SVG All-Stars: Cindy Pennington, Operations Specialist, ESPN

The Kentucky native is an integral behind-the-scenes leader on countless remotes

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 new 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.

Anyone whose worked in sports television knows that the operations team gets. things. done. It takes a cool, smart, confident leader to oversee the setup of a complex live event production, whether its a live game, a studio show, or a major activation like a Draft. At the juggernaut that is ESPN, one of the best at filling that essential role is Cindy Pennington.

ESPN’s Cindy Pennington serving as Operations Specialist at the 2024 PGA Championship at Vahalla Golf Course.

A native of Kentucky, Pennington was expecting to go to law school, when a job in local TV in Lexington changed her life. Now, with two decades at ESPN, she’s the lynchpin behind-the-scenes for major events like the College Football Playoff, the MLB All-Star Game, major golf tournaments, and so much more.

Pennington has built a reputation on running an organized and effective live remote operation, making her a highly-trusted leader within the busy ESPN enterprise.

In this week’s edition of SVG All-Stars, learn more about Pennington’s career journey, discover what industry innovations she has her eye on, get her advice for getting started in the industry, and her call on the industry to do more to open to door to the next generation of sports television professionals.

Pennington working the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center with operations coordinator
Tatianna Montalvo (left)

What are the key responsibilities of your current role? 
As an Operations Specialist for ESPN, I oversee the technical logistics for the projects that I am assigned to, as well as lead the Operations team & technical crew onsite.

What is one key industry trend that you believe is having a major impact on your organization right now?
REMI productions have made significant strides over the years. There was once an argument that we may be sacrificing quality for quantity, but we’ve recognized the key challenges and have started implementing solutions that have improved these productions tremendously.

Pennington with Operations Coodinator Jovy Serviss (left) and Operations Producer Brittany Dippolito (right); an all-female tech/ops team on the ABC Primetime college football game between Georgia and Alabama in Tuscaloosa earlier this fall.

One pressing concern that we face is the aging of our workforce, and I worry that there is not enough new talent coming up through the ranks to fill the gap. As an industry, we need to do more to create opportunities for the next generation to learn from seasoned professionals and advance in their careers. We must find a way to balance day-count restrictions and budget constraints to foster future growth and development.

What is one core philosophy you try to live by when managing your team/operation?
Lead by example and clearly communicate your expectations.

What is your favorite event(s) you’ve ever worked?
I’ve had the privilege of working on a number of unforgettable events throughout my career. Stepping onto the grounds of Augusta National each April is always a surreal experience and, as a Kentucky girl with a love for horse racing, the Kentucky Derby holds a special place in my heart.

But two events, in particular, stand out as truly remarkable: the historic Major League Baseball game in Cuba in 2016 and, most recently, the 2024 College Football Playoff in Houston. Both presented unique challenges and ultimately created memories that will stay with me for a lifetime.

Pennington with ESPN colleagues at the 2025 College Football Playoff Meetings at Mercedes Benz Stadium earlier this year. From left: Senior Manager – ESPN College Football Jarrett Baker, Fiber Team member Duke Thorne, Operations Specialist Terry Cook, and ESPN Safety member Marty Lalick.

How did you get started in sports production? What was your first real job in the business?
I was hired as a Studio Camera Operator for WLEX-TV in Lexington, KY during my freshman year of college. At the time, I had planned on attending law school, but that all changed once I discovered my true passion for broadcasting. It became clear to me that this was where I truly belonged.

What’s one piece of advice you have for someone just starting their career in this industry?
Actions speak louder than words. Don’t tell someone how good or eager you are, show them. Ask the important questions, spend the extra time learning everything you can, and Network, Network, Network!

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