NEW YORK, May 14, 2008 – NBA TV will tip off its 2008 WNBA schedule when it presents an opening day double-header on Saturday, May 17. In the first game, recently-acquired, All-WNBA Defensive Team selection Katie Douglas will lead the Indiana Fever against Alana Beard and the Washington Mystics at 7 p.m. ET. The second contest will feature the Sacramento Monarchs who will look to avenge their loss to the San Antonio Silver Stars and All-Star Becky Hammon in the first round of the 2007 Western Conference playoffs when they meet at 10 p.m. ET.

Prior to opening day, NBA TV will present the WNBA Preview Show: Expect Great, a preview of the 2008 WNBA season with host Andre Aldridge and Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman who will provide in-depth analysis of the league’s upcoming season and a breakdown of all 14 teams on Thursday, May 15 at 8 p.m. ET.

During the WNBA’s 12th season, NBA TV will showcase several classic rivalries. On Saturday, May 31, the network will air a rematch of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals when the Detroit Shock, featuring All-Stars Deanna Nolan and Cheryl Ford, travel to Indiana to battle the Fever at 7 p.m. ET.

On Sunday, July 6, the network will head West when the 2007 WNBA champion Phoenix Mercury, led by All-Star guard Diana Taurasi and Finals MVP Cappie Pondexter, battle their longtime rival, the Los Angeles Sparks led by WNBA legend Lisa Leslie and No. 1 overall draft pick Candace Parker.

NBA TV’s 2008 coverage will also feature:

· Sixty-five regular season games and up to nine playoff games.

· Ten double-headers, including a Thursday, July 17 showcase featuring Washington against New York at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by a rematch of Phoenix against Los Angeles at 10:30 p.m. ET.

· Two triple-headers, featuring a Tuesday, July 27 event beginning with the Connecticut Sun against Washington at 4 p.m. ET, followed by Los Angeles against the Minnesota Lynx at 6 p.m. ET and Indiana against Phoenix at 9 p.m. ET.

· Thirteen appearances by Coach Bill Laimbeer’s Detroit Shock and 12 appearances by Coach Michael Cooper’s Los Angeles Sparks.

· National television debut of the expansion Atlanta Dream when it faces Detroit on Friday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

· Recaps of WNBA action, featuring highlights and interviews with coaches and players.