SPORTS Assignment editor: Dan Ruthemeyer 360-416-2143 / [email protected] ESPN, NFL Network set to tackle challenges of remote draft By JOE REEDY ESPN and NFL Network will to allow them to appear on the round picks from his home in from their homes. AP Sports Writer air a combined broadcast all three broadcasts. Bronxville, New York. ESPN also has nine reporters days. It will now originate from Quenzel said the league has Markman said there are nor- monitoring teams throughout The NFL draft is annually one ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, set up three call centers to handle mally 15 people in the control the three days, including Adam of the most ambitious produc- Connecticut, but most of the the various feeds: one for the room at one time during the Schefter and Chris Mortensen. tions that ESPN does. Next week’s reporters and analysts will be at prospects, one for coaches and draft, but it will be limited to NFL Network’s crew includes coverage might go down as THE their homes. team executives, and another for seven. They will also use two con- host Rich Eisen, who has been a most ambitious in the network’s Mark Quenzel, NFL Network’s fans. The league has also reached trol rooms so that everyone has part of all 17 drafts the network 40-year history. senior vice president of program- out to various wireless providers a dedicated area and adheres to has done, along with analysts With the NFL closing team ming and production, said the to make sure there is extra band- social distancing guidelines. Daniel Jeremiah, Michael Irvin complexes and canceling plans two networks had been in discus- width over the three days so that Those in the control room will and Kurt Warner. to hold the draft in Las Vegas, sions about a joint production the grid isn’t overloaded. also wear masks, which could be ABC will air a separate draft this year’s event is shaping up as once it appeared that the draft Because fans are a unique part an extra challenge for producers broadcast on Thursday and a logistical challenge. ESPN vice wouldn’t take place in Las Vegas. of the draft experience, ESPN and directors trying to commu- Friday nights for the second president of production Seth With everyone spread out, the has reached out via social media nicate. straight year before simulcast- Markman says there are usually biggest challenge will be making to get fan videos previewing the ESPN’s Trey Wingo and Suzy ing the ESPN/NFL Network feed 10 remote locations during the sure there aren’t any technical dif- draft. There’s no word yet whether Kolber will be the only ones in on Saturday. Rece Davis, Jesse first round. On Thursday night, ficulties. Reporters have been able fans booing commissioner Roger the studio for the ESPN-NFL Net- Palmer and Maria Taylor will host there might be as many as 180. to get on air from home for nearly Goodell before each pick will be work telecast. Mel Kiper Jr., who the coverage from Bristol, with “We do enjoy challenges,” he a month, while draft prospects, piped in to make it feel like an will be with ESPN for his 37th analysis from Todd McShay, Kirk said. “We will make it happen, but coaches and general managers authentic draft. draft, Louis Riddick and Booger Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and it is damn complicated.” received kits from the league Goodell will introduce first- McFarland will provide analysis David Pollack. COMMENTARY ‘THE BIG DANCE’ Despite G League, Story of Michael Jordan and the 1997-98 Bulls started with a simple idea By TIM REYNOLDS college hoops will AP Basketball Writer The year was 1997. Andy Thomp- continue to thrive son had an idea. Adam Silver liked his plan. By MATT CALKINS teammates, R.J. Barrett Neither had any clue what they The Seattle Times and Cam Reddish. concocted. But after dazzling the The ESPN and Netflix documen- Rumor has it that nation, he skyrocketed to tary “The Last Dance” — the story college basketball is in the top of the draft board based around Michael Jordan and trouble. I heard this from and signed a $75 mil- the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls — pre- Stephen A. Smith on lion shoe deal with Nike. mieres tonight with the first two ESPN. I read about it on There’s little chance he episodes of the 10-part series. And NBC Sports,. would have gotten any- the images from that season exist Just Google the name where close to that kind because of the notion that Thomp- Jalen Green, and you’ll of endorsement cash if he son had and Silver, now the NBA surely be shown a story played in the G League or commissioner but then the person hinting at NCAA hoops’ overseas. Younger players in charge of NBA Entertainment, inevitable decline. have to be aware of that. helped arrange. I respect these opinions. Another reason is the Thompson, who already had been Perhaps they’re correct. chance to play in the working at NBA Entertainment for But I don’t know — I NCAA Tournament. about a decade, suggested embed- think the college game is There really isn’t a pro ding a crew with the Bulls. Silver going to be just fine. equivalent to that. For- made some phone calls. They were Green made news mer Washington forward off and running. earlier in the week when Quincy Pondexter spent “It’s almost hard to understate he announced that he seven seasons in the NBA, how famous Michael was and how is going to bypass the but says his senior year popular this Bulls team was,” Silver NCAA and sign with the with the Huskies was the told The Associated Press. “And so, G League, a development best year of his life. Andy’s view was, ‘We need to find a league for the NBA. A Another is that the top way to capture this team in its glory.’ projected top-three pick prospects usually have And there were no such things as in 2021, Green reportedly insurance to guard against multipart documentaries on sports signed a contract in the injury. on television back then.” range of $500,000. The Williamson, for But there had been some exam- NBA also will pay Green’s instance, reportedly had ples of the storytelling that Thomp- tuition should he decide a policy that would have son — the brother of former NBA AP FILE to go back to school. paid him $8 million if player Mychal Thompson, the uncle Seem like a good deal? he slid past the 16th pick of Golden State Warriors guard Klay Michael Jordan reaches high above Bulls teammates Dennis Rodman Well, it’s certainly a safe in the draft. As the No. Thompson — was pitching to Silver. (left), Scottie Pippen (middle) and Scott Burrell for a rebound against one. 1 pick, he is guaranteed Specifically, Thompson was moved the Utah Jazz in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 10, 1998, in Chicago. Green is now guaran- more than $25 million for by the tale of the 1986-87 Edmonton teed a half-million dollars his first three years. So Oilers, a video called “The Boys On Michael and I connected,” Andy trick; if cigar smoke was in the air, it and the option of a free while a few hundred thou- The Bus,” which chronicled a season Thompson said. meant Jordan was nearby. The crew education regardless of sand dollars is a nice way with Wayne Gretzky and the even- Silver approached Bulls owner captured him one day in the locker what happens next. He to instantly boost one’s tual Stanley Cup champions. Jerry Reinsdorf first, then had to room, cigar in his mouth, baseball can blow out both knees, bank account, the elite “No one in the NBA had ever convince then-coach Phil Jackson bat in his hand. Another interview perform valleys below his players will generally see a done this,” Andy Thompson said. — who also agreed, albeit with some that Thompson won’t forget is one hype, or decide that all he payout regardless of where “And you’re not just doing this with conditions that if he didn’t want the with guard Steve Kerr, who escaped really wants to do in life is they end up in the draft. a run-of-the-mill NBA team. You’re crew around at certain times they to the shower area and was seated dance. Despite all this, I’m not doing this with the greatest player in would give him space. And in the alone before what became the final Perhaps that is why sure losing some of the top the history of the game in Michael end, Jordan had to sign off as well. game of the season. Isaiah Todd, whom ESPN players to the G League Jordan, who was very protective of Silver also made the financial Having a brother in the NBA had lists as the No. 13 recruit each year would be a his image and his privacy.” aspect work, running that part past familiarized Thompson with locker- in the country, announced major threat to the college He got to know Jordan a bit while then-Commissioner David Stern. room culture, when to push, when to he would go the same game. It isn’t as star-driven working at the 1992 Olympics in The project had plenty of other back off. route as Green, albeit for as the NBA.