SVG All-Stars: Danny Kopilnick, Director, Remote Operations, CBS Sports The Ithaca College grad has emerged as a key leader on CBS Sports' golf team By Brandon Costa, Director of Digital
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - 10:30 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
In an era when sports production is evolving faster than ever, a new generation of leaders is beginning to make its mark on the industry. Our new SVG All-Stars series explores the journey of the industry's rising executives, showcasing their experiences and career highlights in the business, overarching philosophy and leadership strategy, technological and creative innovation, and where they see the industry headed. Join us as we uncover the story behind their ascent and the impact they are having in an ever-evolving industry.
In live sports production and operations, you have to be ready for anything. On even the biggest, most successful remote live productions, things can - and will - go wrong. When those unforeseen challenges do arise, you want a cool customer like Danny Kopilnick.
Daniel Kopilnick, here at last year's Masters Tournament, has been a fixture behind the scenes at CBS Sports since 2016.
Kopilnick started his journey in the industry in 2015 with stints at Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball Advanced Media before becoming a media-asset manager for CBS Sports Network. At CBS Sports, he quickly climbed the ranks, filling such roles as broadcast associate, operations coordinator, unit manager, and production manager. He ascended to his current role as director of remote operations in 2022. These days, he's a critical member of the broadcaster's golf team, managing operations behind the scenes of events as big as The Masters, the PGA Championship, and other major PGA TOUR stops.
With the PGA TOUR set to return to CBS this weekened, we sit down with Kopilnick in the latest edition of SVG All-Stars to highlight the journey of his career, get his take on why it's important to remain calm in chaos when working in operations, and to get his advice for making an impact in one's first jobs in this industry.
What are the key responsibilities of your current role?
As one of our directors of remote operations, I oversee the pre-planning, onsite, and post-event logistics of all our golf events, including The Masters, the PGA Championship, and the PGA TOUR. I also oversee some specialty NFL projects, including the Nickelodeon simulcasts.
Kopilnick oversees remote-operations teams for CBS Sports' golf coverage. Here he's at the 2023 TOUR Championship with lead golf producer Sellers Shy.
I work directly with our production and technical teams to ensure our broadcasts have all the aspects of what make them look great. Essentially, our team is charged with making sure everyone has what they need onsite to produce the shows at the highest level. Those aspects include credentials, parking, catering, travel, personnel onsite, camera positions and structures, compound integration with vendors and other networks, and many more. I work with incredible people to help manage all these shows; they are the best at what they do.
What one key industry trend do you believe is having a major impact on your organization right now?
One challenge that every industry faces is rising costs. Everyone wants to put forth the best product within the scope of their budget. The product is the most important thing, and finding solutions that are budget-friendly yet won't negatively impact the product can be difficult. The operations, production, and technical teams at CBS Sports all do an incredible job working together to ensure we have the highest-quality broadcasts while finding the best solutions that meet our budget requirements.
Kopilnick works on special projects during the NFL season, including the Nickelodeon alternative broadcast of this month's AFC Wildcard game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans. Here, he's onsite with colleagues (from left) Emily Sandor, Jill Calandra, Meaghan McConnell, and Jessica Van Valkenburg.
What is one core philosophy you try to live by when managing your team/operation?
Calm in chaos. We work in live events, and things are going to go wrong, and things are going to be hectic. But, as a leader on the operations team, where most problems land at your feet, being able to be calm, process information, and act accordingly is of the utmost importance. People will react better to your decisions, and you'll be better able to articulate what needs to happen, if you remain calm in those moments.
What is your favorite event(s) you've ever worked?
My favorite event all-time that I've worked must be the 2019 Masters. It was my first year working The Masters, Tiger's incredible comeback to winning his fifth green jacket, and my first real opportunity to work one of CBS's major events. I was a small part of a huge broadcast, but it felt great to be a part of that team, and I knew I wanted to work in Augusta every year for the rest of my career.
Other highlights must be the Nickelodeon NFL games, including last year's Super Bowl; PGA Championships; and my favorite stops on the PGA TOUR: Farmers Insurance Open (La Jolla, CA), Genesis Invitational (Pacific Palisades, CA), and RBC Heritage (Hilton Head, SC).
How did you get started in sports production? What was your first real job in the business?
I was an intern in the remote-production department for CBS Sports Network the summer after my sophomore year of college. I knew how much I wanted to be in the sports-TV business, and it led me to work as a PA on CBS Sports Network remotes and studio shows while I was home from college the following two years before graduating.
Once I graduated, I worked as a logger at Major League Soccer and as a PA at MLB Advance
North America Stories
16/07/2026
June brought stabilization to the television market. Poles spent an average of 3 hours and 36 minutes a day in front of their TV screens exactly the same as i...
16/07/2026
Glensound returns to IBC with a major new addition to its intelligent loudspeaker range, the Greater Divine Supernal studio monitor, alongside recent developmen...
16/07/2026
33 leading exhibitors are taking part in the GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland Pavilions and linked locations across IBC2026 (Amsterdam RAI, 11 14 September)...
16/07/2026
Hitomi Broadcast will introduce Spectra, a new HDR colour verification solution measured in picture, not using VPID, at IBC2026 (Hall 10, Stand A40). Expanding ...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/07/2026
Zixi, a leader in live video delivery and workflow orchestration, and Comcast Technology Solutions (CTS) today announced a strategic new integration to deliver ...
16/07/2026
Blackmagic Design Cameras Capture Immersive Flight for New Cirrus App
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Leader in Personal Aviation taps URSA Cin...
16/07/2026
XenData Announces LTO Archive Appliances with both File and S3 Object Storage In...
16/07/2026
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is coming to GeForce NOW at launch, with the playable...
15/07/2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a big deal for DAZN, which has distribution rights in three markets: Italy, Spain, and Japan. Each requires a different editorial app...
15/07/2026
As sports-media organizations manage rapidly growing content libraries and incre...
15/07/2026
HBS director of digital Johannes Franken talks SVG Europe through the operation built to serve FIFA World Cup 2026 rights holders remotely from Stratford, east ...
15/07/2026
IBC has unveiled the conference program for IBC2026, with this year's event ...
15/07/2026
Software-defined wideband RF platform supports 96-kHz monitoring, streamlined fr...
15/07/2026
New AI-powered module enables broadcasters and content owners to extract dialogu...
15/07/2026
Weeklong gathering at EBU headquarters will test new IPMX capabilities and expand certified product ecosystem...
15/07/2026
Force Tech has announced the appointment of Bryan Adams, CTS, as Vice President of Integration. Adams will oversee AV and broadcast integration project delivery...
15/07/2026
USA Sports has announced an exclusive English-language agreement with the Bundes...
15/07/2026
ITV Sport's FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage has been produced from one of the m...
15/07/2026
Program will provide professional camera kits, training, and technical support to participating local newsrooms...
15/07/2026
San Francisco church becomes first U.S. deployment of the 2 M/E production switcher...
15/07/2026
Former ESPN and NFL Network executive to advise startup league on media, distribution, technology, and fan engagement...
15/07/2026
The Houston-based RSN is the live-game home of the Astros and Rockets...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
GigaCloud, a leading Ukrainian cloud service provider, and Cubbit, the first geo-distributed cloud storage enabler, today announced a new Business Alliance Part...
15/07/2026
SMPTE, the global society for media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has announced the launch of the SMPTE 110th Anniversary Campaign, a fundraising...
15/07/2026
Studio Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and fiber-optic solutions, unveils the new StudioComm Model 762 Stereo Level Control, ...
15/07/2026
COW Jobs: Producer, Virtual Events - Hybrid, Full Time, Salaried
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Producer, Virtual Events (Hybrid | Full-time | ...
15/07/2026
Brazilian media organization builds nationwide CDN with Broadpeak's high-performance software for low-latency streaming and new content distribution service...
15/07/2026
DHD announces a new utility designed to increase the efficiency of its audio mixing systems during initial installation and subsequent configuration.
Anyone w...
15/07/2026
BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026, Breaking the 1:1 Channel-to-Server Ratio New innovations liberate broadcasters from legacy playout infrastructur...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
General-purpose robots and autonomous machines are moving from research labs to ...
15/07/2026
Home to leading manufacturers, robotics pioneers, infrastructure builders and iconic gaming companies, of course, Japan is one of the world's centers of AI ...
14/07/2026
South end zone videoboard, cloud-based control system will be ready for 2026 football season...
14/07/2026
Redesigned website, enhanced mobile app unify content, ticketing, and personalized fan engagement...
14/07/2026
Agreement spans sponsorship sales, digital monetization, radio production, and new practice facility naming rights...
14/07/2026
Independent league adds 14 regional sports network affiliates, growing distribut...
14/07/2026
New strategy aims to unify competitions, content, fan engagement, and commercial...
14/07/2026
ESPN and Disney+ become exclusive home of PFL events in key international MMA market...
14/07/2026
Gill will oversee engineering, technology, and sports operations across the company's 64 local television stations...
14/07/2026
Submitted by North American Broadcasters Association (NABA)
As broadcasters con...
14/07/2026
Modernized mobile unit combines HOME Apps, mc 56 console, and IP infrastructure ...
SVG All-Stars: Danny Kopilnick, Director, Remote Operations, CBS Sports The Ithaca College grad has emerged as a key leader on CBS Sports' golf team By Brandon Costa, Director of Digital 
