NBC Sports Takes Changes in Stride for First Yankee Stadium Football Game

NBC Sports this weekend will make its first visit to the House that Jeter Built, as Yankee Stadium hosts its first football game when Notre Dame plays Army on Nov. 20.

“There were many challenges to this game, because it is the first football game at the new Yankee Stadium and there is just a different configuration for football than baseball,” says NBC Sports Technical Manager Marc Hopmayer. “Our broadcast booth is in a luxury suite because the normal broadcast booths are behind home plate, which is the end zone. Similar changes had to be made for the coaches’ booths and the camera positions. It’s challenging but fun.”

NBC Sports relies on NEP Broadcasting’s SS20 as the A unit and ST15 as a B unit supporting graphics, transmission, and SportsMEDIA needs. The production will be passed out over the NBC broadcast network as well as the Internet and over an international feed.

“We’ll have 20 cameras for the game, including a Steadicam and an RF camera,” says Hopmayer. “The Steadicam will be used in a similar way as on our Sunday Night Football production, and it can capture unique angles our position cameras cannot.”

One of those shots will be the players’ walk from the Yankee locker room through the tunnel and out through the dugout. “It should be a cool shot,” he says.

The Steadicam will also be used for an on-the-field halftime segment by the Football Night in America broadcast team.

As for the RF unit, look for that to roam the stands capturing the unique aspects of the event.

“This is more than just a college football game,” says Hopmayer. “It’s an event with three iconic brands.”