ESPN’s Plans For Commemorating 9/11

Most TV networks are planning programming around the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and ESPN is no exception. Each outlet is hoping not be exploitative while being understated at the same time. On Sunday, ESPN plans to take part in the National Moment of Silence at 8:46 a.m., the precise minute the first plane struck the World Trade Center in New York. Then ESPN’s platforms will have various features and reports throughout the day including pregame ceremonies at Citi Field in New York on Baseball Tonight prior to the Chicago Cubs-New York Mets contest.

Let’s take a look at ESPN’s plans for Sunday.

ESPN’s Plans for Commemorating September 11

“ESPN’s coverage surrounding the 10th anniversary of September 11 will balance our desire to reflect on the tragic events through a sports prism. Through our news outlets and event coverage, we will do our very best to thoughtfully tell relevant stories with a sports perspective, document how the sports world commemorates this emotional day, and provide the appropriate reaction.” John Skipper, Executive Vice President, Content

ESPN will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with a combination of features, essays, tributes and live event coverage throughout the day.

Below is a sampling of ESPN’s 9/11-related content plans:

  • ESPN will observe the national moment of silence Sunday at 8:46 a.m. ET.
  • SportsCenter and Outside the Lines will feature a roundtable discussion with three of New York’s professional coaches on the day of the attacks: Joe Torre and ESPN’s Herm Edwards and Bobby Valentine.
  • ESPN The Magazine’s September 19 issue (on sale: September 9) will look at What We Forgot; What We Remember; and How We’ve Changed through stories told by, among others, Tom Friend, Steve Wulf, Seth Wickersham, Luke Cyphers and Peter Keating.
  • Sunday NFL Countdown will share the story of survivor, Tim Coughlin, son of New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, who was working as a bond trader on the 60th floor of the South Tower when the planes hit the Twin Towers.
  • Baseball Tonight will include coverage of pregame ceremonies emanating from Citi Field during the 7 p.m. show leading into Sunday Night Baseball’s telecast of the Chicago Cubs at the New York Mets (8 p.m.).
  • ESPN.com will augment several pieces from ESPN The Magazine with interactive components, and will post original content including a piece by Pulitzer Prize-nominated columnist Tommy Tomlinson that contemplates the notion of sports and tragedy, and whether sports can heal us.
  • ESPNNewYork.com will offer a full week of content leading up to 9/11 with writing from Buster Olney, Ian O’Connor and Kieran Darcy.
  • ESPN Audio’s September 9 The Sporting Life will feature 9/11 stories including Jeremy Schaap’s interview with the widow of a former Cornell lacrosse player who died in the 9/11 attacks.
  • ESPN’s September 10 NASCAR coverage from Richmond will include an ESPN produced piece “I Remember” with reflections and memories from the sport’s stars.
  • espnW.com will profile the Pat Tillman Foundation, and its scholarship program, which awards college athletes funding in the name of the former NFL player, who enlisted in the Army after 9/11.

I will be listing 9/11 programming in the Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks under “9/11” as you certainly cannot list it as “Entertainment”.

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013. He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television. Fang celebrates the three Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

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