ESPN Sets Domestic Violence In Sports Special

ESPN will tackle the issue of domestic violence in sports in a Nov. 11 one-hour special, the network said Friday.

The Outside The Lines Special – “Domestic Violence and Sports: Out of the Shadows,” special, hosted by veteran sports journalist Bob Ley, will continue the network’s extensive reporting on the subject of domestic violence, said network officials. Panelists for the special include espnW’s Jane McManus; NFL executive Vice President of football operations Troy Vincent; and Shawnda Wilkinson, ex-wife of “Big Daddy” Wilkinson.

Outside the Lines wanted to produce this special so our audience could better understand the impact domestic violence has on the victims, the perpetrators, the teams and the leagues,” said ESPN senior coordinating producer Dwayne Bray in a statement. “We hope the stories and discussion we present in this special enhance our audience’s understanding of the issue.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.