Moving Ahead In The Action With . . . Kim Bloomstone
As more live sports return to ESPN platforms, meet some of the people working behind the scenes to deliver these events to fans
(Photo: Kim Bloomstone/ESPN/Illustration: Emily Archacki)
EDITOR’S NOTE: As ESPN returns to live sports, Front Row will be featuring the diverse group of people working behind the scenes, whose jobs might be slightly different, but whose passion is stronger than ever. Tonight at 8 p.m. ET in Orlando, Fla., ESPN televises the first match in the “MLS is Back Tournament” featuring Orlando City SC vs. Inter Miami FC. Meet Kim Bloomstone, one of the people working to bring live sports back to fans.
For the past 10 weeks, remote operations manager Kim Bloomstone has been working around the clock preparing for the MLS is Back Tournament, which kicks off tonight at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
One of the most challenging projects in her 16 years with the company, Bloomstone has been working closely with internal ESPN teams and specialists on the ground in Orlando, as well as representatives from Disney and Major League Soccer, for more than two months. She has also coordinated plans with a multitude of third-party vendors to secure everything from aerial cameras and lighting to the mobile units that ESPN will utilize as the broadcast services provider of MLS’s World Cup-style tournament.
Bloomstone won’t be on-site in Florida herself – she has been working remotely from home in Connecticut since mid-March, but her work has been invaluable to ESPN’s operation. It’s also worth noting that Bloomstone has a similar role in ESPN’s Top Rank boxing coverage, helping to ensure that the company delivers a first-class boxing production, as well as soccer. Here’s more on Bloomstone.
BIO BLAST
Name: Kim Bloomstone
Hometown/Residence:: Originally from Corning, N.Y.; currently living in Newington, Conn.
Role/Dept./Years at ESPN: Remote Operations Manager (16 years at ESPN)
Favorite Team: Buffalo Bills
Favorite Athlete: Back in the day, Bills RB Thurman Thomas; currently QB Josh Allen
The thing I missed most about live sports was. . . : Knowing how happy it makes everyone and the camaraderie it creates among fans everywhere.
The ESPN game/studio personality I want to see back in action most is. . .: Our entire soccer announce team, as it will mean the MLS is Back Tournament has successfully gotten off the ground!
The person I can’t wait to see when I get back to my ESPN office is . . .: Every single person because working at home is overrated!
My favorite thing I watched on ESPN and ESPN+ since the middle of March was . . .: “The Last Dance”
PREVIEW THE MLS IS BACK TOURNAMENT’S START, ESPN’S INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION APPROACHES
ESPN’s Vice President, Production, Amy Rosenfeld spoke with the Philadelphia Inquirer this week, calling ESPN’s involvement in the MLS Is Back Tournament a “massive commitment.” Also, lead soccer analyst Taylor Twellman – who will call a majority of the tournament matches with Jon Champion – previewed the event today on the ESPN Daily podcast with Mina Kimes.
ESPN’s opening MLS Is Back matches include tonight’s Orlando City SC versus Inter Miami CF (8 p.m. ET, ESPN and ESPN Deportes) and NYC FC versus Philadelphia Union on Thursday morning (9 a.m., ESPN and ESPN Deportes).
In the video above, ESPNFC host Sebastian Salazar and ESPN multimedia reporter Stefano Fusaro discuss – among other things – the various MLS clubs’ preparations for the tournament and ESPN’s 20-camera production approach to match coverage.
– Bill Hofheimer
