COLUMBUS, Ohio — Soccer fans everywhere will be focused on Columbus Crew Stadium tonight as the U.S. Men’s National team takes on the Mexican National team in a World Cup qualifying match (8 p.m. ET, ESPN, WatchESPN, ESPN Deportes Radio). What they won’t see is the months of planning and preparation that has gone into this leg of ESPN’s “road-to-Brazil” television production.
“Not only is this an important game for the U.S. men’s national team, it’s also a huge game for ESPN,” said Terri Dippolito, manager, Remote Operations. “At least six months of planning and preparation have gone into this production – from staff, to cameras, to the best sound-quality available. The atmosphere in the stadium will be unmatched; however, through our production, we will bring fans an incredible experience for those tuning in.”
Here’s a look at what the Remote Operations team – the crew responsible for all on-site logistical elements that go into producing an event of this scope — uses to mount ESPN’s production of tonight’s match:
• 3 sets – Host field set, ESPN FC and International/ESPN Deportes
• 11 English-language on-air commentators
• 6 Spanish-language commentators
• 220 credentialed ESPN staff and crew
• 32 cameras
• 26 field effect microphones
• 18 broadcast microphones
• 11,000 feet of video cable and more than 8,000 feet of audio cable (throughout the compound, parking lot and stadium)
• 7 mobile units; which includes two office trailers
• 3 days of on-site set up and preparation
• 1 Direct TV Blimp, providing ESPN’s exclusive overhead aerial footage
