In Memoriam: Sports Broadcasting Industry Mourns Loss of Legendary ESPN Producer Barry Sacks

In Memoriam: Sports Broadcasting Industry Mourns Loss of Legendary ESPN Producer Barry Sacks By SVG Staff

Thursday, February 16, 2023 - 2:29 pm

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The ESPN family was hit hard this week by news of the death of legendary producer Barry Sacks, 63, who died Sunday after suffering a heart attack. During his 33 years at ESPN, Sacks played an integral role in the launch of SportsCenter, College GameDay, and Baseball Tonight and helped to create the most prolific studio operation in sports television history. Sacks, who is survived by his wife Joanne and his son Jesse, was a mentor to countless ESPN staffers over the years and also taught courses in production and broadcasting as an adjunct professor at Quinnipiac University.

In memory of this great loss to the industry, SVG has compiles tributes and memories from many of those who have worked alongside Sacks over the past three-plus decades:

Lee Fitting, SVP of Production, ESPN His passion for sports and thoughtfulness about the overall product helped shape endless hours of television. Barry's contributions to ESPN are countless. For decades, Barry was the lifeblood of the newsroom. His booming voice, with that unforgettable New York accent, hands on hips, a colorful tie, helping to shape shows, start .and settle debates, and maybe, just maybe, looking for a winner B-Sacks made every event bigger and better. He would produce the overnight ESPNews show like it was the Super Bowl pregame, that's how much he cared. He never wanted a second of TV to be wasted. Barry always said, somebody is watching.

It was in his newsroom office, where the door was always open, where he had the greatest impact. Barry was the ultimate mentor, to everyone. Every PA that walked thru the doors during a 30-year period was impacted by B-Sacks. His knowledge, his advice, his care, and his love, all so real. Hundreds and hundreds of nervous 20-somethings were all made to feel at home when you sat across from B. He genuinely cared about you, your career, and your family. But it didn't stop with the PA's. Barry was a mentor to just about everyone - he wanted to help any and all countless producers, directors, coordinating producers, to the highest of profile of on-air anchors, everyone wanted Barry's ear. Those conversations all took their own unique shape, but each one of them, came with a take, a strong take on his Yanks, his G-Men, his Knicks, his Rangers, his Ithaca Bombers, or whatever the next game was on that night's slate, Barry just loved sports. And he loved ESPN .and its people, above all. That was Barry Sacks.

George Bodenheimer, former President and Chairman, ESPN Barry was a beautiful person whose impact was felt across ESPN both professionally and culturally. He contributed mightily to ESPN on many levels and will certainly be missed.

Rick Abbott, former VP of Global Operations, ESPN Barry was a true ESPN OG. He made everyone feel as if they were part of the family from the first day they stepped on campus to long after they left ESPN to pursue other career goals. He truly was a special person.

Fred Gaudelli, Executive Producer of SNF and TNF; former ESPN Sunday Night Football Producer Barry may not have been an ESPN original' by start date, but he embodied that phrase as much as anyone that's ever called Bristol their work place. His loud, boisterous personality belied his thoughtful and caring approach to Producing television and inspiring all that worked with and for him. Barry was an innovator, creator, mentor and for anyone who was there in the nascent years, a major influence in the rise and success of Sportscenter & studio programming. Some of my most memorable sports arguments were with Barry. He was unrelenting and you could never actually win one, but they always ended with a smile and hug. He will be missed by all.

Chuck Pagano, former EVP of Technology and CTO, ESPN I always admired Barry for his easy going and helpful demeanor. He was a true leader and a special friend. Also, he was the only colleague, other than George [Bodenheimer], who called me Chuckles!

John Walsh, former Executive Editor, ESPN When I joined ESPN in 1988, it was obvious that Barry was integral to whatever was happening in studio life. And It was quickly evident that he knew what he was doing, had his unique voice, cared deeply about whatever show he was producing, treated all who worked with him fairly and compassionately, fought for his ideas and points of view with conviction and always produced shows for fans for whom sports mattered. Because Barry was a passionate sports fan himself. In short he symbolized the heart and soul of ESPN from the earliest days on.

ESPN's ON-Air Tribute We remember the life & legacy of one of our own, Barry Sacks.

We at ESPN are heartbroken (He) is survived by a countless number of colleagues who love him and will miss him dearly. @suzykolber pic.twitter.com/WurXTp3YV5

ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 12, 2023

If you would like to contribute a memory of or offer a tribute to Barry Sacks for this piece, please email [email protected]

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2023/02/16/in-memoriam-sports-broadcasting...
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