ESPN plans to be in State College
THE STORYLINES have changed multiple times each day, which is to be expected in a situation like the ongoing sexual-abuse scandal at Penn State. For ESPN, which is broadcasting tomorrow's much-anticipated game between Penn State and Nebraska, the frequent turns have complicated their coverage plans and forced them to be flexible when trying to determine how to broadcast not just the game, but the drama associated with the event.
THE STORYLINES have changed multiple times each day, which is to be expected in a situation like the ongoing sexual-abuse scandal at Penn State. For ESPN, which is broadcasting tomorrow's much-anticipated game between Penn State and Nebraska, the frequent turns have complicated their coverage plans and forced them to be flexible when trying to determine how to broadcast not just the game, but the drama associated with the event.
"If I sort of detailed for you an absolute plan and tell you we have it absolutely planned out, I'd be lying to you," ESPN vice president of production Norby Williamson said in a podcast on the company's website. "And I wouldn't be doing my job, because you have to be very, very flexible and fluid in situations to be able to react to different things."
Williamson explained yesterday how the story has advanced from Tuesday to Thursday, so more can be expected in the ensuing hours. At one point on Wednesday, it appeared ESPN would be broadcasting Joe Paterno's final home game after 62 seasons at Penn State. By the end of the night, it turned out that the broadcast would be the first game of the post-Paterno era after 691 games as head coach.
Paterno's presence - or lack thereof - is expected to be the dominant storyline. For ESPN, which leads into the game with "SportsCenter" and "College GameDay," the entire morning will be heavy on Penn State coverage. They'll maintain multiple reporters on site, including Tom Rinaldi, who has broadcast live from State College throughout the week.
"Where will Paterno be? Will he be in the stadium? Will he not be in the stadium? Will he be at his house? Will he go someplace else?" Williamson said. "There are a lot of things that will come into focus in the next 48 hours as we got closer to the game . . . What will the morning of the game be? Coverage on SportsCenter in the morning, College GameDay leading into the game at 12 o'clock?"
Williamson also acknowledged that ESPN has a responsibility to broadcast the game. After all, it's Senior Day at Penn State and two top 25 teams are playing, with serious bowl implications on the line. Although that might not be the important topic now, there are fans who care about the outcome of the game.
"In no way do you ever want to equate a meaningless, insignificant football game to the human, just sort of horrific crimes that have allegedly taken place," Williamson said. "But if they're going to play the game, we have an obligation to cover the game, cover the football aspect of the game as well as the issues surrounding it."