ADVERTISEMENT WNBA Playoffs 2026 ESPN Operations, Production Teams Plan for Every Scenario as WNBA Playoffs Tip Off By: Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S. • Posted on: September 25, 2026 • 6 minute read ADVERTISEMENT With short turnaround between game selections, ESPN’s operations team is planning multiple scenarios so it can move trucks, crews, and gear the moment matchups are set. For the first time in more than two decades, ESPN and ABC are sharing WNBA broadcast rights with additional media partners — creating a brand-new operational challenge for the postseason tipping off this weekend. “As a result [of the new rights arrangement], our operations teams will have very short lead times to move mobile units, technical equipment, and personnel into position,” says Larry Wilson, Director, Remote Operations, ESPN. “A significant part of our postseason planning has been developing multiple scenarios in advance so that we can react quickly once the matchups and ESPN/ABC game selections are known.” Following the conclusion of play on last night (Sept. 24), ESPN’s programming team selected four of the next eight games, determining ESPN and ABC’s Game 1 broadcast locations for Sunday, Sept. 27 (New York at Minnesota at 2 p.m. ET, Indiana at Las Vegas at 4 p.m. ET, and Golden State at Dallas at 9 p.m.) and Wednesday, Sept. 30 (Game 2 of the Atlanta at Washington series at 7 p.m. ET). If a game is necessary on Oct. 1, that selection will be made following play on Sept. 29; a potential Oct. 2 game will be selected following play on Sept. 30. Operational Challenges: Planning Before the Matchups Are Set “Operationally, the largest challenge is logistics and the limited lead time between game selections and arriving at the next event site,” says Wilson. “That affects everything from mobile unit movements and crew travel to equipment and transmission planning.” ESPN will use Game Creek Video mobile units for its WNBA Playoffs coverage and, depending on the locations selected, these shows may need to utilize units that have not previously supported WNBA coverage this season. “The timing of the playoffs adds another wrinkle,” says Wilson. “At this point in the calendar, mobile units are transitioning into their fall sports assignments and, in some cases, undergoing upgrades or configuration changes.” As a result, a truck and crew arriving at a WNBA playoff game may effectively be working their first show of a new season or configuration. Wilson says this often requires rebuilding or adapting system files and workflows while operating within a very compressed setup schedule. “For Operations, much of the preparation is therefore taking place before we know exactly where we are going,” he says. “We are planning several potential truck movements, staffing scenarios, and technical configurations simultaneously so that once Programming makes its selections, we can execute quickly.” Game Coverage: More Cameras, Audio Access, and In-game Rules Analyst As it has all season, ESPN will continue to produce all WNBA Playoffs games in 1080p HDR. The bulk of ESPN’s game productions will feature seven manned cameras, with two to four licensed for super-slo-mo depending on the production model. In addition, these productions will continue to use robotic cameras above the rims (ATR) and fixed POV cameras below the rims (BTR). Beginning with the second round, select games will add an eighth manned camera as an RF handheld, along with a wireless DSLR system, giving the production team additional flexibility both on and off the court. ESPN also continues to push the all-access envelope, incorporating immersive audio elements that have become a staple of its WNBA coverage. Multiple players and coaches will wear mics throughout the playoffs, while ESPN will conduct interviews from the bench and other locations on and off the court. One major addition to ESPN’s 2026 WNBA regular season broadcasts that will continue for the Playoffs is the addition of in-game rules analyst Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling. Jenni Buonocore, REMI Operations Technical Operations Manager, coordinated and led the integration of Holtkamp-Sterling, who initially contributed from a voiceover booth at ESPN’s Bristol, CT campus. Following that success, the workflow evolved to incorporate the analyst via a Live From Home (LFH) kit from Holtkamp-Sterling’s home in Georgia. “Jenni worked closely with our LFH and Operations partners to ensure a smooth transition from the Bristol-based workflow to the LFH model, helping maintain continuity and operational excellence while supporting both REMI and REMCO productions without disruption,” says Meagan Norris, Supervisor, REMI Operations, ESPN. “Jenni’s planning and execution ensured a seamless implementation throughout the regular season.” Raising the Intensity: Same Production Philosophy, Higher Stakes ESPN delivered its most-watched WNBA regular season ever in 2026 — the third straight year ESPN has delivered its most-viewed WNBA regular season on record. And, heading into the postseason, ESPN’s approach to its WNBA coverage remains rooted in the same goal that guided the regular season: bringing fans closer to the players, teams, and stories that define the league. “What does change,” according to Hilary Guy, VP, Sports Production, ESPN, “ is the intensity and the stakes. There’s more history behind every possession and more urgency around every storyline,” she continues. “So, we’ll look for ways to capture that emotion while also giving fans the context they need to understand what’s unfolding. The postseason also offers the production team a chance to dig deeper into the personalities, rivalries, and storylines that have taken shape over the course of the season. That foundation was built during a regular season that coincided with the WNBA’s 30th anniversary, with the production group continuing to evolve how the league is presented across storytelling, access, game presentation, and studio coverage. “We’re incredibly proud of what this team accomplished, celebrating the 30th season of the WNBA,” says Rodney Vaughn, Coordinating Producer I, ESPN. “Our production group brought tremendous creativity, energy, and preparation to every window, while continuing to evolve how we present the WNBA to fans. Everyone embraced the opportunity to make each telecast feel important and distinctive. It was a terrific regular season, but our team also understands that the Playoffs are another level, and there’s a lot of excitement about building on that momentum.” A Look Back at 2026: A Regular Season Built on REMI Coming off a tumultuous 2026 offseason that resulted in a delayed schedule release, ESPN ramped up its WNBA production operations quickly in time for tipoff. The network’s native 1080p HDR productions — a major upgrade for this season — relied heavily on REMI and REMCO workflows with crews located back in Bristol. “From a REMI Operations perspective, the regular season highlighted the continued growth and development of the team,” says Norris. “By consistently staffing a core group of operators and maintaining a focus on development, we were able to strengthen our execution and build expertise in key areas such as Wired [miked up segments] and AWS [cloud-based] super-slo-mo.” During the FIBA break, Norris & Co. took advantage of the opportunity to collaborate with producers on a tape review session, giving replay operators feedback to refine their skills before the playoffs. “I am incredibly proud of what this team accomplished and how far we progressed over the course of the season,” adds Norris. “From our operational execution to our commitment to technical innovation, the team continually elevated the quality of our productions through initiatives such as HDR super-slo-mo, the addition of a rules analyst, and the implementation of Viz Libero [analysis and telestration] across all games.” Sharing Upcoming Events Top Stories Game Creek Video's Epic Building Run Continues With ESPN's 'Countdown' Unit, Upgrades to Four Others By: Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S. Posted on: September 28, 2026 PGA TOUR’s Michael Raimondo on Agentic Production, ShotLink Automation, and the Evolution of PGA TOUR Studios By: Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S. Posted on: September 28, 2026 Spectacular Content: LaLiga on the Global Football Production JV and Bringing in New Audiences By: Heather McLean, Editor, SVG Europe Posted on: September 28, 2026 More is More: Inside the Technical Broadcast Innovations for the LaLiga 2026/2027 Season By: Heather McLean, Editor, SVG Europe Posted on: September 28, 2026 WNBA Playoffs 2026 NBC Sports Tips Off First WNBA Postseason in 20+ Years Using Sunday Night Basketball as a Production Baseline By: Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S. Posted on: September 25, 2026 WNBA Playoffs 2026 Prime Video Scales Up for First WNBA Postseason, Adding Cameras, Analysts, Coach Mics, and NBA Mobile Units By: Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S. Posted on: September 25, 2026 SVG Remote Production Forum Goes Inside WBD's Techwood Facility, Maps the Next Phase of REMI Production Posted on: September 25, 2026 WNBA Playoffs 2026 ESPN Operations, Production Teams Plan for Every Scenario as WNBA Playoffs Tip Off By: Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S. Posted on: September 25, 2026 Presidents Cup Makes Leap to 1080p HDR as NBC Sports, PGA TOUR Step Up Coverage By: Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director Posted on: September 25, 2026 HBS Taps Ronald den Hollander as CEO By: Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director Posted on: September 25, 2026 SVG GameDay, Ep. 32: National Hockey League's John Bochiaro — Leading the League's In-Venue Efforts By: Kristian Hernández, Senior Editor Posted on: September 25, 2026 Op-Ed: Planning Media Day When the Calendar Isn’t Certain - How MLB Clubs Can Prepare for 2027 Now Posted on: September 24, 2026 Read more Latest Headlines posts ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Game Creek Video's Epic Building Run Continues With ESPN's 'Countdown' Unit, Upgrades to Four Others By Jon Morgan, Founder and Executive Producer, Ryval Studios For... 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