Notebook

Published: May 16, 2008

•ESPN acquires U.S. Open tennis: ESPN and the United States Tennis Association have agreed to a six-year television and digital rights agreement that brings the U.S. Open to ESPN for the first time, starting in 2009. ESPN2 will carry about 100 hours of live action a year.

•Softball coverage begins: Coverage of the NCAA Division I softball tournament begins today on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN360.com. The networks will combine to cover 45 games, six more than last year. This weekend's telecasts will originate from Los Angeles, Knoxville, Tenn., and Tuscaloosa, Ala.

•WNBA telecasts: ESPN2 and ABC will combine to televise 22 regular-season WNBA games, starting with the defending champion Phoenix Mercury and Diana Taurasi when they host the Los Angeles Sparks and No. 1 draft pick Candace Parker at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. NBA TV also will air 65 regular-season games.

•Kornheiser takes buyout: Sports columnist Tony Kornheiser has accepted a buyout offer from The Washington Post. Kornheiser has shifted his emphasis to TV as co-host of ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption” and as analyst on "Monday Night Football.” Kornheiser joined the paper in 1979.

•Coming attractions: OU quarterback Sam Bradford and OSU President Burns Hargis will be interviewed on "The Oklahoma Sports Blitz,” 10:20 p.m. Sunday, KWTV-9. ... KWTV's small-town baseball series continues with Commerce (Mickey Mantle) at 10 tonight, Binger (Johnny Bench) at 10 p.m. Monday and Hartshorne (Warren Spahn) at 10 p.m. Wednesday. ... "The Oklahoma High School Sports Express” wraps up its spring season at 7:30 p.m. Sunday on KAUT-43. "The Express” featured student-athletes from 294 schools competing in 26 sports this school year ... FSN Southwest's "Big 12 Showcase,” 2:30 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. Saturday, will originate from Oklahoma City, including an interview with OU softball coach Patty Gasso. ... FSN Southwest will air "Spotlight; Rebuilding New Orleans,” 10 p.m. Sunday, including interviews with Rangers manager Ron Washington and former Mavericks coach Avery Johnson.

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