ESPN's Williamson Defends Big Brown-Centric Coverage Of Belmont
By John Ourand, Staff Writer
 |
ESPN Defends Big Brown-Focused
Coverage Of Belmont Stakes |
If he had to do it again, ESPN Exec VP/Studio & Remote Production Norby Williamson said he would not change anything with regard to the network’s production of the Belmont Stakes. ESPN/ABC had been criticized by some for devoting too much of its pre- and post-race coverage to Big Brown, the horse that was vying for a Triple Crown title but finished in last place on Saturday. “This story transcended the event,” Williamson said. “Before the race, the question everybody was asking was, ‘How about that horse.’ After the race, the question was ‘What happened?’” Williamson said that ESPN/ABC likely would have had more traditional post-race coverage if Big Brown had lost after running a full race, focusing more on the winner, Da’ Tara. But when Big Brown seemed to give up, finishing last, “we had an obligation, the way the race finished, to embrace and dissect the story of Big Brown and what happened,” he said. “The winner wasn’t going anywhere. We knew where he was going. But we didn’t know what happened.” Williamson said the decision to follow Big Brown made even more sense when you consider the Eight Belles tragedy at the Kentucky Derby. "I am very, very comfortable and pleased with how we set up and concluded the race."
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
Gruden Committed To Improving On "MNF"
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
NBC, Fox See Ratings Gains For NFL Week 10
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Ohlmeyer Addresses Steve Phillips Story
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
St. Peter's, Monmouth Benefit From ESPN
November 18, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
MSG Counting Down College BBall Moments
November 18, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
Churchill Downs Plans Six Night-Time Races
November 18, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
CDI Has Deal To Acquire Youbet.com
November 12, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Laurel Park, Pimlico Dates, Purses Flat
November 11, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Breeders' Cup Sees Attendance Gain In L.A.
November 9, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Breeders' Cup Expects Attendance Bump
November 6, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
