearance in the Classic, which is in its 18th year.

Highlights:

· Simulcast of Valvano's 1993 ESPYs speech aired simultaneously across ESPN networks;

· Jimmy V Men's and Women's Classics;

· Features, vignettes and public service announcements in game and studio programming across platforms;

· Social activation across ESPN and The V Foundation social platforms;

· Special graphics, including the Jimmy V Week logo and the on-screen watermark.

Additional details:

During this weeklong initiative, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will televise the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods on November 27 and 28 and the SEC/Big East Challenge from November 29 to December 1. Additionally, ESPN Classic will carry 11 memorable NC State games, including the 1983 ACC Tournament Final. Monday Night Football on Monday, Dec. 3, will also include executions driving viewers to make donations to The V Foundation.

Throughout the week, content will also be integrated across ESPN studio and ESPN Radio programming with special guests and features on Outside the Lines, UNITE, Dan LeBatard is Highly Questionable, Pardon the Interruption, Jorge Ramos y Su Banda and SportsNation. In addition, clips from the upcoming 30 for 30 film When March Went Mad will be aired throughout the week.

Jimmy V Week will also be supported across digital assets at ESPN.com, Grantland, espnW, ESPN Deportes, and on each of ESPN's major market multi-platform websites in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas and Chicago.

Across all ESPN networks, the Bottomline will encourage viewers to join ESPN and The V Foundation in the fight against cancer by calling 1-800-4-JIMMY-V, visiting jimmyv.org or texting JimmyV to #80888. The message will also run in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.

About The V Foundation

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has awarded more than $100 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs. Administrative and fundraising expenses are paid by the Foundation's endowment. The Foundation awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Board. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.