SVG Students To Watch: Brandon Malin, University of Michigan

The Yankees fan from Connecticut is executive producer of BTN StudentU for the Wolverines

In the live-sports-video industry, the future is bright. Our series SVG Students To Watch highlights the next generation of live-sports-production professionals. Across campuses nationwide, students are playing a pivotal role in bringing their schools' games to fans - from running cameras and graphics to sitting in the producer's or director's chair and everything in between. This series shines a light on the young talent making an impact today and preparing to shape the future of sports-video production.

Brandon Malin

College: University of Michigan

Academic Year: Fifth-Year Senior

Hometown: Westport, CT

Roles: Producer, Director, Technical Director, Replay

What drew you to live sports production, and how did you get started?

I was drawn to live television production in general from an early age. My dad worked at NBC in Manhattan for many years while I was growing up, so I would visit their studios regularly. For sports production specifically, I have been a lifelong Yankees fan and have watched countless games on YES, when I became obsessed with their exceptional-quality broadcasts and wanted to see how a live sports broadcast comes together.

Malin, executive producer of the University of Michigan's BTN StudentU program, fills numerous roles behind the scenes. Here he directs and TDs a Michigan soccer broadcast in the athletic department's production trailer in September 2023. (Photos: Brandon Malin)Are there any aha moments when you realized you loved a particular role?

I enjoy pretty much every position I do with StudentU, but I have found myself particularly drawn to producing and directing. I enjoy being able to shape the broadcast, as well as replay for ice hockey and baseball/softball; it's fun to make multi-look packages for each goal or run. Being a Yankees fan, I especially love directing baseball and softball because I can emulate some of the techniques and moments that I see when I watch the Yankees at home.

What has been your favorite project or game that you've worked on, and why?

This will be a long answer: At StudentU, we have been lucky enough to produce Big Ten Hockey Quarterfinals three years in a row, which have always been fun. The crew has a lot of excitement about it, and we put our best foot forward to make as large and as quality a production as we can. The energy inside Yost Ice Arena is unmatched as well, which is thrilling to capture.

Malin (left) directs and TDs a Michigan volleyball match in September 2023 alongside Megan Harmeling, a former StudentU producer who is now director of broadcasting at the University of Idaho.Separately, I organized a Senior Day broadcast for StudentU during baseball season. We had as many seniors as possible working the broadcast and honored them on-air during the game. That moment encapsulated what is so special about StudentU: that it's not just about producing a broadcast; it's a learning opportunity for the students, and the students are truly valued and celebrated for their work.

On the linear-production side, my favorite game was a football game at the Big House in 2022, which I was working for Big Ten Network alongside my good friend, who was another producer with Michigan StudentU. There was a 90-minute lightning delay, during which my friend and I hung out in the tunnel, watching players warming up, and chatting with other linear-crew members. The game ended after midnight. Although it turned into a 13-hour workday, it was the first linear broadcasts [my friend and I] had worked on, which made it special.

What's the most challenging aspect of working in live sports production as a student?

The most challenging aspect by far is balancing broadcast work with classwork. I routinely work 25-30 hours each week for StudentU. Being a full-credit-load student while putting everything I can into broadcasts and managing/improving Michigan StudentU as a whole is certainly a challenge. That said, I thrive when working a lot, so it's a balance.

What are your career aspirations after graduation?

After graduation, I would love to stay in the live-sports-production world. I have an interest in a lot of areas of broadcast, from in-house to engineering to mobile units to student or campus-run productions, so I'm open to anything that may come my way. I'm very excited to branch out and see more of what this industry has to offer.

Malin (foreground) sets lighting for a prerecorded show open prior to a Michigan Men's Ice Hockey game for color commentator Jonah FitzGerald (left) and play-by-play announcer Owen Crain at Yost Ice Arena in November 2024.What advice would you give to your freshman self?

I'd tell my freshman self to be more outgoing and look more actively for things on campus that interest me. There are a ton of opportunities, especially at a school like Michigan, but it's up to you to get involved.

If you run video production at a college athletic department and would like to recommend a standout student from your crew to be featured in SVG Students To Watch, please email SVG Director of Digital Brandon Costa at [email protected].

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/02/05/brandon-malin-is-executive-prod...
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