The big opening for West Coast SportsCenter

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There will be a special opening for the new ESPN ‘SportsCenter’ that will be broadcast from Los Angeles for the first time tonight at 10 p.m. The USC band is out in the LA Live plaza performing various versions of the ‘SportsCenter’ theme song, you know, the Da-da-da....Da...da...da one. So there will be a special SoCal flavor to this first night of the show being done outside of Bristol, Conn. One of the versions will be used for the opening.

This may not, however, draw in the UCLA viewers.

Oh, and anchor Neil Everett wants it known that he, too, will be wearing an Ermenegildo Zegna suit, same as his co-anchor Stan Verrett. This is kind of like the Oscars’ red carpet when you’re asking ‘Who are you wearing?’ At least the Trojans band is wearing the usual.

Here’s something you don’t usually hear when the USC band is marching. ‘We need the band to come closer to our talent.’ But, in a small disappointment ESPN has opted not to have Everett and Verrett ride into the new studio on Traveler. But that might mess up the Zegna suits.

-- Diane Pucin