ESPN Apologizes for Decades-Long Emmy Awards Scheme

The network submitted false names to the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to circumvent Emmy Awards rules.

ESPN has issued an apology to the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) in light of a report that the network submitted fake names for Emmy Awards consideration and had to return 37 trophies given to on-air talent as a result. 

“Some members of our team were clearly wrong in submitting certain names that may go back to 1997 in Emmy categories where they were not eligible for recognition or statuettes,” ESPN said in a statement released Thursday, per The Athletic. 

“This was a misguided attempt to recognize on-air individuals who were important members of our production team,” the statement continued. “Once current leadership was made aware, we apologized to NATAS for violating guidelines and worked closely with them to completely overhaul our submission process to safeguard against anything like this happening again.”

ESPN producers were discovered to have used false names for award categories and gave trophies to on-air personalities who weren’t eligible under NATAS rules, according to The Athletic’s Katie Strang. The phony names, largely associated with the College GameDay show, resembled those of on-air talent and were submitted as “associate producers.” 

Several of ESPN’s “College GameDay” personalities received Emmy Awards for which they were not eligible.  :: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today network

For instance, “Dirk Howard” was submitted for Desmond Howard. “Erik Andrews” was the name given in place of Erin Andrews, “Kirk Henry” for Kirk Herbstreit, and so forth, as those personalities were eligible to win individual awards but not as part of a show. The actual names were re-engraved on the trophy plates before being given to the recipients, who weren’t aware of the false pretenses. 

NATAS learned of the practice dating back to at least 2010 after an investigation. ESPN later conducted its own review of the matter. As a result, ESPN vice president Craig Lazarus, former senior vice president Lee Fitting and College GameDay coordinating producer Drew Gallagher were “ruled ineligible from future Emmy participation.”

College GameDay was awarded eight Emmys for outstanding weekly studio show from 2008 through ’18.