NBC's coverage of the ‘10 Vancouver Games was the big winner at last night's Sports Emmy awards in N.Y. The event picked up five awards out of 12 nominations, and helped NBC and its properties win nine awards -- the most of any TV company for the night. The event won Emmys for best open/tease, best technical team studio and graphic design. ESPN's coverage of the FIFA World Cup also had 12 nominations, but won only three awards, including best live sports special. The World Cup's three Emmy wins equaled the haul taken in by CBS' coverage of Super Bowl XLIV, NBC's "Sunday Night Football" and HBO's "Hard Knocks." ESPN's "College GameDay" was the only other repeat winner, winning statues for best weekly studio show and best studio analyst (Kirk Herbstreit). The feel-good moment of the night was when NBC's NHL play-by-play Mike Emrick won his first Emmy. NBC's talent won three of the four available Emmys, including Cris Collinsworth as best sports event analyst and Bob Costas as best studio host. Costas' win also was based on his work with MLB Network. NBC's Al Michaels also was feted with the Lifetime Achievement award. ESPN's acclaimed “30 for 30” documentary series was shut out, with HBO's "Lombardi" winning best sports documentary. "Lombardi" beat out ESPN documentaries "The Two Escobars," "June 17, 1994" and "Robben Island: A Greater Goal." ESPN and HBO tied for second on the night, with seven Emmys each. CBS had six and Fox had three. Turner was nominated for seven awards and did not win any. Versus was nominated for one award and did not win.
SABOL NOT PRESENT, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Several award winners referenced NFL Films President Steve Sabol, who last month was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was not in attendance. NFL Films took away its biggest haul since ‘97, winning five Emmys, including three for "Hard Knocks," one for "Lombardi" and one for NFL Network's "Sound FX." ESPN Graphic Designer John Brenkus was the only winner to reference the death of Osama bin Laden, asking the crowd of TV execs for a round of applause "for bagging the bastard." Brenkus was accepting the best graphic design award for "Sport Science."
