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September 18, 2009

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Posted by Rebecca Lowe on 18/09/2009

It was great to become part of the ESPN team over the summer and (if for some strange reason you haven’t been watching so far!) my role is co-host of the Premier League games. That involves all 46 games this season and being ESPN’s presence at the stadium. I try to get as much access as I possibly can - to players, the managers and the club. It’s my ambition to give supporters things that they haven’t seen before.

The unique thing we are trying to achieve with the Premier League coverage, which hasn’t maybe been done before on other channels, is access. Obviously ESPN is an American-based company and over in America the amount of access they get is quite alien to us. I was told that in MLS a month or two ago, Kasey Keller, the former Tottenham goalkeeper, was playing for Seattle Sounders and he got injured in the middle of a game.

The match was stopped to allow him to get treatment and the ESPN reporter went on the pitch and started to interview him as he hobbled off! In he went into the physio room, sat with him as he got strapped up, carried on the interview and walked back with him all the way back to between the sticks, then the game carried on.

It’s amazing. Can you imagine this weekend if Robert Green gets injured, on I go with my microphone, everyone is waiting as I walk across the pitch? I’m not sure that the Premier League in this country will ever take to that. I’m not sure we will get that far. However, we have already made great strides this season.

When we did Burnley’s trip to Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, I did a two-minute tour of the dressing room. I was amazed to be in there and I’m quite lucky, but I think for those fans at home it was a real insight. We saw the bathroom area, the warm-up area, even Frank Lampard’s locker with his name engraved on the front, and really gave people a view into a world they rarely get to see. That is what we are trying to achieve. We are trying to break new ground and be different.

When I covered Blue Square Premier games for a previous employer I often interviewed managers during the game - try doing that with Fergie. But at some point this season, and I have already pinpointed which game it is, I am going to try my Blue Square magic on a manager. I already know what manager it is, but I’m not going to say who because I will probably fail and I don’t want to set myself up for a fall! But I will try to speak to a manager during a game. I think I might be able to twist this manager’s arm, so look out for that viewers!

I also conduct the pre and post-match interviews and it is not easy to speak to managers when they have lost. It is all about getting the tone right. It is all about the moment they first walk into the interviewing room. When David Moyes first strode in after Everton lost 6-1 to Arsenal I could tell by his body language that he was obviously furious, but he was also in shock. So the last thing you do is start chitter-chattering away. It is crucial that you stay out of their way. There is nothing an interviewer can say after a defeat, and especially one like that, that will make them feel anything other than more annoyed.

But it does not always work out like that. After Aston Villa beat Liverpool, Rafa Benitez was great. I was concerned because Liverpool had not had a great start to the season but I met him pre-match and he was a real gentleman. He is one of the nicest managers I have interviewed. He is warm, genuine and respectful and he was the same post-match.

I will be encountering Rafa again for our live ESPN game between West Ham and Liverpool and I think it will be a good match. Both teams play good football, Upton Park has a great atmosphere and Liverpool’s travelling fans are fantastic. I’m really, really looking forward to it and hope you are too.

Do you want to ask ESPN's Premier League co-host, Rebecca Lowe, any questions about life behind-the-scenes at England's elite clubs or any wider issues affecting the game? Leave all your comments and queries below.

Comments

Posted by Tim on 18/09/2009

Keep up the good work Rebecca you put many of the blokes to shame.
What do you make of getting the managers to hold their own microphones? What do the managers think? I see you haven't done that in recent games. Did you ask Fergie to hold one and he said no? That would be brave of you!

When you get managers to analyse the goals on the screen like with Martin O'Neill it was good. Poor old Darrell Currie tried it with Tony Mowbray and he was given such a rude response by Mowbray.

As for interviewing managers during a match - go for it it should be interesting.

Posted by Glenn Harris on 21/09/2009

Does the Premiership have any requirement that managers or players make themselves available to the media post-match? Additionally, are there any fines/punishment for team personnel who make themselves unavailable or treat the media in a disrespectful manner?

I ask because the NFL (American Football) does both, but from manager/player behavior I've seen toward the media before it seems that heated confrontations with the media are expected/appreciated by the British public (e.g., Joe Kinnear vs. Newcastle media last season)?

Posted by John Quinn on 22/09/2009

Rebecca,

I live in Southern California and closely follow the Premier League. I didn't have the Setanta channel, so I would catch coverage on Fox Soccer Channel. It proved fantastic that ESPN picked up coverage this season, as we in the states now have access to more games.

This season I have watched two ESPN broadcasts and do not recall seeing any on field / behind the scenes reporting. Is this programing only occurring on the British ESPN broadcast?

All the best in your efforts to gain more access. The access here in the US in sports leagues like the NFL and NBA has expanded significantly in the past decade.

Best regards,

John

Posted by Michael Morris on 22/09/2009

Rebecca,
I am glad you found a job at ESPN. I only wish we got more of your work in the USA. Do you think that being a woman is an advantage for a sideline reporter? I could see it being a disadvantage sometimes, but at other times those feminine wiles and charm could really be an advantage.
Best wishes,
Michael and the WFD family

Posted by Kevin on 23/09/2009

Hi Rebecca,
Congratulations on the new gig! What you were doing before joining ESPN? Any advice for aspiring football journalists?