As previously reported, iconic rockers DEF LEPPARD and country legend TIM MCGRAW will add another notch to their belts of legendary rock anthems when 'Nine Lives' - the highly anticipated first single off Def Leppard's new studio album, Songs From The Sparkle Lounge (April 29, Bludgeon Riffola/Island/UMe)-becomes the featured track in a special opening segment recorded for NBA games airing on ABC. The open will be featured on game broadcasts on ABC through the rest of the season and on ABC and ESPN into the playoffs.

Click photo to view a new group shot featuring Def Leppard and Tim McGraw.

Exclusive new video footage was recently shot for the special opening segment with both artists in Los Angeles last week. The video will debut this Sunday, March 9th on ABC as the lead-in to the NBA game between the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns at 3:30 p.m. ET.

"The relationship for NBA on ABC to feature the pairing of 2 iconic artist with Def Leppard and Tim McGraw is the perfect evolution of the music associated with NBA broadcast that has included Black Eyed Peas, Rob Thomas, Destiny's Child and Tom Petty" -- David Saltz, Executive Producer for Music at ABC

The foundation for the album's collaboration with McGraw was laid at Def Leppard's 2006 Hollywood Bowl show where McGraw joined the band on stage for an encore performance of 'Pour Some Sugar On Me'. The artists stayed in touch following the performance, and when the band started writing the song 'Nine Lives' they immediately thought of reaching out to McGraw to sing on it. Guitarist Phil Collen flew to Nashville to play it for McGraw, who loved it and recorded the song in Nashville shortly after.

The 11-track Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is Def Leppard's first album of brand new material since 2002's X and begins yet another remarkable new chapter in the band's 30-year recording career. Recorded last year during month-long stints at lead singer Joe Elliott's Dublin studio, the album's title refers to a backstage area called The Sparkle Lounge on Def Leppard's 2006 tour where the band would go to write songs.