SVG All-Stars: Deanna Benjamin, Supervisor, REMI Operations, ESPN

Having cut her teeth in tech ops, this Arizona State grad helps innovate live-production workflows

In an era when sports production is evolving faster than ever, a new generation of leaders is beginning to make its mark on the industry. Our SVG All-Stars series explores the journey of the industry’s rising executives, showcasing their experiences and career highlights in the business, overarching philosophy and leadership strategy, technological and creative innovation, and where they see the industry headed. Join us as we uncover the story behind their ascent and the impact they are having in an ever-evolving industry.

It’s cliché, but to find success and fulfillment in a profession related to live sports-video production, you have to have a passion for it — a passion not for just the finished product but for every tiny detail that leads to it.

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who better embodies the combined passion and attention to detail than Deanna Benjamin, supervisor, REMI operations, ESPN.

Deanna Benjamin is supervisor, REMI operations, ESPN.

Benjamin’s relentless work ethic, sharp mind, and empathetic leadership style have made her a critical fit for ESPN. She oversees the company’s rapidly growing and evolving remote-integration (or, as it is commonly referred to, REMI) production model.

After getting her start as an editor at Major League Baseball, Benjamin locked on at ESPN in 2014, working as a freelancer in event technical operations for Sunday Night Baseball on and off for six years. She made a brief, two-year stop at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports to manage remote operations for live events at Bleacher Report before returning to ESPN in late 2023 to help oversee the broadcaster’s growing REMI operations.

Benjamin at the 2023 US Open with ESPN Senior Operations Producer Joa O’Connor

In this week’s edition of SVG All-Stars, Benjamin shares her career journey, unpacks how REMI production models are becoming an impactful segment of the live-sports-production business, and why it’s critical in one’s career — especially as a woman — to “surround yourself with people who will advocate for you in rooms you aren’t in.”

What are the key responsibilities of your current role?
I manage the planning, execution, and support of all live event productions, specifically within Sunday Night Baseball, college baseball and softball, and Little League World Series, ensuring seamless operations from start to finish. As a supervisor, I lead a team of technical operators working within a REMI production model, overseeing their performance and growth. I conduct quarterly assessments and annual reviews to provide feedback and support career development.

Benjamin at the 2019 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Tournament. She considers it one of the most exciting and memorable events she has worked.

My role involves collaborating with key stakeholders across multiple departments — including Production Operations, Content Production, Directing, Creative Studio, and Engineering — to align technical and operational strategies. I focus on optimizing workflows by implementing efficient production solutions using existing systems and technologies.

What is one key industry trend that you believe is having a major impact on your organization right now?
The continued enhancement of technology to better support large and technically complex productions, in addition to efficient workflows for smaller productions. Enhancing and finding new ways to leverage technology to allow our teams to tell the best stories of the event is and will always be a focus.

What is one core philosophy you try to live by when managing your team/operation?
I try to lead with respect and grace, knowing firsthand what it’s like to start at the bottom and work your way up. I’m passionate about helping people grow, both personally and professionally, and I believe building strong relationships and a sense of community is a big part of that. I love putting together team-bonding events or friendly competitions to get people working together who might not otherwise cross paths. Seeing those little inside jokes and shared moments come to life makes the workplace more fun and creates a stronger, more connected team.

What is your favorite event(s) you’ve ever worked?
One of the most exciting and memorable events I’ve worked on was the 2019 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Tournament in Abu Dhabi, UAE. I spent 12 days there working with the facilities team, operators, event directors, and local staff to help bring the broadcast to life. It was an incredible experience not just professionally but culturally. I loved learning about the deep significance of jiu-jitsu in the country and witnessing the passion behind it. The team I worked with was incredibly respectful, hardworking, and dedicated to putting on a world-class event. The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation upheld an impressive standard of organization, and, from the moment we left LAX, my team was given top-tier hospitality, making us feel truly welcomed every step of the way.

Benjamin was proud to be a part of ESPN’s 2023 US Open operations crew, which featured a strong roster of women.

How did you get started in sports production? What was your first real job in the business?
I was fortunate to get my start in sports production right after college. I attended Arizona State, where I was surrounded by professional sports, which made it the perfect environment to learn and grow. My first role was as a stage manager for arena football, and, whenever that position wasn’t needed, I would ask to shadow different roles in the production truck. I took notes, observed, and slowly started to understand how all the pieces came together.

Right after graduating, I was offered a role as an operations assistant on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. That’s where I met [Senior Operations Producer] Joa O’Connor, who became not only my mentor but also a dear friend. She had endless patience for everything I didn’t know at the time, and that first season was a huge wake-up call. I quickly realized how much I had to learn if I wanted to succeed in this industry. I spent the next 13 years working on the operations side for multiple networks, constantly growing and evolving in my career.

Just like every newcomer to ESPN, Benjamin took her official ‘sign photo.’ In a fitting twist of fate, the day she took this picture marked exactly 11 years since she first started as a freelancer on Sunday Night Baseball.

What’s one piece of advice you have for someone just starting their career in this industry?
First and foremost, Happy Women’s History Month! My biggest piece of advice for someone just starting out in this industry is to surround yourself with people who will advocate for you in rooms you aren’t in. Over the years, I’ve seen more and more women stepping into this side of the business, which has been incredibly inspiring. I’m passionate about being an advocate for bringing even more women into this space.

If you’re just starting out, be curious: ask questions, absorb everything like a sponge, and stay hungry to grow. I’ve made it a point to connect with women in the industry, learning about their journeys and the steps they took to get where they are today. Now more than ever, women are uplifting and supporting each other in this field.

Stay in touch with your network and, when you learn a new skill or take on a new role, share it with your circle. The people you build relationships with will be the ones who support you, fight for you, and open doors for you — just as you should for them.

To read more of the SVG All-Stars series, CLICK HERE.