Forward/Rewind: Revisiting funny ESPN moments in 2014
Editor’s Note: With this multi-week series — the Front Row Forward/Rewind, 2015/2014 — ESPN’s Communications Department takes the pulse of content executives and their properties throughout ESPN for views on what transpired in 2014 and a glimpse into 2015. It was a monster year for ESPN, with the success of the World Cup; the phenomenal launch of the SEC Network; the opening of Digital Center 2, the new home for SportsCenter and NFL Studio shows; and so much more. We can never encapsulate all the amazing things ESPN did this year, but the Forward/Rewind does its best to recognize the moments we’ll all remember.
1. ESPN Marketing and Ad Sales
Commentator Ian Darke’s 2014 FIFA World Cup spot:
2. Golf
Kevin Maguire, ESPN.com golf editor: “One of the best videos Michael Collins [ESPN.com senior golf analyst] did all year was the piece in which he got PGA Tour players to do their impersonations of Ivor Robson, the first tee announcer at the Open Championship.”
3. ESPN Audio
Senior Vice President, ESPN Audio, Morris Davenport discussed the #GolicButtPhoto in the “ESPN’s Biggest Social Moments” post:
“@MikeAndMike: Happy Holidays from @espngolic, @NDmom & the entire Golic Family! pic.twitter.com/eW40wHux83” Sell the shirts !!! #GolicButtPhoto
— Chris Arnette (@MisterArnette) December 18, 2014
4. NFL
Vice President, Production and MNF Producer, Jay Rothman: “[Sunday NFL Countdown contributor and comedian] Frank Caliendo attended our MNF Christmas party at [ESPN NFL analyst] Mike Ditka’s restaurant in Chicago.” Here’s a Vine of Caliendo – who provided laughs in a variety of ways in 2014 – as Ditka for an ESPN Sport Science segment:
5. ESPNU
Before you see who wins the Heisman Trophy as college football's best player, check out what our #LittleExperts said https://t.co/sferpijuGd
— ESPNU (@ESPNU) December 14, 2014
6. ESPN Brazil
ESPN’s coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil helped the ESPN Brasil network reach and hold the spot as the second most-watched pay TV network in Brazil during the event. The network’s talent thanked their fans with a version of Pharell Williams’ hit song “Happy.”
7. ESPN Latin America
San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginóbili visited ESPN’s Buenos Aires studios to film several “This is SportsCenter” commercials.
8. SportsCenter
Senior Vice President, SportsCenter and News, Rob King: “The infamous KFC Bucket Challenge night, in which anchor Scott Van Pelt dared John Buccigross to consume the whole thing before doing the 11 p.m. show.”
Dan Quinn, Ardi Dwornik, Gracie Blackburn, Bill Hofheimer, Allison Stoneberg, Mac Nwulu, Tara Chozet, Andy Hall, Ana Livia Coehlo and Amy Phillips contributed to this post
Next: Hashtags for 2015
