MIAMI – A differentiating aspect of ESPN’s coverage of big sporting events is how it assembles a cast of savvy content creators from different disciplines and platforms on one team to serve sports fans.
This is no different in the company’s expansive coverage of the first match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona played outside of Spain since 1982, which culminates Saturday, July 29, with the live telecast of the match across ESPN, ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN2), the ESPN App, and ESPN Deportes Radio at 7:55 p.m. ET.
In this gallery, Front Row highlights some of the behind-the-camera faces of ESPN’s coverage of El Clásico Miami.
Santa Brito contributed to this post.
Paulo Silva – Production Coordinator
Silva has spent nine years at ESPN, but he is completing his first year as a soccer event production coordinator. He has worked on U.S. Men’s National Team matches including FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the MLS Rivalry Weekend.
What is your role for ESPN’s El Clásico Miami presentation?
I am responsible for all credentials, travel, talent schedule and coordination throughout the week. My colleagues Michael Nauman and Emmanuel Wallace (SportsCenter) and I oversee logistics for all the different ESPN entities and platforms creating English-language El Clasico Miami content.
Where does El Clásico Miami rank among events you’ve covered?
This is probably the biggest event I’ve done thus far because of how big it is and the coordination between ESPN departments – International, Spanish-language networks, SportsCenter on the Road, Talent office, ESPN FC, Digital platforms, the ESPN Mexico crew and the ESPN Argentina staff.
Paul Carr, senior researcher, ESPN Stats and Info Group
Carr is a nine-year ESPN soccer event veteran, having covered two FIFA World Cup tournaments (2010 and 2014), the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany, the UEFA European Championships, several MLS Cup finals and US Men’s National Team FIFA World Cup qualifying contests.
What is your role on ESPN’s El Clásico Miami presentation?
My job here is to pitch story ideas, answer questions and confirm information for talent and producers. I work with them to craft the rundown and write questions for guests, ensuring we’re covering relevant topics and telling the right stories around this game.
Lisa Stokes – Director, Talent Production
In nine years at ESPN, Stokes and her talent production team have turned the booking of newsmakers on ESPN shows into an art-form. She has covered Super Bowl weeks, College Football National Championships, Women’s Final Four, the Mayweather/Pacquiaco fight, NBA Finals, espnW summit, Humanitarian Awards, ESPYs and more.
What is your role on ESPN’s El Clásico Miami presentation?
I am the director of talent bookings and production. On site, I am responsible for booking and getting guests for our SportsCenter on the Road set with hosts Hannah Storm and Max Bretos, and for multiple shows here in Miami as well as getting guests for our in-the-field reporter Toni Collins.
Ivania Lorenzo – Event Integration Producer, ESPN Deportes and ESPN International
Lorenzo has been with ESPN for 14 years. A fan of Real Madrid and professional tennis, she has covered several Super Bowl weeks, UEFA Champions League Finals, Copa del Rey finals, and Wimbledon Tennis – one of her favorite events.
What is your role for ESPN’s El Clásico Miami presentation?
My role here is to produce certain segments, meaning I am responsible for content and also content integration with the live, and some of the taped, shows for ESPN Deportes and ESPN International networks. Also the content I create from here is shared across all ESPN Spanish-language platforms.
Where does El Clásico Miami rank among events you’ve covered?
It definitely fits in the top-five in my book. I am a Real Madrid fan. Though it is a friendly, still, it does not leave that edge of El Clasico matchup between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Chuck Simmons, Coordinating Producer II
Simons is a 23-year veteran of ESPN. In his time with the company, Simmons has covered numerous marquee events, including three FIFA World Cups, numerous UEFA Euro tournaments and 13 UEFA Champions League Finals.
What is your role for ESPN’s Clasico Miami presentation?
I am responsible for overseeing the Spanish language coverage of the game and ESPN FC. I think what makes this game interesting is how passionate fans in the USA are about these players, teams, and the rivalry.
Edgardo Mattei – Coordinating Producer
Mattie has been with ESPN for 14 years. His versatility has allowed him to cover a wide arrange of sports for ESPN Deportes and ESPN International, including winter baseball from the Dominican Republic and Mexico, European soccer, FIFA World Cup tournaments, Caribbean World Series, among others.
What is your role in ESPN’s Clasico Miami presentation?
As coordinating producer, I am responsible for producing all the shows for ESPN Deportes and ESPN International from Bayfront Park. As part of the Miami-based production team, I am excited to be covering this historic match from my home city.
Kalidia Reyes – Senior Talent Coordinator
Reyes has been with ESPN for 12 years and in her time with the company she has been responsible for coordinating ESPN Deportes and ESPN International’s commentator team for marquee events, including 2017 World Baseball Classic, three Super Bowls, and 2016 Summer Olympics.
What is your role in ESPN’s El Clásico Miami presentation?
I am responsible for coordinating the schedules and responsibilities for the ESPN Deportes and ESPN International talent team. El Clasico is the first major soccer event that I get to coordinate on site, being that it is an acclaimed match of one of the best rivalries in soccer and the first time the match is being played in the U.S.
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