30 for 30 Podcasts

ABOUT THIS ENTRY

30 for 30 Podcasts presents original audio documentaries from the makers of the acclaimed 30 for 30 film series, featuring stories from the world of sports and beyond. This season is highlighted by “Murder at the U,” an investigative look at the long-unsolved murder of a Miami Hurricanes football player and the painful road his family traveled to seek justice. ESPN’s investigative reporting for this project plays a critical role in that march toward the light of truth.

How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?

In telling a rich, powerful story that brings together sports, true crime, and an unforgettable legal saga, this season of 30 for 30 Podcasts manages to elevate its storytelling to a new level. From record-setting fan engagement to solidifying a sense of investigative gravitas, the series has bolstered its reputation for the highest level of sports storytelling, exploring subject matter that resonates far beyond spaces where games are played. It is a testament to the richness of ethical journalism, dynamic production value, and above all, a dedication to seeking out meaningful human stories and getting them right.

Objective

The 30 for 30 Podcasts series aims to tell groundbreaking stories that transcend the world of sports, presented through an engaging and dynamic audio lens. These stories are chosen due to the unique and powerful way that the audio format can reach audiences, with the format providing an opportunity to dig deeper and ask thought-provoking, challenging questions. This season’s showcase project, “Murder at the U,” was born out of a single burning question: how is it that the killing of a high-profile athlete remained unsolved for so long? With that prompt at the heart of the project, the series takes listeners on an in-depth journey into a major athletic program that has flirted with danger in the past, a grieving family still struggling to process their unimaginable loss, and an investigation unable to sustain the necessary momentum. The timing of the project was intended to coincide with major breaks in the case – prompted in part by ESPN’s own investigative reporting – and to culminate in a long-awaited trial. Above all, the intent was to tell a compelling story about a shattered family and to open listeners’ perspective on how the devastating loss of a life can lead to unimaginable long-term consequences for so many.

Strategy & Execution

While the 30 for 30 Podcasts series has a well-established reputation for investigative integrity, “Murder at the U” represents a major leap forward in this space. ESPN’s own reporting has played a critical role in the case, including breaking developments that helped nudge the legal process forward. This presents a rare opportunity to engage fans in a new way, bringing them into not only the sports landscape of the story but also the powerful legal machinations that may have otherwise seemed unfamiliar in this space. This includes balancing police and legal developments in the case with colorful background on the University of Miami and its storied football program. As many sports fans have become more sophisticated consumers of subject matter like true crime and personality profiles beyond the arena, great care was taken to weave these different threads together in a way that still felt accessible and engaging.

Organizations

• 30 for 30 Podcasts

• ESPN

Links

•   Website

Credits

Preeti Varathan
Senior Podcast Producer
ESPN Films

Brian Lockhart
Executive Producer
ESPN Films

Marsha Cooke
Executive Producer
ESPN Films

Catherine Sankey
Line Producer
ESPN Films

Tara Nadolny
Associate Director of Development
ESPN Films

Gus Navarro
Associate Producer
ESPN Films

Jennifer Thorpe
Director, Content Business Operations
ESPN Films

Maria Delgado
Production Manager
ESPN Films

Megan Judge
Senior Director, ESPN Audio Distribution and Marketing Integration
ESPN

Devon McGowan
Associate Director, ESPN Audio Brand and Content Marketing
ESPN

Jarret Gabel
Manager Creative Developer, ESPN Creative Studio
ESPN

Garrett Siegel
Creative Developer, ESPN Creative Studio
ESPN

Lori Higginbotham
Strategy & Integration Director, ESPN Creative Studio
ESPN

Eric Paul
Creative Director, ESPN Creative Studio
ESPN