ESPN is receiving some criticism for a decision the network made during a college basketball telecast on Monday night.
Late in the game between the Duke Blue Devils and NC State Wolfpack, an individual in the Duke student section had a medical incident that caused a stoppage in play.
Immediately following a shot clock violation with 3:30 left in the game, ESPN cameras began to capture Duke students trying to draw attention to something happening in the student section. Seconds later, the network’s microphones picked up someone in the building screaming, “Hey! Come here real quick! Come here! Quick, quick!” presumably trying to alert on-site medical staff about the incident.
Then, ESPN cameras focused in on what appeared to be several members of the security team hauling an unconscious individual out of the stands, onto the sidelines, and then off the court.
Scary scene at Duke as a student appears to have fallen unconscious and is carried out of the stands. pic.twitter.com/zorOptyLzv
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 28, 2025
“It looks like the young lady has passed out here, and they are taking her away. Wow,” ESPN play-by-play announcer Dave O’Brien said.
The decision to show the full incident drew criticism from some on social media.
Awful choice to show that entire thing.
— Drew (@DTaylor_19) January 28, 2025
Genuinely hope she’s okay. I understand why they carried her off to get her treated asap, but the fact ESPN showed it happening is pretty tasteless. Kinda felt like they were more concerned about the game continuing than her condition. https://t.co/Xf6mg4KyAt
— Will Rainbolt (@willajrainbolt) January 28, 2025
It’s absolutely sickening @espn kept the camera on this poor girl whose parents were probably watching https://t.co/j0qC7jei5p
— Ryan Stanzel Checkmark (@rstanzel) January 28, 2025
terrible choice by @espn to keep the camera focused on her.
— Jonathan Koziol (@jonathan_koziol) January 28, 2025
Should not have been shown
— Chase Anschultz (@ChaseAnschultz) January 28, 2025
It’s never easy in a live broadcast setting to decide what should and shouldn’t be shown, especially when something as sensitive as a person’s health is involved. But the way ESPN handled this situation was tactless.
ESPN could have just as easily aired tight shots of the players, coaches, or even fan reactions without showing what appeared to be a serious medical episode. In these scenarios, it’s best that the announcers describe to viewers what is happening while respecting the privacy of the individual by not showing them on live television.
That’s easier said than done. ESPN’s director can’t predict the future, and likely wasn’t entirely sure what was happening in the moment. However, once it became apparent that a fan was unconscious, the smart thing to do would’ve been to cut away from the shot rather than show the full episode like they did.
About Drew Lerner
Drew Lerner is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and an aspiring cable subscriber. He previously covered sports media for Sports Media Watch. Future beat writer for the Oasis reunion tour.