Sundance Square to be home to ESPN during Super Bowl XLV

Fort Worth will be on the world stage during Super Bowl XLV, because ESPN has chosen downtown's Sundance Square as its production headquarters! Here are the details:

• More than 80 hours of ESPN TV coverage – as well as ESPN Radio shows and multimedia content – will be based out of Sundance Square. The onsite telecasts will begin on Monday, January 31, 2011.
• ESPN will construct a large outdoor set in front of the Chisholm Trail mural in the heart of Sundance Square. A separate ESPN radio set will be built nearby.
• Many of ESPN's most popular programs will originate from Sundance Square in the week preceding the Super Bowl – including Mike & Mike in the Morning, SportsCenter, NFL Live, and a special three-hour edition of Sunday NFL Countdown on Super Bowl Sunday.
• A big variety of commentators will be featured – including Chris Berman, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Ron Jaworski, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy Kolber, Stuart Scott, Hannah Storm, Trey Wingo, and Steve Young – along with top guests from the world of sports and entertainment.
• Program schedules will be released at a later date and all shows will be open for public viewing.

“I cannot think of a better partner for Fort Worth than ESPN,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief. “Super Bowl week is going to be very special for our citizens and ESPN will add to the excitement. We welcome the ESPN team into our family.”

ESPN selected Sundance Square for its ability to showcase the historic Tarrant County Courthouse, towering skyscrapers, and notable settings in and around the area.

“This is one of the biggest broadcasting opportunities we have ever hosted,” said Ed Bass, developer of Sundance Square. “As the cultural heart of the city, Sundance Square offers the perfect location, availability of space, and built-in audience where ESPN can interact with our visitors. ESPN will benefit from this dynamic urban environment and Fort Worth will be showcased as a vibrant, authentic, and diverse city to millions of people across the country.”

ESPN the Magazine has also chosen Fort Worth as the site for its annual NEXT event, one of Super Bowl week’s top parties. The venue will be announced later this year.

“The city and business leaders from Fort Worth and Sundance Square have welcomed ESPN with open arms, and we are thrilled that our production headquarters, ESPN The Magazine’s NEXT party, and other related events will originate from this world-class destination throughout the week of Super Bowl XLV,” said ESPN Executive Vice President John Skipper.

We're extremely excited about this winning partnership. Watch for more announcements in the coming weeks!