'New American Sportsman' goes prime time with Golden Bear

Classic television show to anchor evening block on ESPN2;
Jack makes appearance on premier episode

ESPN Outdoors Communications

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- An old favorite will get a new look and a prized time slot when ESPN Outdoors debuts "The New American Sportsman" on ESPN2 Monday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. ET. The show will anchor a new primetime block of outdoor programming produced by ESPN Original Entertainment.

The show, a favorite of viewing audiences from the 1960s to the 1980s, has been reimagined with segments ranging from tarpon fishing with legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus to a photo safari with actor Greg Kinnear. ESPN2 is taking a new direction by expanding its prime-time offerings to encompass the outdoors.

"We have a tremendous opportunity to expose outdoors programming to a broad audience on a weekly basis, when our prime time block debuts on ESPN2 in September," said Michael Rooney, Senior Vice President and General Manager of ESPN Outdoors. " 'The New American Sportsman' will be our flagship program, and we couldn't be more excited about bringing a classic series back to television.

"Many Americans have fond memories of 'The American Sportsman' and we intend to capture the essence of the original series. We will continue its tradition by delivering great storytelling, beautiful pictures, celebrity guests and awesome adventures," added Rooney, who introduced the show to news media covering the CITGO BASSMASTERS Classic in Birmingham today.

Many members from the original production team will be involved in this program, including executive producer Bud Morgan and head writer Pat Smith.

"It's wonderful to get back to a time when I was growing up with kids camping outside and watching shows like 'The American Sportsman,' " said Steve Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Williams spoke Thursday at B.A.S.S. conservation meetings, which are a focal point of Classic Week each year.

Since its inception in 2001, ESPN Outdoors -- a multi-departmental initiative to coordinate company-wide, multi-media efforts -- has strived to inform and entertain anglers, hunters, campers and people of all ages who enjoy the outdoors. ESPN Outdoors is committed to increasing awareness of outdoor activities, a direction best exemplified by daily television programming totaling more than 1,200 hours annually on ESPN and ESPN2.

Each year, ESPN Outdoors stages more than 30 marquee events including the CITGO BASSMASTERS Classic and the Great Outdoor Games. ESPN Outdoors encompasses B.A.S.S., the world's largest fishing organization that sanctions more than 20,000 events through the B.A.S.S. Federation. ESPN Outdoors also features Bassmaster.com, ESPNOutdoors.com, a weekly fishing show on ESPN Radio as well as a growing array of promotions and activities that deliver a clear message of conservation and ethical sportsmanship.