ESPN’s Remote Ops rapidly expands its innovative home studio network

‘It turned out the best location in Keith Olbermann’s apartment was his balcony,” Byram said. (Ryan Bastek/ESPN)

NFL and college football analyst Dan Orlovsky's setup: “We installed his system last Sunday and the next day he appeared on shows from 8 a.m. until midnight,” said Byram. (Shea Byram/ESPN)

Byram's team "learned on Thursday of last week at 5 p.m. that Tisha Thompson needed to be on OTL Saturday at 9 a.m. We shipped her the equipment and helped her set it up over the phone."

"First Take" commentator Max Kellerman’s studio was installed yesterday by Ryan Bastek. (Ryan Bastek/ESPN)

"First Take": (L-R) Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim Rose, Marcus Spears and Max Kellerman from their home studios.

“We are now wearing masks as a precaution as you see with Ryan installing the camera with Jay Williams,” said Byram. (Ryan Bastek/ESPN)

In this vintage 2018 photo, Install team members include (L to R) Nick D’Angelo (senior lighting specialist); Shea Byram (seated); Ryan Bastek; Arty Silver (Glowpoint, vendor)(Leah Morgenstern/ESPN)

"NFL Live" host Suzy Kolber speaks with home studio-situated ESPN NFL Insiders Jeff Darlington (C) and Adam Schefter.

Byram said, “[NFL reporter] Dianna Russini had a field set up, so directors worked with her remotely to find a nice background at home for air."

Former team member Leah Morgenstern "quickly jumped back in" to help, said Byram. (Ryan Bastek/ESPN)

“ESPN already had set up more than 75 bureau cams around the world including [ESPN FC soccer analyst] Frank Lebeouf’s in Paris," said Byram.

CBB analyst Jay Bilas has one of the more than 75 current remote home studios. (Shea Byram/ESPN)

ESPN’s remote operations team has long led the sports industry in providing remote home studios – innovative IP-based camera systems that are remotely controlled from Bristol, Conn., – for commentators without easy access to a studio.

The constantly evolving workplace norms due to COVID-19 have led to an accelerated demand for installation as ESPN continues to focus on the health and safety of its employees while remaining mindful of its mission to serve sports fans.

Shea Byram, senior manager, remote operations, and Ryan Bastek, senior remote operations coordinator, are leading the effort, coordinating with studio directing, lighting and transmission to make sure the remote studios – there were 75 before the latest push – are TV ready.

“As soon as we heard there might be a need, we started planning for different scenarios,” said Byram. “We took action and quickly bought all the systems that were available so we would be ahead of the curve.”

The team is currently installing at least one unit per day and recently have worked with the home locations of Keith Olbermann, Jordan Schultz, Tisha Thompson, Dianna Russini, Dan Orlovsky, Jay Williams, Louis Riddick, Mike Greenberg, Max Kellerman, Kendrick Perkins, Rachel Nichols and Hannah Storm.

Safety is always top of mind.

https://twitter.com/HannahStormESPN/status/1241093226498609153

“We are staying local whenever possible and using colleagues in the area to assist with the set up,” said Byram. “For example, Rachel Busch [manager, studio design and development] is based in LA, so she has jumped in to help. We have also shipped the equipment to the commentators’ homes and helped them install over the phone. We have also started wearing masks and gloves.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below, Outside The Lines’ Keith Olbermann contributes an essay using his home studio in New York City.

The only question now in sports is “When? When does it come back?”

Why I think the world’s experience with Coronavirus implies we should presume it will be a long time: at best in July, August, September.

From today’s @OTLonESPN #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/BfadH7OW2d

— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) March 14, 2020