With Partners, ESPN Is Expanding in Filmmaking

ESPN dominates sports on television. Now, the cable heavyweight is making a run at the big screen.
ESPN said it would collaborate with Creative Artists Agency and Walt Disney Studios to produce and distribute theatrical films with sports themes. As part of the network's expansion in filmed entertainment, ESPN is also hiring 30 filmmakers to produce one-hour mini-movies to appear on the channel starting in September 2009.
"We see this as a new way to reach sports fans and engage them," said Keith Clinkscales, ESPN's senior vice president for content development. "A lot of people who spend time being engaged in ESPN also spend a lot of time going to the movies."
Movies will be financed by Walt Disney, which owns ESPN; outside investors; or a combination thereof. ESPN executives declined to comment on financial elements, except to say budgets would vary by project.NYT