This weekend, ESPN Radio is taking its College Football Tailgate Tour to the heart of Austin, Texas, as part of the action-packed “ESPN Texas Takeover.” Fans of both college football and Formula 1 are in for a treat, with the city’s vibrant sports culture on full display from October 17-20.
ESPN is bringing together premier sporting events, including Week 8’s top-5 showdown between No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Georgia, along with the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The media company is creating a unique blend of football and F1 coverage, uniting sports enthusiasts in an unforgettable experience.
Kicking off the experience is ESPN Radio’s live Saturday broadcast from its new Airstream trailer setup. This custom-built mobile studio will immerse fans in the tailgating atmosphere while delivering exclusive insights and interviews from key college football personalities.
Ahead of the tour’s debut, we spoke with Megan Judge, Sr. Director of Audio Distribution & Marketing Integration, and Mike Urrunaga, Program Director at ESPN Radio, to discuss the innovative Airstream tour concept and what fans can expect from this thrilling on-the-road experience.
How did the idea come about to use an Airstream trailer?
Urrunaga: About six years ago, I remember meeting with Megan about the ESPN Radio College GameDay tour, which was ending after the 2018-19 season. She suggested that a mobile tour approach might help us get the show back on the road. With our new ad sales relationship with Good Karma Brands in place, we knew it was the right time to revive the idea. Good Karma secured five premier season-long sponsors, some of whom are first-time buyers of ESPN Audio.
How will the trailer be transported on the road?
Urrunaga: Our dedicated driver, Brett Hertan, will be driving across the country in a Ford F250 King Ranch, towing the 31-foot Airstream trailer. If you spot it on the road, take a pic and post it!
What's the trailer like inside?
Judge: We have a full broadcast desk that can accommodate four hosts, co-hosts or guests, along with two roving desks for a producer and an engineer. We can record radio shows, podcasts, and will be partnering with our tour sponsors — Monster Energy, GNC, ServPro, SiriusXM and Verizon — to sample products and distribute sponsor merchandise throughout the tour.
Is there a way for people to follow the Airstream throughout the season?
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