ESPN is in deep trouble after the sports cable network reportedly used fake names for its College Game Day personalities to win several Emmy Awards.
katie strang The Athletic report After posting false names in several categories, the network falsified the nameplate by adding the star's name, gave the award as if the star had won it, and then decided to return the award. It is said that he was forced to do so.
According to the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), on-air personalities were prohibited from winning multiple Emmy Awards for the same show. sports illustrated. “Kirk Herbstreit might win an award for his work as an analyst, but he couldn't win an award that was won by a person.” college game day program,” the magazine explained.
So it appears that ESPN submitted fake names for some awards so that on-air talent could “win” multiple awards.
The pseudonyms were submitted as “associate producers” — “often with similar names to actual on-air talent. For example, in Herbstreit's case, 'Kirk Henry' and 'Lee Clark'; [Lee] Corso” sports illustrated continued. Awards were then presented to the network's stars, who were engraved with new nameplates to replace their fake names.
GameDay host Kirk Herbstreit attends ESPN's College GameDay Show in Times Square on September 23, 2017 in New York City. (Mike Stove/Getty Images)
Strang added that there is no evidence that the broadcast personalities were aware of the end run around ESPN's award rules.
ESPN apologized for violating the rules.
“This was a misguided attempt to recognize an on-air individual who is an important member of our production team. Once current leadership became aware of this, we apologized to NATAS for violating our guidelines. , we have worked closely with NATAS to completely review our submission process to ensure this does not happen again,” the network said in a statement.
ESPN College Gameday Analyst Rece Davis talks about Gameday at Times Square in New York City on September 23, 2017. (Abby Parr/Getty Images)
“NATAS identified numerous fictitious credits that ESPN submitted to multiple Sports Emmy competitions,” NATAS said. Athletic. “When brought to the attention of ESPN senior management, the network took steps to hold its employees accountable for their actions.”
This rule was created to prevent stars from winning awards and give producers, screenwriters, etc. a chance at recognition.
ESPN College GameDay analysts Lee Corso (left) and Kirk Herbstreit pose on set in Times Square on September 23, 2017 in New York City. (Abby Parr/Getty Images)
NATAS says ESPN Vice President Craig Lazarus, former Senior Vice President Lee Fitting, and College GameDay Coordinator/Producer Drew Gallagher have been barred from submitting their names for future Emmy Awards. Announced.
last time college game day It won an Emmy Award in 2018.
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