Sports TV News
Longtime ESPN Producer Barry Sacks Dies
“During his 33-year career in Bristol, Barry touched so many areas of the company.”
Published
10 months agoon
By
BSM Staff
Barry Sacks, a longtime producer at ESPN and Quinnipiac University professor, died Sunday. He was 63.
Sacks joined ESPN in 1982 and remained with the organization until January 2016. He was pivotal in the rise of both SportsCenter and College GameDay. After departing ESPN, he was the Executive Producer of the WNBA’s Connecticut Suns for five seasons while simultaneously teaching classes part-time at Quinnipiac.
“During his 33-year career in Bristol, Barry touched so many areas of the company,” said ESPN’s Suzy Kolber as she announced the news on Postseason NFL Countdown Sunday. “His passion for sports was unmatched, including his love for the New York Giants. When Chris Berman says ‘G-Men’ on NFL Primetime, that’s an ode to Barry.
“He was also responsible for mentoring so many ESPN production assistants, always asking when deciding whether a play should make the highlight, ‘Did it make you say wow?’ Those of us who got to work with you for many years always said ‘Wow’ about you, Barry.”
We remember the life & legacy of one of our own, Barry Sacks.
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 12, 2023
“We at ESPN are heartbroken… (He) is survived by a countless number of colleagues who love him and will miss him dearly.” – @suzykolber pic.twitter.com/WurXTp3YV5
“Beloved by his students, Barry was one of the linchpins of our sports journalism offerings, and the reason why so many of his students have had successful careers,” Quinnipiac Associate Vice President of Public Relations John Morgan said in a statement. “The university is offering counseling services to students who have been impacted by this terrible loss.”
Sacks is survived by his wife, Joann, and son Jesse.
Tributes from former colleagues and friends poured in after the death was announced by ESPN.
So sad to report that BARRY SACKS our dear friend & former colleague @espn has passed away this morning from the massive heart attack he suffered – Barry was so respected by all that knew him in the ESPN family . Always had such a passion about everything that he did . My heart &… https://t.co/mlHbqA27yL
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 12, 2023
You can’t tell ESPN story without mentioning Barry Sacks. As passionate a sports fan as there was, ironic, he was in charge of intermissions. Every halftime you saw, was his baby. A sincere, caring gentleman beneath his rough tough exterior. A part of our fabric.A crushing blow. https://t.co/ZmDRRAmSxr
— Steve Levy (@espnSteveLevy) February 12, 2023
In my 30 years at ESPN, Barry Sacks is on the short list of people who made everyone around him better. He demanded accountability-challenged ideas and was limitless in his passion for sports and broadcasting. As a fellow Ithaca College Bomber his loss is personal and profound.
— Karl Ravech (@karlravechespn) February 12, 2023
Trying to explain what Barry Sacks was to ESPN and how much he meant to so many is proving to be impossible. He was a profound presence in the lives of so many. I’ll see that big smile and hear that voice forever.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) February 12, 2023
Rest Easy, B Sacks. You were one of one – an all time beauty.
Just heard the news that Barry Sacks has passed away.
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) February 12, 2023
So many ESPN folks devastated by this news.
Barry had such a way about him-Passionate about people & sports.
Loved his job-the real deal. Helped me so much early in my career.
Thinking about him and his family today. 🙏🏼
We lost a great man, husband and father today. My mentor and 1st boss at espn. A man that changed me & always kept 100 with me regardless of the politics. Rest In Peace Barry Sacks. Love you brother.
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) February 12, 2023
Barry Sacks, who passed today, leaves an incredible legacy, with a life and career that included more than 33 years at ESPN. Here he is holding court, smiling & alongside @RobinRoberts. Thoughts are with his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/bxvpNdRaJZ
— Josh Krulewitz (@jksports) February 12, 2023
I’m sorry to say this. Barry passed away this morning. He’s no longer suffering. Treasure the memories. He was an incredible, caring human being. RIP my friend. Go G men
— Howie Schwab (@howieschwab) February 12, 2023
A wonderful mentor for me & so many others at @espn. It’s important to have a great coach when you are a rookie. Barry was. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🏀
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) February 12, 2023
God, what a legend he was. He was so patient and thoughtful and generous to so many at espn. Sending prayers to his family for this awful loss.
— Randy Scott (@RandyScottESPN) February 12, 2023
OMG. Awful news. Barry was such a helpful presence all the years I was in Bristol – and I am sure that applied to everyone who knew him. May he rest in peace. 🙏
— Ron Flatter (@ronflatter) February 12, 2023
Heartbreaking. Barry was one of a kind. An unbridled energy for sports and television. I will miss him a lot 🙏🏽
— David Amber (@DavidAmber) February 12, 2023
Long time ESPN legend Barry Sacks passed away today. He always told people look for a play in a game that makes you say “ wow”. If you see a wow play tonight… think of Barry. Thanks
— trey wingo (@wingoz) February 12, 2023
During my 11 years at ESPN, Barry Sacks was one of the best coordinating producers I ever worked with.
— Robert Flores (@RoFlo) February 12, 2023
He was a teacher, a mentor, a straight shooter.
I learned a lot from him.
Many of the things you’ve watched in last 30 years he had a hand in creating and molding.
RIP Barry.
Barry Sacks was a giant of a man and who made ESPN such a better place. Touched thousands of people at ESPN and outside of it. He lived with passion and to make others betters. His memory and spirit live on. He will be greatly missed.
— Seth Horwitz (@SethMHorwitz) February 12, 2023
I feel compelled to share this.
— Kevin Connors (@kevconnorsespn) February 12, 2023
A lot of people ask me what it's like to work at ESPN.
If you care, watch this clip & hear it directly from a man who was the heart & soul of the company. A true mentor & friend.
Barry Sacks was everything good about @espn.https://t.co/Z8lwXnzWZf
#RIP Barry Sacks my brother and I don't know what else to say. A true gentleman and ALWAYS will be a bright light for so many of us at ESPN.
— FreddiE ColemaN (@ColemanESPN) February 12, 2023
RIP Barry Sacks..a friend and mentor to everyone that came thru ESPN..
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) February 12, 2023
Every time I was on campus my first move was to stop by his office for a chat
He was a man’s man with a massive heart and incredible soul!!
Nobody doubts he passed so he could get to heaven for the Super Bowl
So incredibly sad to learn about the passing of Barry Sacks. Long ago, he ushered me into the world of what I have done for three decades. I was awful. He helped me get better. Giant character. Good man gone too soon. Rest east my friend @espn @SportsCenter
— Jimmy Roberts (@JimmyRobertsNBC) February 12, 2023
Barry Sacks was the boss we all need, makes the product better, makes the company better. More importantly, he makes people better as people. He was my wife’s first boss at ESPN. He, eventually, headed ESPNews where he was my boss. (1/2)
— John Seibel (@wdtnjohn) February 12, 2023
Oh, no. This is horrible, horrible news. Barry Sacks was such a great guy, absolutely loved working with him and our conversations at @espn. Had so much passion for his job, and was a straight-shooter.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) February 12, 2023
RIP to one of the best and condolences to his family and friends. https://t.co/7FtoHetnJc
If you've watched @ESPN at any point over the last four decades, then the man in this photo has had an impact on your life. That's Barry Sacks, in the pits at Daytona in the late 1990's. The guy far right with the ballcap is me. He passed away today, Super Bowl Sunday… #thread pic.twitter.com/4sGeyJYiHK
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) February 12, 2023
Just saw the news we have lost Barry Sacks. His personality was large, his love for the people of @espn even larger. His door was always open. He always made time to offer a critique that helped me grow when I started in studio work. He embodied everything that is special at ESPN
— Sean Farnham (@SeanFarnham) February 12, 2023
Like hundreds maybe thousands of others who arrived in Bristol completely clueless about TV and maybe even life, Barry Sacks was the best mentor and then friend I could’ve asked for. To me he was ESPN’s culture in so many ways. RIP https://t.co/6QSd23MvUn
— Eamon McAnaney (@emacSNY) February 12, 2023
It is with profound sadness we relay that long-time adjunct instructor & former ESPN producer @barrysacks1 died this morning after suffering a heart attack Friday night. Our deepest condolences go out to Barry’s family, friends & all the QUJ alumni, students, faculty & staff. /1 pic.twitter.com/AE6nxTpY8z
— Quinnipiac University Journalism (@QUJournalism) February 12, 2023
Sports TV News
ESPN Officially Re-Signs Mina Kimes to Multi-Year Contract
Kimes originally joined ESPN in 2014, where she has since made her stamp on the company in multiple disciplines.
Published
1 hour agoon
December 4, 2023By
Jeff Kotuby
Get ready for more Mina Kimes on your ESPN airwaves. The company officially announced it re-signed its star NFL correspondent to a multi-year deal, shattering the hopes of Dan LeBatard Show fans everywhere.
Kimes originally joined ESPN in 2014, where she has since made her stamp on the company in multiple disciplines. She started as a writer for ESPN The Magazine and various ESPN websites before moving to an on-air personality for NFL Live, Around the Horn, and First Take. Kimes also hosts a podcast that also recently launched a YouTube channel to provide video content.
2023 has been a busy one for Mina. Earlier this year, Kimes agreed to terms with Meadowlark Media, LeBatard’s media company, to make sporadic appearances on his weekly podcast, while also agreeing to a new deal with ESPN. There’s been no word whether that deal is the same one that is being announced now or involves something different for Kimes.
Mina Kimes also allegedly turned down a lucrative offer from NFL Network to stay at ESPN, albeit on new terms. She also announced the birth of her first child, a son, fittingly during a Monday Night Football contest between her beloved Seattle Seahawks and the New York Giants.
Kimes said the familiarity with ESPN personalities was a key factor in her decision to stick around at the Worldwide Leader. “The biggest reason is I just really love the people that I work with, especially my family on NFL Live,” Kimes told Awful Announcing.
“It’s a little cliche to call them family, but they really are to me. They’re not only wonderful human beings and amazing to work with every day, but they challenge me, we push each other, and we make what I believe is one of the best shows on television. So just for me, probably the biggest appeal was just working with the people that I love so much there in particular.”
Mina Kimes also returns to ESPN today following her maternity leave.
Jeff Kotuby is a nationally-published journalist with bylines on many popular broadcasting and pop culture sites, including The Streamable, eBaum’s World, Twin Galaxies, and more. Jeff grew up in the shadows of New York City and cultivated his love for sports media with the classic broadcasting voices of the area, like Mike & The Mad Dog, Mike “Doc” Emerick, and Michael Kay. You can reach Jeff on Twitter @JeffKotu3y.
Sports TV News
Greg Olsen: I’m Not Chasing an NFL Head Coaching Job
“This is not something I’m actively pursuing. I would call the A game at FOX for 30 years if that was what was in the cards.”
Published
2 hours agoon
December 4, 2023By
Ricky Keeler
With his former team, the Carolina Panthers, in search of a new head coach this offseason, there was a report last week from Joseph Person of The Athletic that the man who was the Panther tight end for 9 years and current FOX broadcaster Greg Olsen would be interested in the position if he was approached for it.
Olsen was a guest on The Rich Eisen Show on Thursday and he told Eisen that being a coach is not something that he is actively trying to pursue at this time.
“This is not something I’m chasing. This is not something I’m actively pursuing. I would call the A game at FOX for 30 years if that was what was in the cards. We all know how this world works. People come and go. Opportunities come and go. I’m never a believer in slamming the door on anything that you love.”
“That became kind of a big story this week. Obviously, there’s a lot of speculation and rumor and whatnot. I think the best thing I would say is ‘Who wouldn’t?’ This is a city that I love,” Greg Olsen admitted. “This is a team that I played the bulk of my career for. I want to see them have success. I live here, my kids are here.”
He continued by noting that he would listen to the offer if approached, despite not angling for the job.
“I would be crazy to entertain and take that conversation. This is a game I love. This is a game that I have been involved in my entire life. How that all plays out, I don’t know.
“I love doing what I do now. Calling games, studying games, I love doing this. How that future unfolds, a lot of this is out of any of our control.”
Greg Olsen took that question and used it to bring out a larger conversation as to why people overreact if a former player without as much coaching experience gets immediately dismissed as an idea for an open spot such as what happened when Jeff Saturday went from ESPN to being the interim coach of the Colts last year.
“What I will say is a larger conversation that has nothing to do with me, we saw it last year with Jeff Saturday taking over. I think there is an instant reaction that unless you have lived the NFL lifestyle in that ladder, you can’t be successful. I think we have to be careful saying experience leads to competence in all industries.
“Look at John Lynch. John Lynch had no experience in personnel and I’d say he has done a good job. We have to be careful thinking experience is the only prerequisite to be good at anything, coaching, broadcasting. Why do we just dismiss that as a pathway? Other sports don’t dismiss it. I don’t have the answer, but I think it’s an interesting conversation.”
As for answering the question itself, Eisen thought it was great because it showed how genuine Olsen is without trying to dismiss the question the second it was asked to him despite how difficult it is to answer.
Ricky Keeler is a reporter for BSM with a primary focus on sports media podcasts and national personalities. He is also an active podcaster with an interest in pursuing a career in sports media. You can find him on Twitter @Rickinator555 or reach him by email at [email protected].
Sports TV News
Amazon Prime Video Sees Record Ratings in Latest Thursday Night Football Broadcast
This growth comes alongside news that the Black Friday game between the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets produced TNF’s lowest ratings of the season.
Published
2 hours agoon
December 4, 2023By
Jeff Kotuby
Thursday Night Football is off to a historic start in 2023 thanks in part to a thrilling contest between the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. Seahawks/Cowboys averaged 15.26 million viewers and attracted a peak audience of almost 18 million viewers on Prime Video, making it the most-watched game ever on Prime Video and the most streamed NFL game ever.
The previous high was the Sept. 14 matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles at 10.4 million viewers. Seahawks/Cowboys was also the sixth TNF contest to average more than 12 million viewers.
Through 11 weeks, TNF is averaging 12.58 million viewers, an increase of 29 percent from last season’s 11-game average. Unsurprisingly, TNF wins Thursday night each week, because nothing beats NFL football in the United States, to the tune of 151 percent viewership over the second program of the night.
This growth comes alongside news that the Black Friday game between the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets produced TNF’s lowest ratings of the season, averaging just 9.61 million viewers.
Jeff Kotuby is a nationally-published journalist with bylines on many popular broadcasting and pop culture sites, including The Streamable, eBaum’s World, Twin Galaxies, and more. Jeff grew up in the shadows of New York City and cultivated his love for sports media with the classic broadcasting voices of the area, like Mike & The Mad Dog, Mike “Doc” Emerick, and Michael Kay. You can reach Jeff on Twitter @JeffKotu3y.
