Behind the Scenes of Live Sports Broadcasting with Evan Ellis

Read the transcript

In this episode, Kendall sits down with Evan Ellis, a live sports television producer, former Yale football player and creator of Producing Smoke, to explore the art of sports broadcasting, the power of storytelling and the challenges of personal reinvention.

Evan takes us behind the scenes of live college sports production, sharing how producers, directors and camera crews work together to bring football, basketball and baseball games to life. He traces his unconventional journey from a small town in Tennessee to Yale, his early dreams of becoming a play-by-play announcer and his eventual discovery of a passion for producing live television.

But there’s much more to Evan’s story than sports. He opens up about his mental health struggles, losing more than 150 pounds, fatherhood and navigating an unexpected career transition from Virginia Tech to NC State.

Along the way, we explore what it means to lead with encouragement, create an inclusive workplace, embrace vulnerability and find the courage to get off the sidelines and become an active participant in your own life.

Whether you’re interested in sports media, television production, career changes or simply the stories that connect us, Evan’s perspective offers a compelling reminder that everyone has a story worth telling.

Follow Evan: Producing Smoke on Instagram and TikTok.

Guest: Evan Ellis