ESPN scores all access pass to Charlotte Bobcats Preparations

By Andrew Lippe

The Charlotte Bobcats last
Friday offered an all day access pass to their game day preparations for their
match up with the Orlando Magic thanks to ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN2, and on ESPN
radio.

“John Skipper vice
president of ESPN, and Bob Johnson of the Bobcats discussed this project back
at the All Star Break last year,” says Bob Rauscher, ESPN vice president NBA
Production. “The players agreed to participate and have been very
cooperative.”

ESPN featured 12 hours of
all-access programming. “All footage was a combination of live and turnaround
footage,” says Rauscher. Throughout the day fans were taken inside practices,
got a tour of Bobcats arena, as well as a behind the scenes look at

Charlotte star Adam
Morrison rehabbing his injury. The game shoot featured 19 cameras as well as
two mobile units. “We had close to a 50 person crew which is far more than a
normal game telecast,” says Rauscher.

The move is the latest
innovation from a league looking to bring fans closer to the action. The NBA
recently required players and coaches to wear microphones. Both Bobcats head
coach Sam Vincent, and Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy wore microphones
during the contest.

“In all sports bringing
fans closer to the game by enhancing the experience benefits everyone,” adds
Rauscher.