Beyond the Buzzer: Los Wizards
The 7th Annual Awards
- Excellence in Latinx & Hispanic Storytelling
ABOUT THIS ENTRY
In this segment, viewers get to see Spanish-language broadcasters, Greivis Vásquez and Moisés Linares, in action during the first ever Washington Wizards Spanish Language Broadcast calling the NBA Mexico 2024 game against the Miami Heat in Mexico City. Beyond the Buzzer documented this historic broadcast to share with viewers and educate Wizards fans on what it takes to put on a dual English/Spanish broadcast, while highlighting the stories of the broadcasters who are paving the way for increased Spanish-language coverage.
How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?
The “Los Wizards” segment on Beyond the Buzzer represents excellence in engagement through the storytelling of what it means to Greivis Vásquez and Moisés Linares to be able to call and analyze an NBA game in their native language of Spanish. By documenting the first ever Wizards Spanish Alternate broadcast, this sets a new standard in fan engagement and raises the bar, not only for MNMT’s future Alt-Cast Programming, but for regional sports networks across the country. This NBA Mexico 2024 broadcast was just the first in a slate of Spanish-Language broadcasts for the Wizards 2024-25 season. And the first Spanish-language local TV broadcast among the four major sports teams (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL) in D.C.
Objective
Beyond the Buzzer showcases behind-the-scenes Washington Wizards moments, on-and-off-court content, in-depth interviews, and stories about fans and friends of the team. In this segment, viewers get to see Spanish-language broadcasters, Greivis Vásquez and Moisés Linares, in action during the first ever Washington Wizards Spanish Language Broadcast calling the NBA Mexico 2024 game against the Miami Heat in Mexico City.
Monumental Sports Network’s (MNMT) expanded and reimagined alternate broadcasts represent a pioneering step in the regional sports media landscape and set a new standard for fan engagement. Beyond the Buzzer documented this historic broadcast to share with viewers and educate Wizards fans on what it takes to put on a dual English/Spanish broadcast, while highlighting the stories of the broadcasters who are paving the way for increased Spanish-language coverage.
Strategy & Execution
By making Wizards games accessible in Spanish, Monumental is not only connecting with the dynamic Hispanic community in the D.C. area, but also inviting a wider range of fans to join in the excitement with content delivered in language and in culture. Our production team used a behind-the-scenes approach to learn more about the talent driving the alt cast – their backgrounds in sports and broadcasting, and what motivates them to expand access to the game they love.
As Moisés Linares points out, often second and third generation immigrant families are bilingual and are consuming content in both English and Spanish. They might not totally understand what is going on in the game in English, but then to have Greivis Vásquez, a former NBA player, comment on a play in their native language of Spanish, they’re able to fully comprehend the game to a fuller level and appreciate the nuances of the sport, thus becoming more invested fans.
Organizations
- Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Links
Credits
Jim Kowats
Executive Producer
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
David Konschnik
Series Producer
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Pavani Srinivasan
Producer
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Arthur Binkowski
Editor
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Anne Marie Huntington
Associate Producer
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Pippa Lincoln Lenderking
Associate Producer and Camera Operator
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Patrick Stump
Assistant Editor
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Brett Wiley
Director of Photography
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Mansa Johnson
Camera Operator
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Greg Breazeale
Audio Technician
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Wes Hall
Host
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Paul Turner
Vice President, Production
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Amy Boyce
Director of Production
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Scott Silberstein
Sr. Media Manager
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Delaney Murtaugh
Sr. Manager of Creative Operations
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Amina Ragheb
Post Production Coordinator
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Patrick Hare
Production Manager
Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Alexandra Kreger
Production Manager
Monumental Sports and Entertain
Celebrate in NYC
Join us for the 7th Annual Hashtag Sports Awards™ on the evening of June 24, 2025 as we celebrate finalists and reveal the winners of this year's awards live during the show.
