Sheldon Spencer

Editor@espnfrontrow

Michael Jeffrey Jordan and I were born about 366 days and 400 miles apart years ago in New York state. Each of us eventually moved to the Carolinas. Each failed to make the cut for a prep team once. Then our paths diverged somewhat. Perhaps you’re familiar with his story.

Here’s the short version on me: My love of journalism has taken me to sports writing jobs with the Tacoma News Tribune, the National Sports Daily, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and San Jose Mercury News. I’ve enjoyed an 11-year run with ESPN, including the last four seasons on ESPN.com’s NFL desk.

I’ve had chances to interview the likes of Jordan, Mike Tyson after a car chase (long story), Tom Brady, Ryan Leaf, boomerang throwers, one-armed stock-car drivers, and Rose Bowl trophy thieves.
I hope to see a day when every issue of The National Sports Daily is readable on a tablet, the Lombardi Trophy returns to Oakland, and Hollywood films a sequel to “The Long Kiss Goodnight.”

I’ve flown upside down at the speed of sound and stood at the foot of a bleeding volcano, experiences that might prove useful as I help launch ESPN Front Row. Come along for the ride.

Recent Posts

posted by on June 11, 2013 3:51 PM

First Take In San Antonio before NBA Finals Game 3

Filed in: Captured on Campus

posted by on June 3, 2013 4:45 PM

Retiring NBA stars Jason Kidd and Grant Hill both part of This Is SportsCenter’s distinguished list of ‘co-workers’

They came into the league together, they are leaving at the same time and they both share acting credits in a signature ESPN ad campaign.

Jason Kidd and Grant Hill were co-winners of the 1994-95 NBA Rookie Of The Year award.

Now, nearly 20 years later, they are again linked as both have announced retirements over the past few days. The duo will forever be linked in another way: both have had roles in ESPN’s This Is SportsCenter catalog of commercials.

One of the NBA’s best playmakers, Kidd announced his retirement today. Saturday, Hill retired after a 19-year NBA career.

In the debut spot of the long-running This Is SportsCenter spot (above), Kidd (then with the Mavericks) and boxing great Roy Jones Jr. affer cameos as anchor Bob Ley provides a 30-second tour of ESPN’s studios, circa 1995. (Kidd may be harder to spot, but keep watching, you’ll see him.)

Hill’s TISC moment of fame came as a piano player in a memorable spot (below).

Created in 1995 with advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy, ESPN’s This is SportsCenter is a tongue-in-cheek campaign that transcends mere tune-in, and in the process helped build a programming franchise, crystallize a brand, and define a place where, each night, sports and popular culture converge.

Filed in: ESPN History, SportsCenter

posted by on May 29, 2013 8:00 AM

‘Voice of the SEC’ Paul Finebaum says joining ESPN was ‘easiest decision’ of his career

“The Voice Of The SEC,” Paul Finebaum visited ESPN’s Bristol, Conn. headquarters last week for the “Car Wash” treatment as an introduction to his new roles with the network.

Long regarded as an authority on all things Southeastern Conference-related, the popular sports talk show host joins ESPN beginning this August with a daily radio program. In August 2014, when the SEC Network launches, a television simulcast of Finebaum’s radio show will air afternoons. continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, ESPN Radio

posted by on May 21, 2013 12:00 PM

Former Kentucky basketball star Nerlens Noel visits ESPN campus before NBA Draft Lottery

Nerlens Noel turned 19 years old in April. To our knowledge, ESPN’s cameras were not present at his birthday party. But ESPN has chronicled many milestone moments in the former University of Kentucky basketball star’s development.

In April 2012, ESPN aired his head-turning commitment to the Wildcats; in October, ESPN captured his first collegiate practices; in February 2013, the 6-foot, 10-inch shot blocker suffered a season-ending injury in a game airing on ESPN’s platforms. The next significant step in Noel’s career happens tonight on ESPN when the NBA conducts the 2013 Draft Lottery (coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on KIA NBA Countdown) before Game 2 of the San Antonio Spurs-Memphis Grizzlies Western Conference Finals duel. continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, NBAOnESPN

posted by on May 20, 2013 4:05 PM

ESPN Indy 500 promo takes viewers from 1911 vintage footage to present-day racing thrills

The latest Indy 500 promo (above) produced by ESPN Sports Marketing is a stirring 30-second trip through 100 years of thrills the iconic event has provided. The spot features vintage footage — supplied by IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway — dating back to 1911. The promo, which began airing last week, has inspired sports fans anticipating Sunday’s Indy 500 (ABC, pre-race coverage beginning at 11 a.m. ET, green flag at 12:15 p.m.).

“The campaign has been well-received by both internal stakeholders at ESPN as well as our league partners at IndyCar,” said Andrew Barge, associate manager, ESPN Sports Marketing. “In addition, the social conversation around the spot has been very positive.”

To wit:


continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, ESPNonABC, Indy 500

posted by on April 22, 2013 3:44 PM

Meet the people working behind the scenes of X Games Foz

The inaugural X Games Foz Do Iguaçu concluded Sunday in Brazil.

Over the course of four days, ESPN transmitted nearly 30 hours of X Games content from the scenic venue adjacent to 200-foot waterfalls.

The videos above and below introduce you to some of the hundreds of people working primarily behind the scenes to bring ESPN’s action sports franchise to its new Brazilian location.

Jed Drake, Senior Vice President and Executive Producer, Production, said of the telecasts from Foz: “This is a modern marvel. We’re kind of used to doing big, risky, cool, different things — otherwise known as the X Games – but this one is redefining it.

“It’s an incredible testament to the people who are working on it, because not only are we doing this now, but we’re doing it in the middle of a six-event, X Games schedule.”

Barcelona, Spain is home to the fourth leg of Global X, May 16-19. Munich, Germany hosts June 27-30, and Los Angeles welcomes X Games Aug. 1-4.

Videos produced by Dave Williams.

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, X Games 2013

posted by on April 18, 2013 4:01 PM

Skateboarding legend, ESPN analyst Tony Hawk reflects on X Games’ growth and excitement for Foz

Two years ago, ESPN announced its plans to have six annual X Games events — including three in new international venues. When he first heard of the Global X concept, skateboard legend and X Games analyst Tony Hawk admitted he was taken aback.

“To do an event of that magnitude six times a year is huge,” he told Front Row at the time. “It really says a lot about how much ESPN believes in our sports, and how well respected the athletes are.” continue reading…

Filed in: ESPN History, X Games 2013

posted by on April 8, 2013 3:56 PM

Tony Reali provides the scoop on Around The Horn intro tribute to Game Of Thrones

Around The Horn often provides a window into pop culture beyond its focus on sports discussion and debate.

Witness the creative way ATH celebrated 10 years on the air in 2012 with Beatles-inspired opening artwork. Host Tony Reali also once famously recreated the memorable Copacabana scene from Goodfellas.

“We love to acknowledge the shows we love,” Reali said.

Reali and the ATH crew were showing the love again on Friday, March 29 when they paid tribute to the third season debut of HBO’s popular Game Of Thrones series. As seen in the video above – which took about eight weeks from concept to completion – the show’s panelists and Reali own keys to the kingdom in what they affectionately dubbed Game Of Horns. Reali discussed the show’s latest creative effort with Front Row. continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes

posted by on February 27, 2013 9:23 AM

Daytona 500 champ Jimmie Johnson on being Bob Dylan, ESPN’s Greatest Athlete and his ‘Harlem Shake’

In late January, NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson walked the streets of New York for an ESPN The Magazine “Music Issue” photo shoot paying tribute to iconic album covers.

Sunday afternoon in Florida, the five-time Sprint Cup champion scored his second career Daytona 500 victory.

Less than 24 hours later in Connecticut, he navigated the familiar hallways of ESPN’s Bristol headquarters for a “Car Wash” (appearances across ESPN) befitting the latest driver to tame Daytona International Speedway. continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes

posted by on February 26, 2013 10:07 AM

ESPN and The V Foundation align with NBA Cares, St. Jude in fight against pediatric cancer

ESPN, The V Foundation for Cancer Research, the NBA and St. Jude Children Research Hospital are deploying a full-court press against pediatric cancer.

The alliance is aimed at raising awareness and funds to support research to save children’s lives. Hoops for St. Jude ambassadors and ESPN commentators will engage fans over the air through March 4, the 20th anniversary of The V Foundation.

ESPN’s Kevin Martinez. (Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)

One hundred percent of donations to The V Foundation from this campaign will go directly towards cancer research benefitting St. Jude patients.

Front Row asked ESPN’s Vice President of Corporate Outreach, Kevin Martinez, for insights into this campaign.

How did ESPN become involved in this project?
For years, the NBA and ESPN have been looking for ways to work together under the NBA Cares banner. Both organizations have a great passion and commitment to help find a cure for cancer as its impact has touched us all personally. NBA Cares has worked closely with teams, coaches, players and St. Jude Hospital. The V Foundation has raised over $100 million to get at the heart of beating cancer — funding research for all cancers. Together they have made incredible progress in raising awareness and funds to find treatments for pediatric cancer.

Two years ago, Rosa Gatti, ESPN’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Outreach, began conversations with NBA Cares. Through these conversations, The V Foundation’s world class scientific review committee selected St. Jude Hospital for research grants totaling more than $2 million, and these targeted grants were realizing significant success in the remission of two types of pediatric cancers.

As in all great collaboration stories, a common purpose, great vision and leadership willing to take risk to innovate began the realization of two of the most well-known nonprofit cancer research organizations working together towards one shared belief: We need to battle cancer with research, not just words, and win.

How can fans get involved? continue reading…

Filed in: Announcements