ESPN Using RedZone Branding for US Open Coverage
It remains unclear who will host the RedZone-style tennis coverage.
ESPN plans to use its RedZone intellectual property for the US Open tennis coverage beginning August 30, 2021. This is the first instance of RedZone being employed for a non-football event as part of the NFL Network acquisition. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET each day, the streaming service will feature commentary from various hosts and commentators known to the audience.
John Suchenski, ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions, mentioned that the hosts will rotate daily, providing an opportunity for different voices to contribute. Notable talent such as John McEnroe, Patrick McEnroe, Andy Roddick, and Caroline Wozniacki are among those who will participate. Scott Hanson, the prominent NFL RedZone host, is not part of the tennis version's lineup as he remained with the NFL division after the acquisition.
The NFL retains production and digital distribution rights, while ESPN and Disney maintain linear TV distribution rights. ESPN intends to offer a fast-paced, whiparound coverage style similar to their previous tennis RedZone broadcasts, but with a more frenetic pace. Suchenski did not disclose the names of the traffic-cop hosts, but clarified that the coverage will focus on points rather than games or matches.
The possibility of applying RedZone branding to other sports, like college football, remains open for future considerations.
Written by urgent.news from Front Office Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
