WNBA Finals 2024: ESPN Wraps Exhilarating Regular Season, Playoffs With Two Best Records in Championship Series Network rolls with onsite productions in New York and Minnesota By Kristian Hern ndez, Senior Editor
Friday, October 11, 2024 - 3:22 pm
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
The Minnesota Lynx played spoiler and defeated the New York Liberty in overtime to tie the largest comeback win in WNBA Finals history at 18 points - and that was Game 1. ESPN is ready for much more of the same in this best-of-five series that features teams with the best two records in the regular season. Fans watching from home get to enjoy enhanced coverage of this championship because of the special bond between the network's production and operations teams.
I've been at ESPN for 20 years and have never been more impressed with the team covering the WNBA, says Kate Leonard, coordinating producer, ESPN. Everyone has been focused on this historic season, so I can't say enough about their hard work and commitment.
Heightened Production Quality: Cinematic Angles, Onsite Editions of WNBA Countdown The production level is always kicked up a notch for the WNBA Playoffs and is ratcheted up even further for the Finals. This 1080p production, which debuted last year, deploys the broadcaster's best technological workflows and resources.
Barclays Center hosted Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Finals on Thursday, Oct. 10.
For the WNBA Finals, says Adam Bryant, lead game director, ESPN, we have several production highlights to enhance the viewing experience. Our extensive camera setup allows multiple angles, replays, and unique shots, while virtual graphics will provide dynamic stats, player highlights, and immersive storytelling elements.
In the lower bowl, live game action is covered by more than 20 cameras. The total comprises a handful of specialty cameras: four high-speed cameras for slow-motion replay, customary above-the-rim robotics, and a shallow-depth-of-field camera provided by Faction Media roaming the court during game stoppages. The high-speed cameras, including the Sony HDC-4800, were critical in reviewing a last-second foul by Minnesota's Napheesa Collier that allowed New York's Breanna Stewart to make one of two free throws and force an extra period of play.
Four high-speed cameras, including a Sony HDC-4800, provide stunning images and slow-motion replay during the WNBA postseason.
Along with a shallow-depth-of-field camera, fans will be brought into the huddle and listen to each team's strategy via mics on players and coaches. In Game 1, Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello and guard Sabrina Ionescu and Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve and guard Courtney Williams were miked.
Fans receive expert analysis from ESPN's marquee studio show, WNBA Countdown. Its star-studded team - host LaChina Robinson and analysts Carolyn Peck, Chiney Ogwumike, and Andraya Carter - will be onsite at either Barclays Center or Target Center for the length of the series. Elle Duncan will have hosting duties for Sunday's Game 2 in Brooklyn. Host Sam Ravech will split his time between two digital-centric programs: WNBA Hoop Stream with analyst Ari Chambers on YouTube and WNBA the Wrap-Up with appearances by analysts Maria Marino, Monica McNutt, and Chambers on the ESPN App, YouTube, and Facebook. The trio of play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco, analyst Rebecca Lobo, and reporter Holly Rowe will call each game.
A shallow-depth-of-field camera captures cinematic shots near the court.
As for storylines, the key to a compelling broadcast during the playoffs is understanding what information fans are interested in. The most complex part is not being entirely sure who the two teams will be in the finals with little time to rehearse the talking points. One team, the New York Liberty, made quick work of the back-to-back champions Las Vegas Aces in four semifinal games. The Minnesota Lynx, on the other hand, had to win Game 4 over the Connecticut Sun on the East Coast to force a Game 5 at home on Oct. 8. With not much turnaround time, ESPN followed the Lynx from Minneapolis to Brooklyn, NY, on Oct. 9 for the first game of the championship series on Oct. 10. Lead Game Producer Ian Gruca had to keep his eyes on the already clinched Liberty and the two teams battling it out on the other side of the bracket.
We spent a lot of time discussing and preparing storylines for all potential scenarios, he says. When you're a sports fan, you always hope it goes to all five games and comes down to the buzzer to determine a champion, but we strive to be prepared for the storylines that we know and react in real time to the developing storylines on the court.
Atlantic Avenue Return: Ops Crew Benefits From Two Straight Years in Brooklyn ESPN will have a slight case of d j vu during the WNBA Finals: Barclays Center hosted Games 3 and 4 of last year's title bout. If the Sun defeated the Lynx in one of the two remaining games in this year's semifinals, there was the potential for producing Games 3 and 4 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT - which is 63 miles southwest of ESPN headquarters in Bristol, CT. This would have permitted a greater number of staffers to work the games and be able to easily drive back to the Bristol facility, but the Lynx won two straight and made that a moot point. Besides, Barclays Center is within driving distance of Bristol and is a familiar environment for this slate of games.
Returning to Brooklyn for a second straight season has certainly provided advantages, says Catherine Chalfant, manager, remote production operations, ESPN. We have the added benefit of having many team members who were part of ESPN's Women's Final Four coverage in Minnesota in 2022. Familiarity with producing championships in both venues helps streamline logistics an
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
28/01/2026
Top L-R: The Liars, Jazz Infernal, Living with a Visionary
Second Row L-R: Paper Trail, The Baddest Speechwriter of All, Crisis Actor
Third Row: The Boys and ...
28/01/2026
Music discovery should feel intuitive and personal. That's why we're continuing to give you more control, so you can ask for what you want, shape what y...
28/01/2026
Today, Charlie Hellman, Spotify's Head of Music, shared the following note on the Spotify for Artists blog that the company paid out more than $11 billion t...
28/01/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in partnership with the Oudtshoorn Municipality, invites aspiring and emerging filmmakers to apply for the Sediba...
28/01/2026
As demand for more complex live sports coverage grows, Balkan broadcast specialist MVP has upgraded its flagship HD1 progressive OB truck with the installation ...
28/01/2026
Airlines, cruise and tour operators double down on ad spend as Australians' prioritise travel
Sydney January 28, 2026 - New Nielsen Ad Intel data shows a...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Marshall Electronics launches the CV420-27X, its next-generation ultra-high-definition (UHD) IP camera, at ISE 2026 (Stand 4N900). Engineered for modern IP-base...
28/01/2026
Grass Valley has announced that Television Mobiles Ltd. (TVM), one of Europe's leading independent outside broadcast providers, has carried out a major refu...
28/01/2026
AI, graphics and virtual software power new production capabilities
FOR-A is bringing remarkable new technologies to FOMEX, the Future of Media Exhibition (ex...
28/01/2026
Continuing a longstanding collaboration, Riedel Communications and Nordic media technology company Media Tailor have once again joined forces to deliver a state...
28/01/2026
Pebble has appointed Paul Nagle-Smith as vice president for customer fulfilment, strengthening its senior leadership focus on customer delivery and operational ...
28/01/2026
Cloud playout solutions provider, Veset has announced that leading Mexican broadcaster, TV Azteca is using Veset Nimbus on AWS as a disaster recovery (DR) playo...
28/01/2026
Ensuring it can keep pace with a rapidly evolving live sports market, Balkan broadcast facility provider MVP Most Valuable Production has upgraded its flags...
28/01/2026
Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the cloud solutions provider that powers and protects life online, and Yospace, the leader in dynamic ad insertion tec...
28/01/2026
The renowned Reykjavik City Theatre (RCT) recently underwent a major intercom system upgrade using Clear-Com solutions. This milestone project utilizes Clear-C...
28/01/2026
Luxembourg, January 26, 2026 - SES S.A. ( SES or the Company ), a leading space solutions company, acknowledges the credit rating action announced by Fitch to...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
28 01 2026 - Media release Screen Australia refreshes Market & Audience approach...
28/01/2026
Boston Conservatory Orchestra Premieres a New Piano Concerto by Peter and Leonar...
28/01/2026
28 Jan 2026
VEON Notes Kyivstar Group Publication of Selected Full Year 2025 Fi...
28/01/2026
Rohde & Schwarz to host 2026 edition of its online event Demystifying EMC Rohde & Schwarz invites the global EMC community to join a crucial discussion on pre...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
The Wait Is Over: Teaser Trailer Drops for Jo Nesbo's Dete...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Announces a Fictional Miniseries Inspired by the Marta del Castillo Case
Entertainment
28 January 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to ...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Announces Santiago Mitres New Film Starring Ver nica L...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Unveils the Teaser Trailer for Berlin and the Lady wit...
28/01/2026
Stadtwerke Wolfhagen Modernize Customer Management with AEP.energysuite from Arv...
27/01/2026
Click for Japanese version
Tokyo, Japan - January 27, 2026 - Akamai Technolo...
27/01/2026
L-R: Jonathan Cuchacovich, Sonia Kennebeck, Alan Fischer, Daeil Kim, Andrew Sta...
27/01/2026
Today, Spotify is proud to support our partner Backline, an industry-leading men...
27/01/2026
With nearly 29 million monthly listeners and clear momentum on Spotify, Net n Ve...
27/01/2026
January 14, 2026
We are proud to share that 25 Ontario, First Gulf's commercial project located just two minutes from our head office, has been recognized ...
27/01/2026
January 22, 2026
First Gulf is excited to share that a full-building lease has been secured at 625 Bronte Rd in Oakville, part of Bronte Station Business Park,...
27/01/2026
January 23, 2026
First Gulf continues to demonstrate its commitment to high-performance, sustainable real estate with 351 King Street East achieving BOMA BEST ...
27/01/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
27/01/2026
Nielsen will continue to drive growth and provide local audience measurement
in...
27/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
27/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
27/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
27/01/2026
Amagi Media Labs Limited, the only cloud-native SaaS provider offering end-to-end solutions across live production, content preparation, distribution, and monet...
27/01/2026
Miri Technologies Inc. today unveiled its V410 live 4K video encoder/decoder for streaming, IP-based production workflows and AV-over-IP distribution. Designed ...
27/01/2026
The Paul E. Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell in Massachusetts has chosen Ikegami cameras for incorporation into its broadcast-quality television production facili...
WNBA Finals 2024: ESPN Wraps Exhilarating Regular Season, Playoffs With Two Best Records in Championship Series Network rolls with onsite productions in New York and Minnesota By Kristian Hern ndez, Senior Editor 
