How ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt and ‘Bad Beats’ keep ‘SportsCenter’ fresh in a YouTube world

As a seasoned sports journalist with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing countless athletes, from legends to rising stars. It’s not just about getting good content; it’s about creating a connection and making them feel comfortable enough to share their raw emotions and thoughts.

In 2015, it seemed as though the days were numbered for ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” as more young sports enthusiasts began relying on YouTube and other digital platforms for game summaries instead.

The reason behind Disney’s subsidiary opting for Scott Van Pelt was to give a fresh perspective to their late-night flagship program. As an experienced ESPN radio host and golf reporter, he brought a sharp wit and casual tone that quickly drew in more young viewers compared to the conventional news shows on broadcast networks with desks and sofas.

The competitive environment has grown even tougher with the rise of pay-TV cord-cutting and streaming services impacting traditional media. However, Van Pelt, who recently started his 10th season, continues to prosper as ESPN has transformed his “SportsCenter” into a post-game show for their major events such as “Monday Night Football.

In simpler terms, Van Pelt frequently garners attention through traditional methods, such as large introductions from live events. As ESPN faces competition from streaming services and prepares for a future without cable where it’s directly accessible to consumers, these event introductions have grown increasingly crucial.

On April 5th, an episode of “SportsCenter” by Van Pelt attracted 6.3 million viewers, setting a record as the most-watched episode in the show’s history based on Nielsen ratings. This was after it broadcasted the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four game between the University of Connecticut and Iowa. Previously, when it aired following the College Football Playoff championship game on Jan. 8, it garnered 3.4 million viewers. Additionally, it surpassed 2.2 million viewers or more on three separate occasions after airing NFL games last season.

This year, for the first time, Van Pelt hosted his show from the U.S. Open Tennis Championship in Queens, New York. Following one of his victories, Novak Djokovic made an appearance at the “SportsCenter” desk, beaming like an overjoyed fan. In other words, after winning a match, Djokovic visited the “SportsCenter” desk with a broad smile on his face.

The program continues to be must-see TV due to its popular segment “Bad Beats,” which serves as a cautionary tale for gamblers, similar to the show “Scared Straight.” In this segment, hosts Van Pelt and Stanford Steve Coughlin analyze videos of what appear to be foolproof bets that unexpectedly fail.

At the age of 58, he has three young kids, which means he’s immersed in the modern methods of watching videos, a world light years different from his childhood with analog technology.

In a recent chat at ESPN’s office in Bristol, Connecticut, Van Pelt explained, “I was like the remote control.” He added, “Back in the old days, I’d say ‘Hey Buzz, change to channel 4,’ referring to our huge Zenith TV that weighed an enormous seven tons.

While ESPN looks to evolve, Van Pelt is along for the ride but isn’t about to change his act.

Do you ever find yourself appearing on television as if you’re a welcomed guest in someone’s home, with your suit, tie, and pocket square? Given the success of Pat McAfee’s ESPN show, which has a casual vibe reminiscent of a rec room yet manages to draw high-profile guests, do you feel any pressure to adjust the format of your show to appeal more to a younger audience?

Visitors understand these spots are highly sought-after destinations.

I strongly feel that we’ve effectively developed an engaging environment suitable for our host, viewers, coaches, and players. They are well aware of the nature of our program. It has primarily transformed into a post-game analysis show for major events, and I think the reason people stay tuned during these significant moments is because they know exactly what they’re going to experience.

In a modern context, athletes increasingly produce their own content through podcasts and TikTok videos. This self-expression could potentially present challenges when attempting to extract meaningful insights during interviews on other platforms. Is this something that you’ve encountered in your professional experience?

For many years now, it’s been my privilege to have been involved in this for such an extended period. This year, we were fortunate enough to host Caitlin Clark. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Caitlin Clark personally. However, she was incredibly kind, and while we were waiting to go on stage, she shared with me how she’s admired my work for a long time. In that moment, it struck me – “Wow, I must seem quite old to her.” After all, I’ve been doing this for as long as she’s been alive. Yet, even in our first encounter, we weren’t strangers; she was already familiar with my work.

I don’t consider myself as a Johnny Carson-like figure. In fact, I’m just as casual on air as I am talking to you now. This makes me easy to approach for the audience. I’m not trying to extract anything more than the answers to the questions I ask. Since I often interview you with your jersey still on and sweat still on your shoulders, I can capture the genuine response like, “You just made it to another Final Four,” and delve into the important aspects of that moment. If the content isn’t good, then that’s my responsibility.

Initially, discussions about sports betting were scarce on television. Today, with the advent of apps like ESPN Bet, it seems as though everyone has developed a habit that borders on excessive gambling.

We’re in the bookmaking business. Who would have dreamt?

You’re in the promotions for ESPN Bet. Do you use the app?

I don’t. I’ve never been an app-based gambler. I was the guy that had a guy.

Are you still using a bookie?

Isn’t that against the law, though? I’d certainly never engage in anything unlawful. Heaven forbid! Who would dare to do such a thing?

Was it a tough sell to get that segment on at the time?

During our pre-show conversation with John Wildhack, previously from ESPN’s programming department, I mentioned my plan for a segment titled “Bad Beats.” Unphased by my idea, he remained composed. His composure was impressive considering the legality of the concept wasn’t as straightforward back then as it is now. I hadn’t anticipated that this segment would ultimately become one of our show’s biggest hits.

People frequently discuss “Bad Beats” and I often ask if they gamble. More often than not, they respond by saying they don’t gamble but enjoy contemplating the potential mishaps. It seems unlikely to me, but it actually occurs daily.

And it’s funny.

There’s something about shared misery. We laugh to keep from crying. In my office in Washington, D.C., I have a bet slip for the all-timer of all-timers: Virginia and Abilene Christian. Abilene Christian was getting 38 1/2 points and they lost on the last play of the (college football) game. It was the most preposterous thing you’ve ever seen, and Stanford Steve says on the show, “Who bet on this game?” A man from Kentucky mailed me his bet slip. It’s the reminder some poor schmuck had Abilene Christian, and so we owe it to that man to properly document what happened and try our best to laugh in a way that’s comforting.

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2024-09-23 21:33