More than Just Lines on a Map: Best Practices for U.S Bike Routes
ESPN: The Worldwide Leader in Sports?
1. David Weil ESPN: The World Wide Leader in Sports Fall 2010 James Scholar Project
2. Research Question How has ESPN’s media coverage affected sports over the last thirty years? Furthermore, have sports evolved as a result of ESPN or has the sports network evolved based on how today’s fans consume sports?
3. History of ESPN Founded in 1979 N0 24-hours news or music networks yet (CNN—1980, MTV—1981) Sign on show was rugged yet very exciting Available in 1.4 million homes in 1979 5x the amount of homes a year later
4. Programming Sportscenter Outside the Lines Cold Pizza Pardon the Interruption Original Dramas Playmakers Bronx is Burning 30 for 30 documentaries
5. On-air Personalities According to Don Skwar, the sports editor at the Boston Globe, “They bring so much to people before and after the event, plus analysis and in-depth stuff” Key Personality traits Affable Fun Knowledge of popular culture Entertaining Exciting
6. On-air Personalities Seminal Seventeen List of seventeen different themes or directions that a highlight might take such as the “Defense Wins Highlight” or “The History Highlight.”
7. Brand Equity “ESPN has turned sport into a utility” ESPN2 ESPNnews ESPN3.com ESPN Zone (Recently closed) ESPN Magazine ESPN on Xbox 360 Connect ESPN.com—Localized sites in Chicago, New York, Dallas, Boston
9. Why ESPN? Takes sports seriously but not so seriously Unique perspective on sports Combination of reverence for sports and irreverence for every convention that pertained to sports Consistent Credible journalism Awareness of popular culture
10. What Does the Future Hold Mobile Apps Live-streaming video iPad Xbox Connect ESPN 3D Social media based programming
