To capitalize on the wave of ’90s nostalgia that is sweeping the nation during the pandemic, ESPN will be airing three specials this weekend that celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Worldwide Leader’s “This is SportsCenter” ad campaign.
The humorous ads, which began airing in 1995 and still air to this day, give viewers a look at ESPN’s Bristol campus and feature top athletes as well as the biggest names at the network. Team mascots are also featured.
“This is Sportscenter” with @michaelandretti @lindacohn @SuzyKolber @espn pic.twitter.com/N8eJ6HBmdN
— Champweb (@champwebdotnet) March 21, 2019
Starting at noon on Sunday, ESPN will air The Best of This is SportsCenter: 25 Years and Counting, The Best of This is SportsCenter: The Superstars and The Best of This is SportsCenter: Mascot Mayhem.
Elle Duncan and Steve Levy will serve as the hosts for the trilogy of specials.
Manny Machado tries his hand at watching children in a brand new 'This is Sportscenter commercial.
(commercial courtesy of ESPN)https://t.co/UpfDGagWHd pic.twitter.com/zViTwzmGyk
— Cut4 (@Cut4) September 6, 2019
Ernest Lupinacci, a former copywriter at Wieden & Kennedy, told Front Office Sports that ESPN is smart to highlight the campaign to try and re-engage sports fans.
“The campaign said, ‘we get you as a consumer.’ If you think these ads are funny, smart, and inside sports, wait till you watch the show,” said Lupinacci. “The ads were for a show: SportsCenter. But it had a halo effect of building the ESPN brand.”
Happy birthday, @keyshawn!
Who remembers the This Is SportsCenter spot with @kobebryant and Stuart Scott? 😂 (via @espn) pic.twitter.com/9d5Lmcpaw6
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 22, 2019
Since the campaign began in 1995, ESPN has produced more than 400 “This is SportsCenter” spots.
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