SVG All-Stars: Sarah Backerman, Senior Director, Production Operations, Big Ten Network

After a decade out west, a behind-the-scenes superstar returns to her roots

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.

During a volatile time of conference realignment across college athletics, the Big Ten Network sought a steady hand and a familiar face this past summer when adding four new schools to its roster.

Sarah Backerman at the Big Ten Network set outside the 2024 Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, CA

Sarah Backerman got her start in Big Ten country. The Michigan State University graduate cut her teeth as a freelance producer and StudentU coordinator for BTN, helping steer student-produced live productions for the network. Then, an exciting opportunity at the burgeoning Pac-12 Networks took her west, and her career exploded.

For nearly a decade, Backerman was instrumental in P12N’s live production of thousands of sports events, helping pioneer operations behind the network’s innovative remote-production infrastructure. When the Pac-12 fractured and Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington moved to the Big Ten, BTN knew exactly whom to call.

“[Sarah] has come in and made an immediate impact,” says Mark Hulsey, SVP, production/executive producer, Big Ten Network. “Her relationships with the four incoming schools and vendors got us off to a smooth start.”

Sometimes, life has a funny way of coming full circle.

Backerman at a USC football game in Los Angeles last month with (from left) BTN producer Denny Blount, play-by-play caller Guy Haberman, and analyst Yogi Roth

In this week’s edition of SVG All-Stars, Backerman shares her story, what industry innovations she has her eye on, and her advice for making a mark in live sports production:

What are the key responsibilities of your current role?
As senior director, production operations, I oversee the operations team that manages live events from the 10 Big Ten universities across the Central and Pacific Time Zones. During my first year with the Big Ten Network, one of my primary responsibilities was facilitating West Coast expansion with the addition of UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington. This included preparing the venues, vendors, and crews we are using for live events. I also negotiate and manage vendor contracts for mobile units, graphics, and equipment rentals for enhanced production value.

What key industry trend do you see as having a major impact on your organization right now?
A collaborative effort continues between production, operations, and engineering to refine and improve our MICR (Multi-Cam Insert Control Room) Productions. The addition of the Appear encoders have allowed us to bring back more cameras and feeds to our Chicago studios, including the use of super-slo-mo on these events. These types of enhancements allow us to effectively cover more events with more production value, including football, as MICRs. Storytelling also continues to improve with the use of Libero for enhanced telestration, and the increased content creation that is shared from campus producers, who are located at each university, and our in- house features team. A centralized location producing a large number of events allows the opportunity to do live look-ins from all games across the conference, including B1G+ events, to update fans in real time.

Backerman working as a student for Michigan State’s Spartan Vision in 2010

What is one core philosophy you try to live by when managing your team/operation?
I have had the incredible honor of working with some amazing teams during my career. Teamwork has been a foundational philosophy for me. Building trust through respect, kindness, and clear communication are integral in creating a team that enjoys coming together to get the work done.

What is your favorite event(s) you’ve worked?
This will sound strange coming from a Spartan, but one of my favorite events of all time happened at the University of Michigan. It was the first Big Ten Network StudentU game that went live on the linear network in November 2013. The StudentU program launched in 2009 with all the games streaming on the digital platform and some being edited and cut down to re-air, tape delayed, on the linear network. This event was produced completely with students from the University of Michigan — from the front bench and talent to the camera ops and technicians. These students worked hard to get to that point, and I was so proud to be there cheering them on! I have worked a lot of great events, been in fantastic arenas, and seen some amazing games, but this one has always stood out as such a moment of incredible growth.

More recently, I would have to say my favorite event was a USC football game in early September. I had the opportunity to be onsite with former colleagues from my early days at the Big Ten Network as well as those I had the pleasure to work with for years at the PAC-12 Networks. We utilized a drone for the game, and, in true USC fashion, the open did not disappoint. The pomp and circumstance covered by the crew with the amazing shots from the drone gave me chills watching from the truck!

Backerman overseeing a BTN StudentU production at the University of Michigan in 2013

How did you get started in sports production? What was your first real job in the business?
I ended up taking a class in high school called Suitcase Video. We had a small flypack that we used to produce sporting events, concerts, and musicals on the local public-access channel. After graduating high school, I continued working for that public-access channel in Lansing, MI. As a Michigan State student, I found my way to Spartan Vision and started to focus on a career in sports broadcasting. Spartan Vision allowed me the opportunity to cover all sports in a variety of roles. I especially loved running camera for basketball events at the Breslin Center and producing the in-house board show at Munn Ice Arena for hockey.

What one piece of advice do you have for someone just starting their career in this industry?
Get involved. Try different things and diversify your résumé. Early in my career, I had the opportunity to sit in a lot of different chairs, and I felt it provided me a better understanding and empathy of what others were working on and experiencing. I started my career with a focus on storytelling and producing but ended up finding great opportunities in operations. My early background has been beneficial and helped create a broader foundation. Opportunities can come from places you least expect.