02/11/26 09:59:00
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02/11 09:58 CST ESPN's 'Year of the Super Bowl' will make the NFL title game a
year-round experience
ESPN's 'Year of the Super Bowl' will make the NFL title game a year-round
experience
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
ESPN is planning on making the Super Bowl a year-around experience instead of
just one day.
The network --- which will carry the Super Bowl for the first time --- on
Wednesday unveiled its plans leading up to next year's NFL title game in Los
Angeles.
At the forefront of the promotion is "Year of the Super Bowl," which will see
extensive promotion and programming across ESPN, ABC and Disney stations.
"I never thought I'd have the opportunity to work on an ESPN Super Bowl, and I
know so many of my colleagues who have been here as long as I have or even
longer would say the same thing," said Andy Tennant, ESPN's vice president of
Super Bowl planning. "We're the first 24/7 sports network to ever be a rights
holder to broadcast the Super Bowl. We see that not only as an opportunity, but
we see it as a responsibility."
The cross-company initiatives throughout ESPN and the Walt Disney Company began
Sunday night with "The Handoff," as Chris Berman anchored the coverage from
Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara, California, before going to Scott Van Pelt, who
did a 90-minute Super Bowl wrap-up from SoFi Stadium, which will host its
second Super Bowl on Feb. 14, 2027.
ESPN, ABC and other Disney networks also have aired "We're Going," a 60-second
spot featuring Disney characters along with personalities from ESPN and ABC.
Other content includes "I Scored a Touchdown," which will spotlight 61 players
who have scored in the biggest game of the year. The series kicked off Sunday
and featured New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree.
"The Biggest Game" podcast hosted by Jeremy Schaap also premiered this week.
The first episode featured Berman, who has covered 44 consecutive Super Bowls.
New episodes will air weekly closer to the NFL draft in April.
Other content and marketing campaigns will debut throughout the offseason.
"This fan-focused initiative unites our company's beloved brands with
industry-leading storytelling and technology to showcase football's greatest
stories, heroes, and moments like never before," ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro
said. "Across our platforms, screens, and parks, we'll build momentum
throughout the year toward Super Bowl 61 --- a monumental event for sports fans
everywhere and for ESPN."
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