First Take - April 1, 2013

First Take

posted by on June 13, 2013 11:50 AM

espnW and U.S. State Department awarded Signature Spirit Accolade for Global Sports Mentorship Program

In 2012, espnW and the U.S. Department of State teamed to present the Global Sports Mentorship Program — an initiative created to sustain sports opportunities for under-served women and girls worldwide. It pairs women from around the world, ages 25-45 and identified as emerging leaders, with American executives in a sports-related field.

The result was a successful year and the mentorship program has been renewed. In addition, espnW and the State Department were recently recognized by Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) as part of the 2013 Signature Spirit Accolades. The Accolades, which “honor exceptional operators, programmers, and a civic entity that champion community and public service programs in support of women’s initiatives,” recognized espnW and the State Department as the “Signature Spirit” for their collaborative work on the mentorship program. continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, ESPN History, espnW

posted by on June 13, 2013 8:00 AM

ESPN’s Prim Siripipat is inspired at invitation-only Huffington Post conference

ESPN's Prim Siripipat (R) with Arianna Huffington.

ESPN’s Prim Siripipat (R) with Arianna Huffington.

You know things are going pretty well when a reception at Jon Bon Jovi’s lower Manhattan penthouse doesn’t top your list of the day’s experiences.

Last week, ESPN anchor Prim Siripipat didn’t need to live on any prayers, reality — just a few floors beneath Bon Jovi’s lair — was plenty good enough.

The day was highlighted by a conference hosted by Arianna Huffington — chair, president, and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post — dubbed “The Third Metric: Redefining Success Beyond Money & Power.” Its purpose: “Bringing together women — and a few good men — to focus on redefining success to include well-being, wisdom, our ability to wonder and our ability to make a difference in the world,” according to huffingtonpost.com. continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, ESPN.com, SportsCenter

posted by on June 12, 2013 4:20 PM

Lifelong Celtics fan now finds himself in the Heat of the moment with Miami highlights

Gavin Cote (Rich Arden / ESPN Images)

Gavin Cote (Rich Arden / ESPN Images)

“… and coach of the Miami Heat, former ESPN Content Associate, Gavin Cote.”

While you might never hear that introduction at an NBA arena, consider that Erik Spoelstra’s path to becoming Heat coach included four years as a video coordinator for the team, something Cote’s been doing since December — albeit while coordinating Heat video highlights for SportsCenter.

“I don’t think they’ll be calling,” Cote said. “Spoelstra’s doing a good job.”

So is Cote, who joined ESPN full-time a year ago this month after a summer production internship in 2011 prior to his senior year at Ithaca (N.Y.) College where he majored in Sport Media. Already responsible for Oklahoma City highlights, Cote got word this winter he was being re-assigned to Miami by Coordinating Producer Judson Burch. (Note: The Thunder, Lakers and Heat have designated production assistants while other NBA teams and game assignments rotate among the ESPN Production Assistants). continue reading…

Filed in: 2013 NBA Finals, Behind The Scenes, NBAOnESPN

posted by on June 12, 2013 1:25 PM

Front & Center: Steve Levy

SportsCenter anchor Steve Levy (Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)

SportsCenter anchor Steve Levy
(Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)


Anchors away. . . from the studio:

A week of major sporting events sees several familiar Bristol-based, ESPN faces – in addition to Levy – dotting the sports landscape for live reports, specials and updates.
The NBA Finals (Miami/San Antonio): Stuart Scott, Sage Steele
The U.S. Open (Ardmore, Pa.):
Chris Berman, Scott Van Pelt,
John Anderson, Trey Wingo*
World Cup qualifying (Tuesday, Seattle): Bob Ley
*On Tuesday, Wingo was in Foxborough, Mass. for Patriots mini-camp

Click HERE to listen or visit iTunes to download the podcast and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Front & Center podcast. Also, make sure to check out the ESPN Radio app, available for the iPad.

There is no place SportsCenter anchor Steve Levy would rather be tonight than Chicago. With Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final set for 8 p.m. ET, the Long Island, N.Y. native and fervent hockey fan is in his own Shangri-la.

Along with Barry Melrose, Levy will provide pre- and post-game news and analysis throughout the 2013 Cup Final on both gamedays and off-days.

“I think it’s imperative for SportsCenter anchors to get out from behind the desk from time to time,” said Levy, who is one of several SC anchors out in the field this week (see sidebar).

In the Front & Center podcast above, Levy discusses where his passion for hockey comes from; strategy for covering The Cup Final; characteristics shared by Melrose and ESPN’s Chris Berman; the depth of ESPN’s cross-platform coverage of the NHL; surprising things you might not know about Melrose; his upcoming 20-year anniversary with the company and his latest major motion picture acting roles.

Filed in: Front & Center, Podcast, Uncategorized

posted by on June 12, 2013 11:05 AM

U.S. Open run-up keeps ESPN golf analysts Andy North, Curtis Strange on the go

ARDMORE, Pa. — When you’re a two-time champion of the U.S. Open, and you work as a high-profile television golf analyst, chances are you’re going to be busy leading up to the annual renewal of the prestigious tournament. Such has been the case for Andy North and Curtis Strange, who this week are in the Philadelphia area for ESPN’s coverage of the 113th U.S. Open. ESPN’s telecasts of live play from Merion Golf Club begin Thursday at 9 a.m. ET.

Not only are North (on-course reporter) and Strange (hole announcer) working on the live telecasts, they’re also busy at Merion with analysis for SportsCenter, which is airing one-hour specials each day of the event as well as reports on the hour. North also is doing a daily program for ESPN.com and Strange is lending his expert analysis to ESPN Radio’s live broadcasts and to ESPN3’s daily coverage of a featured group and the 11th and 18th holes. continue reading…

Filed in: ESPN.com, GolfonESPN

posted by on June 12, 2013 8:00 AM

ESPN celebrates countdown to 2014 FIFA World Cup with wall detailing soccer history

Today marks 365 days until the start of one of the planet’s most anticipated sporting events: the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

In recognition of the one-year countdown, a team of about 20 employees from ESPN’s Facilities and Operations and Creative Services groups created a visual work of art that represents more than 80 years of the “beautiful game’s” history.

First conceptualized by Jed Drake, senior vice president of production, the World Cup Wall offers a timeline with photos beginning with the 1930 tournament in Uruguay. The images chronicle key moments, top players and the winning nations from each World Cup event.

The wall extends approximately 200 feet along a main walkway leading into the ESPN Café on the company’s Bristol, Conn., campus. continue reading…

Filed in: 2014 FIFA World Cup

posted by on June 11, 2013 4:24 PM

Warriors star Stephen Curry takes over @SportsCenter Twitter feed for NBA Finals Game 3 #StephCenter

For tonight anyway, the "SC" of SportsCenter will stand for Steph Curry

For tonight anyway, the “SC” of SportsCenter will stand for Steph Curry

He was a breakout star of the 2013 NBA Playoffs and more and more it appears as though Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is a social media stalwart as well.

Capitalizing on Curry’s proclivity for Tweeting and Vining, SportsCenter’s social feeds will hand over the keyboard to the four-year NBA veteran for tonight’s Game 3 of the NBA Finals (9 p.m. ET, ABC). The hashtag to use to be part of the conversation is: #StephCenter.

“I’m doing this with SportsCenter as a fan of basketball to engage the nation and enjoy some good basketball,” Curry said. “The fans can expect a lot of fun, creativity, and an inside look at how I see the game.”

continue reading…

Filed in: 2013 NBA Finals, NBAOnESPN, SportsCenter

posted by on June 11, 2013 12:00 PM

What Dick Vitale means to us

Editors’ Note: Monday night, ESPN’s Dick Vitale was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in Salisbury, N.C. ESPN Executive Chairman George Bodenheimer introduced Vitale for this prestigious award. Below are excerpts from that introduction.

It’s a great honor to introduce a living legend. Dick Vitale is a colleague but we are also friends who have a long history together. We first met at ESPN 32 years ago. I was starting as a driver and Dick was still a relatively new TV commentator . . . Our relationship has progressed from there and we’ve been great friends ever since.

In terms of his on-air skills, Dick has a special gift. He makes games bigger by his very presence. His energy, passion and love for the game are unrivaled. His vocabulary — as crazy as it may sound at times —  has become our vocabulary. The sports fans’ vocabulary. . . Vitale-isms have invaded our thoughts and we simply don’t know a sports world without them. continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes

posted by on June 11, 2013 8:00 AM

Kevin Love reviews his guest role on Mike & Mike; Wednesday, former coach Doug Collins steps to the mic

Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Love joined Mike & Mike last week as part of ESPN’s coverage of the NBA Finals. On June 6, Love helped co-hosts Mike Golic and Ryan Ruocco — who was filling in for Mike Greenberg — preview Game 1 of the Heat-Spurs series.

In the video above, Love reflected on his rookie debut on ESPN Radio. He had the unique experience of interviewing his new boss Flip Saunders live on the national airwaves. Saunders is the Timberwolves’ new general manager and was recently an NBA analyst for ESPN.

Mike & Mike welcome more NBA star power Wednesday morning when Doug Collins joins the crew. They’ll review tonight’s Game 3 NBA Finals duel between the Heat and the host Spurs airing on ABC, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio, ESPN3 and WatchESPN (8:30 p.m. ET, NBA KIA Countdown; 9 p.m. game).

“I’m excited to talk about the game I love with two guys I respect greatly,” said Collins, most recently coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. “It’s the best time of the year . . . [with] the NBA Finals, Draft and free agency.”

Video produced by Tonya Malinowski

Filed in: 2013 NBA Finals, ESPN Radio, NBAOnESPN

posted by on June 10, 2013 4:01 PM

ESPN Deportes Radio marcha en el Desfile Nacional Puertorriqueño de Nueva York

El domingo, ESPN Deportes Radio NY 1050 AM participó en el Desfile Nacional Puertorriqueño de Nueva York, uno de los eventos culturales más populares en el país que celebra el patrimonio puertorriqueño. La carroza deportiva cruzó toda la ruta del desfile por la 5ta avenida desde la calle 44 hasta la 79 junto al ex Campeón WBA de Peso Mediano Ligero Miguel Cotto, y los comentaristas de ESPN Deportes Radio, quienes saludaron a los fans durante la trayectoria.

El evento fue una oportunidad especial para ESPN Deportes Radio de conectar con los hispanos neoyorquinos en celebración a su cultura. continue reading…

Filed in: ESPN Deportes



ESPN to make Rio’s Clube dos Marimbás its home during 2014 FIFA World Cup

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