The Phelps Effect: NBC to Televise Swimming Championships

• Aug 21, 2008 04:31 PM ET
• by Richard1211

Newly minted eight-time Olympic gold-medalist Michael Phelps has said he wants to raise the profile of swimming in America and NBC is helping grant his wish (while hoping to cash in on his success, too). The network announced plans to televise the 2009 world championships, as well as the U.S. championships through 2011.

Despite being the second biggest swim meet on the planet, the FINA World Championships rarely get much American TV time. For the 2009 edition - to be held in Rome in late July and early August - NBC is planning weekend coverage. Sister digital channel Universal Sports (an Olympic-sports junkie's dream) will have weekday events.

"My mom has told me that I better make the [2009 U.S. national team], because she wants to go to Rome," Phelps joked. "I have the pressure from the mom, so I guess we have to get back into it and make that happen." Something tells us he's got a pretty good shot.