(SUNRISE, FL) – The Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) recognized Fox Sports Net Florida for programming and production excellence by nominating the network for an Emmy Award for its 2003 coverage of Florida Marlins baseball. Jeff Genthner, Fox Sports Net Florida's Senior Vice President and General Manager, made the announcement.
Veteran baseball director James Holly and first year producer Brett Opdyke oversee Fox Sports Net's Marlins telecasts. The 2003 MLB season was the second year for Fox Sports Net's play-by-play announcer Len Kasper and pre-game host and stadium reporter Craig Minervini, and the seventh season for color analyst Tommy Hutton. The executive producer of Marlins baseball on Fox Sports Net is Brad Heard. Fox Sports Net is looking to make it two years in a row, having received an Emmy Award for its 2002 Florida Marlins baseball coverage.
"We are truly grateful to the members of the Suncoast Chapter of NATAS for this most distinguished recognition for our production and programming efforts," said Genthner. "Executive producer Brad Heard and our entire Marlins production crew did an exceptional job this year following the Marlins throughout this historic season, including three games in Puerto Rico and the post-game champagne celebration after winning the National League Wild Card berth. As if that wasn't enough, they also introduced the first-ever Spanish language television simulcasts of Marlins baseball, via SAP, featuring announcers Raul Striker, Jr. and Cookie Rojas.
Fox Sports Net Florida's nomination was received in the following category:
Outstanding Achievement for Sports Events, Live Events/Game Coverage:
Florida Marlins Baseball – Brad Heard, executive producer; James Holly, director;
Brett Opdyke, producer
The 2003 Suncoast Emmy Awards will be presented on Saturday, December 6, 2003. The Suncoast Chapter of NATAS presents Emmy Awards in the Southeastern United States, including Florida and
regions of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Puerto Rico.
Fox Sports Net Florida reaches more than 4.9 million households in Florida. Fox Sports Net Florida's programming includes Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers, the University of Miami, and the University of South Florida, The Best Damn Sports Show Period, NASCAR and 54321. Fox Sports Net Florida is managed by Rainbow Sports Networks.
Rainbow Sports Networks is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC). Fox Sports Net reaches more than 79 million households nationwide and is a service of National Sports Partners, equally owned by Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, and Fox Entertainment Group. Rainbow Sports Networks incorporates Rainbow's 50% ownership in Fox Sports Net and Fox Sports National Advertising and the ownership and management of Fox Sports Net regional networks in five of the nation's largest markets: Chicago, San Francisco, New England, Ohio and Florida.