Producers for ESPN's "College GameDay" said that broadcasting Saturday's show from the Masters "will be a balance between a college football preview show and a mix of golf meets football," according to Richard Deitsch of THE ATHLETIC. Once ESPN got approval from Augusta National "to broadcast from the club, the conversations moved to where a set could be constructed." The club suggested where the par-3 tournament is normally held, and ESPN "sent operations and technical teams to Augusta and found a great spot on the ninth hole." The net has spent the past couple of weeks "getting Masters' memories from people in college football, and there are plans to run a feature on the relationship between Justin Thomas, the third-ranked player in the world, and Alabama coach Nick Saban." Other potential segments include CBS broadcaster Verne Lundquist, "given his college football connections and his long-time role as a Masters announcer," and ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt and golf analyst Andy North "popping on set." At the end of the show, there "will be some sort of Masters champion pick. (The guess here is that Lee Corso does it.)." ESPN Producer Jim Gaiero said, "It's going to be very similar to what we did in New York City as far as touching upon the location and the specialness about that location" (THEATHLETIC.com, 11/11).
SHOW ON THE ROAD: SBJ's Michael Smith notes ESPN has taken "College GameDay" to some unique settings over the years, but nothing like what the network will experience on Saturday. Octagon VP Matt Chelap, who works on activating Home Depot's longtime sponsorship of the program, said excitement was off the chart for those who will be on site for the first-of-its-kind pregame show from the par-3 course. Chelap said, “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because college football and The Masters will probably never align on the calendar like this again. It’s a little like going to New York and broadcasting from Times Square. It’s a celebration of college football” (Michael Smith, SBJ College).
