WNBA Finals Are Miked Up on ESPN
By: Brandon Costa, Associate Editor
Friday, September 30, 2011 - 1:17 pm

When the Atlanta Dream and Minnesota Lynx tip off Game 1 of the WNBA Finals (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), the mics will be hot.

Coaches and officials will be wearing live microphones during the action to help provide unique access to the court as the WNBA champion is crowned.

“The inside information we obtain from being part of the huddle provides the telecast with an opportunity to inform the viewer like no other sport,” says ESPN producer Mandy Cohen.

The insider audio is part of a greater initiative to help bring WNBA fans closer to the Finals, which begin Sunday and continue with all remaining games available on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com.

Thirteen cameras will be used throughout the Finals, including two above the rim and a roving floor camera that will give fans more access. The floor camera will provide a unique on-court view, mainly during free-throw attempts. An EStrator telestrator system, same as that used by the Monday Night Football crew, will be in place for color commentator Rebecca Lobo on-site and analyst Carolyn Peck in the studio.

A new open was created for the WNBA Finals on ESPN/ESPN2, featuring moments from the first 15 years of the Finals, as well as insights voiced by some of the top players in the league’s history, including Lisa Leslie and Sue Bird.

Pam Ward will call Game 1 with Lobo and reporter Heather Cox. Terry Gannon will take over play-by-play duties for the remainder of the five-game series, partnering with Lobo and Cox. In the studio, Cindy Brunson will host ESPN’s coverage with Peck.

Digital Offerings
ESPN.com and espnW will join forces to provide fans with live coverage and postgame analysis throughout the Finals. Lead contributor Mechelle Voepel, Michelle Smith, Joanne Gerstner, Pat Borzi, and Adena Andrews will supply the content. Multimedia initiatives including video features and interactive fan polls will also accompany regular game previews and an

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Speak your mind

Spam Protection by WP-SpamFree

Related Stories

  • May 15, 2012 -- ESPN, espnW, and ABC News Launch In the Game with Robin Roberts
  • May 15, 2012 -- ESPN, Twitter Team Up on Interactive Social Campaign
  • May 10, 2012 -- ACC Extends Rights with ESPN in Lucrative Deal
  • May 10, 2012 -- NCAA’s New Rights Agreement With ESPN Expands Coverage of Spring Championships
  • May 8, 2012 -- ESPN To Air Virtually Live World Series of Poker Main Event
    • Join SVG Today:
    SVG’s goal is simple: to bring the entire sports industry closer together so that it can more effectively share information about best practices and new technologies that impact the industry. Your SVG membership will enable you to benefit from our continued educational opportunities, valuable event discounts, as well as multiple print and online resources. Click here for details
    Home
    About SVG
    Advisory Board
    Membership
    Sponsorship
    Job Board
    Subscribe
    White Spaces
    Safety
    SVG-U
    Contact Us
    Become an SVG Sponsor:
    The SVG has a variety of sponsorship options to meet the outreach and marketing needs of virtually every sports industry organization. Find out more about our range of industry-supported activities, and discover how your company can support the sports video industry. Click here for details
    Join SVG Today!
    Become a Member
    Become a Sponsor
    Current Sponsors
    Contact Membership Services
    Contact Sponsorship Services
    © 2006 - 2012 Sports Video Group