Inside ESPN’s new MNF open

In mid-July, more than 20 current and legendary NFL players gathered in Cypress, Calif., outside Los Angeles to participate in a shoot for ESPN’s new Monday Night Football open.

ESPN’s new on-air team: Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters, which debuts Monday, Sept. 12, on the Pittsburgh Steelers-Washington Redskins (6:55 p.m. ET) – also participated in the filming.

Sponsored by GMC, the Hollywood-style open will lead into every Monday Night Football telecast this season. The red carpet arrival setting resembles a scene from the Entourage movie with fans and photographers (dozens of extras were present at the July production shoot) interacting with the NFL players and MNF commentators as they walk into a stadium.

The entire effort was coordinated by Michael “Spike” Szykowny, ESPN’s senior director of Motion Graphics, who spoke with Front Row about the process of creating ESPN’s new weekly show open.

(L-R) Derek Carr, Russell Wilson and Andy Dalton. (Chantre Camack/ESPN)

Von Miller (L) and Antonio Brown walk the red carpet in the new MNF open. (Scott Clarke/ESPN Images)

Larry Fitzgerald and Brandon Marshall in the new MNF open. (Scott Clarke/ESPN Images)

(L-R) Bruce Smith, Franco Harris and Jerry Rice (front row) and Eddie George (behind Smith) walk the red carpet. (Scott Clarke/ESPN Images)

(L-R) ESPN’s MNF crew of Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters in the new MNF open. (Scott Clarke/ESPN Images)

Ezekiel Elliott (L) and Jared Goff walk the red carpet in the MNF open. (Scott Clarke / ESPN Images)

Larry Fitzgerald poses for photos while filming the MNF open. (Scott Clarke / ESPN Images)

Josh Krulewitz and Jon McLeod produced the video.