NEW YORK, NY — ESPN has retained Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the talent and sports agency, to represent the newly announced ESPN Films unit and explore new creative and commercial opportunities that complement the company’s feature film initiative.  As part of ESPN Content Development, ESPN Films will present quality scripted and documentary film projects for television and theatrical release.

“Collaborating with CAA for this aspect of ESPN Films’ rollout demonstrates our commitment to being the leader in identifying, developing and producing the highest quality sports-themed stories out there,” said Keith Clinkscales, ESPN senior vice president, content development and enterprises.

“ESPN Films is a natural and exciting extension of ESPN’s brand,” said David O’Connor, CAA partner and managing director.  “With the launch of ESPN Films, ESPN broadens its reach by providing an entertainment experience that marries great storytelling with the human drama inherent to sports.”

ESPN and Film

ESPN’s foray into theatrical film began in March 2006 with the critically acclaimed Sebastian Telfair biopic Through the Fire, followed by the award-winning Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos. In 2007, ESPN helped create a new showcase for sports-themed films and filmmakers with the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival – a designated program within the overall Tribeca Film Festival.  Recently, ESPN announced the acquisition of the Sundance selection Kicking It.  The network’s 2007 scripted projects – the ABC movie Ruffian (June 2007) and the eight-part miniseries, The Bronx is Burning (July 2007), garnered nominations for excellence from the Screen Actors Guild, the Directors Guild of America, the Producers Guild of America, the NAACP, the MMPA,  and the New York Festivals.

About Creative Artists Agency

Creative Artists Agency is a full-service talent agency that represents the most creative and successful professionals working in film, television, music, theatre, video games, sports, and the Web, and provides a range of strategic marketing services to corporate clients.  CAA Sports represents more than 350 of the world’s top athletes in baseball, football, hockey, basketball, and soccer, in addition to icons in individual sports, on-air broadcasters, and other sports personalities.  CAA Sports also works in the areas of broadcast rights, corporate marketing initiatives, and sports properties for sales/sponsorship opportunities.  CAA has an equity relationship with SS+K, a strategic communications consulting firm.  In addition, The Intelligence Group, a market research and trend forecasting company, is a division of CAA.

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