ESPN’s iconic This is SportsCenter campaign has been entertaining fans for decades, making its TV debut in 1995. Numerous athletes, from LeBron James and Tiger Woods to the United States Women’s National Soccer Team and more, have been featured in the spots over the years.
The list of SportsCenter anchors starring in the series is arguably just as impressive as the athletes. You have the late-great Stuart Scott, current anchors Scott Van Pelt, Steve Levy, Hannah Storm, Nicole Briscoe, Jay Harris, and even the soon-to-be-retired John Anderson.
Oh, and don’t forget the mascots.
Florida’s Albert the Gator – who returns to the series in the new TISC spot featuring 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm debuting today – The Oregon Duck, UCONN’s Jonathan the Husky, the list of costumed characters goes on and on.
But what goes on behind the cameras during a TISC shoot? How does a spot come to be?
ESPN Marketing developed a behind-the-scenes look at some of the more recent spots – please watch the video embedded above.
Then, in the videos embedded below, enjoy the new English and Spanish editions of the Rahm and Albert The Gator co-starring spot entitled “Hazard,” debuting as ESPN provides comprehensive coverage of the Masters this week from Augusta, Ga.
Levy and ESPN Deportes commentator and analyst John Sutcliffe also co-star with Rahm and Albert The Gator in the respective spots.
Front Row asked ESPN’s Vice President of Brand Marketing, Seth Ader, about the atmosphere at a shoot and more.
What is it like behind-the-scenes of a This is SportsCenter shoot?
It’s controlled chaos. With so many moving pieces — athletes, anchors, actors, mascots, agents, extras, family members, employees, production personnel — usually working in tight quarters, we’ve figured out how to be as efficient as possible. Having done over 400 of these spots, the production days have become well-oiled machines.
Why has This is SportsCenter been able to withstand the test of time?
Portraying ESPN as the center of the sports universe where athletes and anchors live and work side by side has created a seemingly never-ending canvas of slice-of-life scenarios. As sports evolve, stars emerge, and trends materialize, “This is SportsCenter” holds up a mirror to the sports world and taps into the zeitgeist of sports fandom.
For more on the new Rahm This is SportsCenter spots, visit ESPN Pressroom
-
-
-
-
