In the latest episode of "SBJ Unpacks - Weathering COVID-19," our John Ourand is joined by ESPN VP/Production Seth Markman to discuss the network’s NFL Draft plans, as well as the innovation that ESPN is creating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On ESPN broadcasting their shows remotely:
Markman: Even from the beginning of the pandemic, we haven’t missed a beat. There is an amazing technology team at ESPN that deserves a lot credit for getting these cameras into announcers’ homes immediately and we were never knocked off the air.
On meeting with the NFL in Las Vegas to plan their coverage of the NFL Draft:
Markman: In none of those meetings did we really think that it was possible that this thing would not be in Vegas or where we are now. As you know, it just developed quickly. ... We’ve worked hand-in-hand with the NFL for sure as far as these contingency plans. Honestly, it was really not our decision. Once the NFL decided we’re going through with this thing, we’re going to produce it.
On broadcasting the NFL Draft remotely:
Markman: We know that we’re not going to throw a perfect game here. If you’ve watched TV over the last few weeks, you’ve seen people doing it from their basement ... (so) this is going to be a different experience and we think there’s going to be some intrigue to it as far as a lot of people are curious as to what this is going to look like.
On ESPN and NFL Network partnering to broadcast the draft:
Markman: The feeling was that with everything that’s going on right now, doesn’t it make the most sense from a safety standpoint and just to be realistic of the times right now to combine our efforts into one broadcast? Instead of going head-to-head ESPN versus NFL Network, putting a lot more work people at risk out there and having a lot more people working that don’t need to be working, the feeling from those folks was, ‘Why don’t we try to combine one broadcast,’ run really by ESPN. The NFL Draft is an enormous sense of pride for our company.
