SVG Summit:CONNECT Preview — 2020 Conversations Go Inside MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, Golf, Motorsports Seasons
Story Highlights
The 2020 year in sports production has truly been a year like no other. Every single U.S. sports league was shut down by the pandemic and forced to find a way to resume play — safely and so that fans could still watch on television (if not in person). Over the past nine months, these leagues have overcome monumental obstacles to bring live sports back along with live broadcasts to serve their fans. With that in mind, the SVG Summit:CONNECT will feature a series of 2020 Conversations focused on the efforts of MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, the PGA and golf majors, and motorsports. Don’t miss out on these one-of-a-kind behind-the-scenes looks at how sports came back.
Check out of the full agenda (all times ET) for the SVG Summit:CONNECT 2020 Conversations below. If you have not registered for the Summit, please click here. To check out all the sessions, click here.
Day 1: Monday, Dec. 14
11:30 a.m. – noon: THE CONVERSATION: Inside the NBA 2020
Those involved with getting the NBA back in action discuss the production workflows, health and safety protocols, technology innovation, and more during this lively 30-minute live session.
Moderator: Steve Hellmuth, NBA Entertainment, EVP, Media Operations and Technology
Panelists:
Chris Brown, Turner Sports, VP, Operations and Technology
Tim Corrigan, ESPN, Senior Coordinating Producer
Eddie Okuno, ESPN, Senior Remote Operations Specialist; ABC, NBA on ESPN
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.: THE CONVERSATION: Inside the NHL 2020
The NHL headed north to Canada to complete the 2020 schedule, and the effort involved two arenas, numerous production entities, and more. Go inside one of the more unusual “bubble” productions with executives involved with the project.
Moderator: Brandon Costa, SVG, Director of Digital
Panelists:
Ivan Gottesfeld, NHL, EVP, Broadcasting
Steve Mayer, NHL, Senior EVP and Chief Content Officer
Dan O’Neill, NHL, VP, Arena and Event Operations
Day 2: Tuesday, Dec. 15
11:30 a.m. – noon: THE CONVERSATION: Inside the MLB 2020
The 2020 MLB season resulted in a unique playoff format, rule changes that might stick for next year, and new workflows designed to make productions safer and better. Leaders from MLB Network, rightsholders, and teams discuss their efforts and the lasting impact on MLB production.
Moderator: Susan Stone, MLB Network, SVP, Operations and Engineering
Panelists:
Daniel Blanchard, MLB, Senior Director, Media Technology
Jason Hedgcock, MLB Network, Director, Remote Technical Operations
Chris Pfeiffer, MLB Network, Senior Coordinating Producer, Live Events
Jacob Soto, MLB Network, VP, Engineering and IT
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.: THE CONVERSATION: Inside the NFL 2020
The NFL is in the midst of its 2020 season, but the league also was one of the first out of the chute in terms of remote workflows for the 2020 NFL Draft in April. Join us to learn about those workflows, the current season of coverage, and a sneak peek at Super Bowl plans and how things might change for the big game.
Moderator: Jason Dachman, SVG, Chief Editor
Panelists:
Onnie Bose, NFL, VP, Broadcasting
Bruce Goldfeder, NFL Media, VP, Engineering
Dave Shaw, NFL Media, VP, Head of Media Operations
Day 3: Wednesday, Dec. 16
11:30 a.m. – noon: THE CONVERSATION: Inside PGA and the Majors 2020
Professional-golf coverage was one of the big success stories for 2020 during the pandemic, especially considering the amount of travel required and the size and scale of each production. Learn how the golf majors and the PGA coverage evolved during the season, lessons learned, and more.
Moderator: Ken Kerschbaumer, SVG, Executive Director, Editorial
Panelists:
David Dukes, PGA TOUR Entertainment, Senior Director, Technical Operations
Mike Francis, CBS Sports, VP, Remote Engineering
Kevin Landy, USGA, Senior Director, Broadcasting and Production
Michael Raimondo, PGA TOUR Entertainment, Senior Director, Media Asset Management and Broadcast Innovation
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.: THE CONVERSATION: Inside Auto Racing 2020
Whether it is NHRA, NASCAR, or IndyCar, U.S. auto racing returned to the track and managed to prove that remote production can keep up with high-performance race cars zipping around a track. Production professionals from those three entities join us to discuss the 2020 season, how they got through it, and how innovation played a key role in making it happen.
Moderator: Kristian Hernandez, SVG, Associate Editor and Social Media Manager
Panelists:
Ken Ferguson, IMS Productions, Director, Broadcast Operations
Steve Reintjes, NHRA, VP, Broadcasting, and Show Producer, NHRA on Fox
Steve Stum, NASCAR, VP, Operations and Technical Production