ESPNESPN FilmsESPN PodcastsFront & Center

Front & Center: Kevin Connolly on making his upcoming 30 for 30 film Big Shot

(L-R) Connor Schell, Mark Ciardi, Kevin Connolly, Jane Rosenthal and ESPN president John Skipper during the ESPN Films Big Shot Premiere. (Lorenzo Bevilaqua/ESPN Images)
Last spring at the Tribeca Film Festival, director Kevin Connolly (center) joined(l-r) ESPN Films VP Connor Schell, film producers Mark Ciardi and Jane Rosenthal and ESPN president John Skipper during the Big Shot Premiere.
(Lorenzo Bevilaqua/ESPN Images)

Click HERE to listen or visit iTunes to download the podcast and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Front & Center podcast. Also, make sure to check out the ESPN Radio app, available for the iPad.

LOS ANGELES — Actor Kevin Connolly is counting down the days to the premiere of his labor of love as a film director, Big Shot.

“October 22 is the date,” Connolly said regarding the slated debut of his ESPN 30 for 30 documentary. “I’m very excited to know when I can tell all my friends and family when to tune in.”

One of the stars of HBO’s Entourage and a lifelong hockey fan, Connolly also narrates the film, which details the 1996 purchase of his beloved New York Islanders by a businessman named John Spano. The $165 million deal eventually fell apart, and Big Shot provides not only the inside details but the first interview Spano has given on the subject.

Connolly joined Vice President of ESPN Films Connor Schell at the Television Critics Association’s summer tour on Wednesday. Connolly and Schell were joined on the panel by Brian Koppelman and David Levien, the co-directors of the upcoming film on Jimmy Connors titled This is What They Want. The 30 for 30 series returns to ESPN for six consecutive Tuesdays beginning Oct. 1.

In the Front & Center podcast above, Connolly discusses why he wanted to direct a 30 for 30 film and on this topic in particular; what challenges were involved in getting the cooperation of key subjects; his hopes for the Islanders next season; why he loves This Is SportsCenter spots and more.

Back to top button