Stoppage time is a real drag for USWNT stars in ESPN's latest spot

Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn and Sophia Smith all appear in new 'This Is SportsCenter' commercial by Arts & Letters

Published On
Jan 17, 2023

Editor's Pick

Ever been in a meeting that went on way beyond where it was meant to? That's how soccer stars feel when stoppage time is added.

This is the scenario that plays out in a new ESPN "This Is SportsCenter" spot that dropped on Monday night, during the NFL Super Wild Card weekend matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The creative, developed in partnership with Arts & Letters and directed by Jim Jenkins at O Positive, features US Women's National Team soccer stars Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn and Sophia Smith, alongside SportsCenter anchors Nicole Briscoe and Jay Harris.

The comical scene takes place in an ESPN meeting room where Harris is walking Rapinoe, Sauerbrunn, Smith and University of Connecticut mascot Jonathan the Husky through "quarterly usage figures" -- that is, usage, of stuff like paper clips sand office supplies rather than players or goals. But just as the clock strikes and the group gets ready to leave, the referee appears with nine minutes of added time. Joy turns to fury, although Harris is delighted to carry on. 

This is the third "This is SportsCenter" commercial to return since the return of the long-running series in late December with work developed by Arts & Letters. More ads will launch throughout the year featuring Olympic Gold Medalist Sydney McLaughlin, along with more athletes, mascots and SportsCenter anchors such as Hannah Storm. 

Credits

Date
Jan 17, 2023
Client :
ESPN
Agency :
Arts & Letters Creative Co.
EVP Marketing and Social Media :
Laura Gentile
VP Brand Marketing :
Seth Ader
Senior Director Brand Marketing :
Peter Mulally
Associate Director Brand Marketing :
John Lobo
Marketing Coordinator :
Lenny Washington
Director Talent Production :
Stacey Pressman
Sr Talent Producer :
Katie Hennessey
Associate Director Marketing Production :
Matt Cheron
Associate Producer Marketing Production :
Jonathan Little
Associate Producer :
Cameron Gross
Production Coordinator :
David Wimberley
Production Coordinator :
Thomas Hamilton
Social Media Manager :
J'Ron Erby
Sr Social Media Specialist :
Jordan Toczynski
Social Media Manager :
Lauren Giudice
Social Media Specialist :
Allie Snow
Director Talent Management :
Chris Duffy
Talent Relations Manager :
Kalidia Reyes
Founder/ECD :
Charles Hodges
Head of Production :
Temma Shoaf
Director of Strategy :
Andy Grayson
Creative Director :
Andrew Kong
Creative Director :
NJ Placentra
Creative Director :
Molly Jamison
Creative :
Scott Hayes
Creative :
Chris Kim
Executive Producer :
Calleen Colburn
Senior Producer :
Andrea Rodriguez
Assistant Producer :
Austin Butler
Director of Business Affairs :
Lenora Cushing
Assistant Business Affairs Manager :
Jennifer Kmetzsch
Group Business Director :
Brenda Schneider
Business Director :
Hill Shore
Business Manager :
Lauren Lawson
Director of Operations :
Adrian Mojica
Executive Producer :
Whitney Green
Resource Manager :
Ryan Dunstan
Senior Producer :
Lauren Galanides
Edit Lead :
Pat Blumer
Assistant Editor :
Sho Kellam
Assistant Editor :
Rachel Hamburger
Production Company :
O Positive
Director :
Jim Jenkins
Executive Producer :
Marc Grill
DP :
Vince Vennitti
Production Designer :
Toni Barton
Post Production :
Company3
Colorist :
Tim Masick
Color Producer :
Ryan Moncrief
Color Assistant :
Stephen Winterhalter
VFX :
Parliament
Creative Lead :
Nathan Kane
Creative Lead :
Kathleen Kirkman
Production :
Anna Kravtsov
Production :
Kat Maidment
Production :
Sebastien Le Coz
Sound :
Barking Owl
Sound Designer & Mixer :
Elizabeth McClanahan
Executive Producer :
Ashley Benton
Associate Producer :
Jenna Pangilinan
Creative Director :
Kelly Bayett

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