By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
ESPN is coming to the Strip.
Already here in Las Vegas covering programming like UFC fight shows and Top Rank boxing events, ESPN has opened a high-tech studio at the LINQ.
The facility is designed to be a content hub for ESPN’s sports betting programs.
Here’s a description in a press release Monday.
“The new, 6,000 square foot facility includes three studios and features 12 cameras, including two exterior robotic cameras. It will operate using ESPN’s REMI production workflow, with 24 transmit and receive paths to ESPN control rooms and technical operations around the country. The facility is ESPN’s first built to be fully capable to support native 4K, and will launch in 1080p. It will serve as the epicenter of ESPN’s sports betting-themed content for linear, digital and social shows. The studio will also play a vital role during major sporting events, including the growing number of franchises and marquee events in Las Vegas.”
“Our new studio with Caesars is ideally located in the middle of The Strip and has been designed and built out with state-of-the-art UHD 4K-capable technology, a first for ESPN,” said Chris Calcinari, senior vice president of Remote Production Operations at ESPN & ABC Sports. “We will leverage this technology and our innovative REMI production model to serve this growing audience of sports fans with the quality content for which ESPN is known.”
Beginning Sept. 8, ESPN’s sports betting news and information program Daily Wager will permanently move to Las Vegas and originate from the LINQ studio as it returns to ESPN2 at 6 p.m. ET on weekdays after a hiatus due to the pandemic. Daily Wager is hosted by Doug Kezirian, who has covered sports betting for more than 15 years. The show marked its one-year anniversary in March.
ESPN, and Caesars Entertainment, which owns the LINQ, said produced segments for the ESPN SportsCenter news shows and digital platforms will be held at the new studio. Expect more Las Vegas-exclusive sports betting and entertainment news to fans.
“The debut of the all-new ESPN studio at The LINQ Hotel + Experience is a testament both to Las Vegas’ position as the sports betting capitol of the world and its transformation into a sports city,” said Chris Holdren, Caesars Entertainment, Inc. Co-President of Caesars Sports. “With the marquee location of the studio right at the heart of the Strip, we’re excited to see the unique programming that could only be produced here in Las Vegas.”
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