• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 9, 2025
One week until Asset Class at the NYSE Request to Attend

NFL Draft Networks Face Web Of Challenges For TV’s Primetime Return

  • ESPN and NFL Network will have to weave hundreds of remote video feeds into one coherent telecast for 2020 NFL Draft.
  • With U.S. death toll from coronavirus over 40,000, look for more subdued tone in this year’s NFL Draft coverage.
Apr 25, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Daniel Jones (Duke) stands with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he was selected as the number six overall pick to the New York Giants in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft in Downtown Nashville. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Seth Markman has overseen ESPN’s coverage from the Super Bowl, World Series, MLB All-Star Game, and ‘Monday Night Football.’ But the vice president of production has never tackled anything as difficult as televising this year’s NFL Draft.

“This is the most complicated event I’ve personally been involved in,” said the 27-year ESPN veteran.

Mark Quenzel, his opposite number at NFL Network, has worked Olympics and Super Bowls. But “nothing even comes close,” he said, to the logistical challenge of melding hundreds of remote video feeds from coaches, general managers, announcers, players, and parents into a coherent national broadcast later this week.

But the show must go on – especially since there are no live sports to watch.

The 2020 NFL Draft will be shown on ESPN, sister Disney broadcast network ABC and the league’s own NFL Network from April 23 to 25th.

The stakes are high. This year’s NFL Draft will be the first live televised sporting event since the coronavirus pandemic virtually shut down sports. Given the technological hurdles created by the pandemic, this year’s telecast will look, sound, and feel different than anything before.

In a normal year, ESPN and NFL Network typically offer their own distinct coverage and announce teams from the draft’s host city. But given the myriad logistical hurdles mandated by quarantines, the two networks are joining forces to offer a single TV presentation of rounds 1 through 7 over the course of three days.

Similar to last year, ABC will offer its own distinct primetime coverage for the first two days of the draft, then simulcast ESPN/NFL Network’s coverage for the third.

Rather than broadcasting from Las Vegas, the three networks will produce most of the coverage from ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Conn. They’ll be connected directly to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as he announces the picks from his basement in Bronxville, N.Y.

ESPN’s Trey Wingo will anchor all three days of coverage, with Suzy Kolber handling remote interviews in a separate studio. But look for ESPN and NFL Network to mix and match its respective on-air talents, including Mel Kiper Jr., Daniel Jeremiah, Louis Riddick, Adam Schefter, Josina Anderson, Sal Paolantonio, Rich Eisen, Michael Irvin, and Kurt Warner, into one integrated telecast. Most will contribute remotely via their home studios.

Ditto for dozens of NFL coaches and GM’s, and 58 draft prospects, who’ll join the coverage via WiFi.

ABC’s team including Kirk Herbstreit, Todd McShay, Rece Davis, Maria Taylor, and Jesse Palmer will also broadcast from Bristol.

The league and the TV networks are still trying to figure out what Goodell’s setup will look like from his home, according to Quenzel. They’re still not sure if the Commissioner will be standing or sitting, or what the set will ultimately look like.

As for the hundreds of other remote connections, ESPN and NFL Network are hoping for the best – and preparing for the worst.

Similar to ESPN’s coverage of the NBA H-O-R-S-E competition, glitches, blurry images, and other technical difficulties are inevitable. The networks are installing backups upon backups. But nobody can predict what will happen until Thursday night.

The NFL will hold a “trial run” sometime this week to make sure clubs in remote offices can communicate picks and make trades, according to ProFootballTalk.

Because of social distancing requirements,  the number of producers, directors, and tech personnel in the Bristol control room will be slashed in half. While on-air talent won’t wear masks, all behind-the-scenes personnel are required to wear masks – and sit at least six feet apart – to comply with workplace safety rules.

“It’s tricky on a lot of levels. You’re talking about producers wearing masks trying to communicate with the talent and everything that’s going on in this broadcast,” Markman said. “It’s not ideal. But we believe it’s the safest environment.”

ESPN is not looking for “heroes,” he added. The network has sent the word out: If you’re not feeling well, stay home.

In recent years, the NFL Draft has become a celebration of football, with concerts, big-name celebrities, and street festivals.

Given the economic and social climate in the U.S. amid the pandemic, ESPN and NFL Network are taking pains to make sure their combined coverage features a more subdued tone.

“Clearly, it’s about drafting players – but even more clearly, it’s about setting the tone,” said Quenzel. “That we understand there’s something much larger going on in the world. How do we set that tone first thing Thursday? And how do we maintain it during the three days of the Draft? We’re working very hard with Seth and his team to make sure we’re accomplishing that.”

There’s one vital element to Draft coverage that Markman and Quenzel admit they can’t replicate: the fans.

The sight and sound of rabid football fans cheering and booing draft picks and Goodell have long given the Draft its atmosphere and character.

READ MORE: ESPN Invokes The Force Of Disney To Market Michael Jordan Doc

ESPN and NFL Network are examining ways to incorporate some fan-submitted videos into the telecast. But it won’t be the same. The good news for Goodell? The fans can’t boo him in his Bronxville basement.

“We know we can do a great job analyzing the players, telling you where they fit into their teams, debating whether it’s a good or bad pick,” said Markman. “But the energy and the fans? That’s something we’ll never be able to replicate.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Viewership Reaches Highest Level Since 2010, Up 8% from 2024

Through Week 5, the league’s audience levels are at a 15-year high.
May 10, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Singer Bad Bunny watches game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
opinion

How NFL Can Get Its Arms Around Bad Bunny Situation

The league could try to balance Bad Bunny with a MAGA-friendly performer.

NFL and College Football TV Ratings Continue to Surge, Especially for CBS

The network’s singleheader coverage Sunday drew huge viewership.
Brian Flores

Court Again Rejects NFL Request to Send Flores Case to Arbitration

The NFL has tried to keep the case out of open court.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Netflix

Netflix Claims Bigger NFL Package ‘Doesn’t Really Fit’ Sports Strategy

Roger Goodell has signaled media-rights conversations could restart next year.
Mar 19, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; USA shortstop Trea Turner (8) throws to first base for an out during the first inning at LoanDepot Park.
October 7, 2025

Fox Picks Up Media Rights to 2026 World Baseball Classic

The network will repeat its role in the international baseball tournament.
Dana Evans
October 8, 2025

WNBA Starts Finals With Best Viewership Since Inaugural Season

Game 1 averaged 1.9 million viewers on ESPN.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
October 6, 2025

Mark Sanchez Charged With New Felony in Indianapolis Case

The broadcaster and ex-NFL quarterback faces up to six years in prison.
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Josh McCray (2) runs against Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (41) and defensive back Keon Sabb (3) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
exclusive
October 2, 2025

College Football Viewership Is Up Double Digits. Here’s Why

Average game viewership is up by more than 10% so far.
The NBC Sports broadcast team works Michigan State's football game against Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
October 2, 2025

NBC Sports, Peacock Stay on YouTube TV With Long-Term Deal

The broad-based agreement keeps NBC channels with the key distributor.
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
October 1, 2025

Alabama-Georgia Draws 10.4M Viewers, Drives Record CFB Season Pace

ABC drew 10.4 million viewers for Alabama-Georgia.