SVG All-Stars: Francisco Contreras, Executive Director, Field Operations, FOX Sports

SVG All-Stars: Francisco Contreras, Executive Director, Field Operations, FOX Sports This key contributor to FOX Sports' jewel baseball events worked his way up from the bottom By Brandon Costa, Director of Digital

Tuesday, April 1, 2025 - 12:50 pm

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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.

When FOX Sports delivers a big-time Major League Baseball event, you know the results are going to be special.

For three straight years, the MLB on FOX crew has dominated the Sports Emmy Awards. Most recently, it won Outstanding Playoff Coverage for the 2023 ALCS (Astros vs. Rangers) and the 2022 NLCS (Padres vs. Phillies). In 2022, FOX earned the industry's top honor - Outstanding Live Sports Special - for the inaugural MLB at Field of Dreams game.

Although a team comprising many faces and voices produced those epic baseball nights, one consistent force behind the scenes on FOX Sports' MLB road show was Francisco Contreras. Affectionately called Paco, the Executive Director, Field Operations regularly makes magic happen in both preeminent forums, like Dodger Stadium and Yankee Stadium, and more-obscure locales, such as an Iowa cornfield or a 114-year-old retired ballfield in Birmingham, AL (for 2024's MLB at Rickwood Field).

Francisco Contreras is executive director, field operations, FOX Sports.

A fixture on FOX Sports crews since the late '90s, Contreras truly climbed the operations ladder, getting his start at the network when he met a member of FOX's travel staff while working as a ticket agent for United Airlines (we'll let him tell you that story). He did it all, from driving executives around to cleaning bathrooms. Today, he is one of the industry's most respected and beloved operations leaders.

In this week's edition of SVG All-Stars, Contreras takes you inside his unique career journey, shares how creating a fun and healthy work environment makes for a better show, and why open communication is key in breaking into this industry.

What are the key responsibilities of your current role?

As executive director of remote operations, my responsibilities encompass all aspects of operations and technical management, ensuring that all the behind-the-scenes elements go smoothly for production across MLB on FOX. This includes over 70 regular-season games, big events like the MLB All-Star Game and Postseason, along with special games like MLB at Field of Dreams and Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues across the past 23 seasons.

Contreras (third from right) at the 2024 Westminster Dog Show with (from left) Operations Managers Judy Lawless, Jennifer Freund, and Pam Chvotkin; Tech Producer Taihe Miller; Lead Technical Producer Tom Lynch; and Tech Producer Anil Letherwala

This involves pre-event surveys and meetings, travel, and onsite operational and technical planning to allow our production teams to produce multiple Emmy Award-winning telecasts.

I also handle the operations across the over 20 hours of coverage for the Westminster Kennel Club Championships, which have been hosted in four different locations around NYC in my 10 years overseeing this project.

In my 28 years with FOX Sports, I have always been excited to work on new projects, including being a key teammate at five Super Bowls, the NFL, NASCAR, F1, college football, boxing, Major League Soccer, and UFC.

Contreras with FOX Sports colleague Steve Grigley at FOX Sports' first live UFC event in November 2011 at the Honda Center in Anaheim

What is one key industry trend that you believe is having a major impact on your organization right now?

At FOX, we are constantly trying to upgrade our workflows to improve our communications and, ultimately, improve the quality of our productions. I have worked with my teammates to implement new crewing communications systems to deliver important information promptly. Delivering important and timely information to our crews digitally has improved their experience and, ultimately, their ability to perform their craft to the best of their ability.

The industry trend driving baseball forward in recent years is our use of HRP [Home Run Production] and World Feed Plus models of production, allowing our teams to enhance our product through utilization of our very powerful production centers.

Contreras on the NFL on FOX trip to Afghanistan in 2009

What core philosophy do you try to live by when managing your team/operation?

I strive to provide a fun atmosphere while we work hard. All our FOX crews from game, studio, digital, social media, and features are a family. We work together collaboratively regardless of department.

What is your favorite event(s) you've ever worked?

One of my favorite events by far is the MLB Postseason. I love the challenge that the long month of October baseball brings: working long hours, traveling on charters, and planning logistics for potentially 16 teams that might make it to the World Series.

Contreras with members of the MLB on FOX Operations team at the 2019 World Series in Washington, DC

Another favorite event by far is the Westminster Dog Show. I have a Yorkshire Terrier named Marino. He is my baby. I have enjoyed helping to create innovative camera locations amongst the dog runs for seamless coverage of the courses. It is a great week of interacting with the differe

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2025/04/01/svg-all-stars-francisco-contrer...
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