By Ashley Sharge
NEW YORK — The gala ceremony was hosted by The Kid Mero and presented live at the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. The live in-person ceremony was sold out and filled with more than 1,200 attendees including a star-studded group of sports television personalities and distinguished guests by the evening’s host, The Kid Mero.
Highlights of the award show included the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Honor to legendary sportscaster and three-time Emmy Award-winner, James Brown. JB said, “I never thought about a Lifetime Achievement Award, more than humbling.”
The biggest influences in Brown’s career were his mother and father. He said “it starts a foundation, and that foundation gave me the determination, perseverance and perspiration.”
Image Credit: The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS)
Brown’s favorite sports moment: “It’s a human interest story, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with 12 Special Olympians, whose sole aim was to prove to the world they were just as success driven as able bodied athletes by making it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. It was the most emotional story that I’ve been a part of.”
He was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by Sean McManus, former Chairman, CBS Sports. Other notable presenters included Siera Santos, Mina Kimes, Pedro Martinez, Noah Eagle, Tom Rinaldi, Kaylee Hartung, Mina Kimes, Valeria Marin, Miguel Gurwitz, Kyle Brandt, Nate Burleson, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Tracy Wolfson. Tracy also won an award for Outstanding Sideline Reporter.
Noah Eagle, the son of CBS-TV and Brooklyn Nets Ian Eagle, picked up his first award, and stated, “It’s not what you get into the business for but getting nominated was incredible in its own right. But more than anything it shows the belief that NBC has had in me on some really big events.”
Ian Eagle with his son Noah – Image Credit: Getty Images
Outstanding Studio Host went to Erine Johnson, a veteran of 47 years of broadcasting, who gave an emotional acceptance speech and said, later, “I’m thankful and lucky. I have several of these, but they all mean something special. We’re not in it for this, but when they come along, it’s nice.”
Johnson continued as Outstanding Play by Play broadcaster went to Mike Breen, Event Analyst Greg Olsen, Studio Analyst Charles Barkley and Spanish Personality Andres Cantos.
