Moving Ahead In The Action With . . . Lynne West
As more live sports return to ESPN platforms, meet some of the people working to deliver these events to fans
Front Row’s “Moving Ahead in the Action with…” series continues with the spotlight on longtime senior remote operations producer Lynne West.
A passionate boxing fan, West joined ESPN 25 years ago and has spent the past decade on boxing. Today, she is back at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to join Top Rank in preparation for their second series of live events in the bubble that starts with Eleider Alvarez versus Joe Smith Jr. (Saturday, 7:30 pm ET, ESPN+). She will remain inside that bubble for six weeks.
In July, Top Rank boxing was the first sport back live with ESPN crew on location. West was there from the start. She’s worked closely with Remote Ops producers Mike Krivens and Meg Messmer; senior manager ESPN Safety Fabian DeGarbo; and senior manager, Facility and Remote Event Security, Terry Keenan.
The telecasts integrated the five production sites– Las Vegas, Bristol,Conn., and three home studios.
“There are very few people in our business with the temperament, composure, and understanding that Lynne has, especially under these extraordinary circumstances,” said Brad Jacobs, COO, Top Rank. “When we started, this was an unprecedented undertaking, and the very first live production of ESPN’s. All I can say is that they picked the right person to lead the onsite challenge.”
West is ready for Top Rank bubble 2.0 this week, and for six more weeks of boxing in a safe environment.
“In the spirit of cooperation, no one exemplifies the leadership and communication skills such as Lynne,” said Bob Bennett, Executive Director, Nevada State Athletic Commission. “Her can-do attitude in rendering this special service is indicative of a professional who believes in ‘going the extra mile.'”
Top Rank on ESPN reporter Bernardo Osuna says of West: “Lynne is usually the first one in and the last one out. She is the glue that keeps it all together dealing with personnel issues, creating a culture of inclusion and making things comfortable for all of us, despite facing extremely challenging conditions.”
BIO BLAST
Name: Lynne West
Hometown/Residence: Jersey City, N.J./Cary, N.C.
Role/Dept./Years at ESPN: Senior operations producer/25 years at ESPN
Favorite Team: Growing up I was a Jets and Mets fan, these days I like the Eagles. I went to school at the University of South Carolina, but I would be lying if I did not say that I love to watch Clemson football.
The thing I’ve missed most about sports . . .: was the excitement. I like the entertainment aspect of the game, the frenzied crowd when a team takes the field or the ring walk with thunder and lights in the arena. If you want fireworks, I am your girl.
The ESPN game/studio personality I want to see back in action most …: is our boxing broadcast team — [play-by-play commentator] Joe Tessitore, [analysts] Tim Bradley, Andre Ward, Mark Kriegel and [reporter] Bernardo Osuna because –they just make it better.
