Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum is the latest athlete to land an iconic ‘This is SportsCenter’ commercial, and not just one, but two. The four-time National Basketball Association (NBA) all-star stars in “Meeting Lineup” and “Security Badge.” 

In “Meeting Lineup,” Tatum and SportsCenter anchors Nicole Briscoe and Steve Levy interrupt a meeting between fellow SportsCenter anchor Gary Striewski and UC Irvine mascot Peter the Anteater. Briscoe, Levy and Tatum are all introduced into the meeting by Celtics announcer Eddie Palladino, similar to games inside TD Garden.

Following the introductions, Striewski casually lets the trio know “we (Peter and I) have this room booked.”

In “Security Badge,” SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt talks about how security badge photo day is a big one for ESPN. First up is North Carolina mascot Rameses, who when finished with the photo, was shouldered by Tatum, the former Duke Blue Devil and archrival. The photographer proceeds to ask Tatum who he is. Tatum rattles off numerous nicknames from “Taco J” and “Big Deuce” to finally being found on the list because of his unique spelling of Jayson, “Jayson with a y.”

“Meeting Lineup” debuts Wednesday, Oct. 25 during the Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. “Security Badge ” debuts Friday, Oct. 27 during the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

“As the NBA season tips off, Jayson Tatum is the latest NBA great to star in the beloved This is SportsCenter campaign,” said Seth Ader, Vice President of Brand Marketing. “At ESPN, all employees must be photographed for their security badges, no exceptions. And now that we’re back working in the office, conference room rituals have been taken to the next level.”

Said Chris Kim, Arts & Letters Co. Creative Director: “Jayson is on his way to becoming a Celtics great, but he’s already solidified himself as a Celtics great in This is SportsCenter commercials.

In the past month, ESPN has debuted two This is SportsCenter commercials, both featuring the National Hockey League (NHL) champion Vegas Golden Knights and star forwards Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault. In order of airing are those spots, “Dishwasher” and “Penalty Cubicle.”

Credits
CAMPAIGN TITLE: This is SportsCenter: Meeting Lineup & Security Badge
First Air Date (Meeting Lineup): Oct. 25, 2023
First Air Date (Security Badge): Oct. 27, 2023

ESPN
Tina Thornton – EVP, Creative Studio & Marketing
Seth Ader – VP, Brand Marketing
Peter Mulally – Senior Director, Brand Marketing
John Lobo – Associate Director, Brand Marketing
Lenny Washington – Marketing Coordinator, Brand Marketing
Brian Iglesias – Senior Director, Marketing Operations
Matthew Cheron – Associate Director, Marketing Production
Jonathan Little – Associate Producer II, Marketing Production
Sean Andersen – Production Coordinator, Marketing Production
Stacey Pressman – Senior Director, Talent Production
Katie Hennessey – Sr. Talent Producer
Zuriel Loving – Sr. Talent Producer
Tomas Casabal – Creative Director, Grande & Leonard Creative
Sandra Blacio – Director, Media Planning & Operations
Blanca Lopez – Promotions Producer II, Grande & Leonard Creative
Genesis Cifuentes – Marketing Coordinator, Marketing Operations
Geordana Gonzalez – Marketing Coordinator, Marketing Operations
Brandon Wong – Supervisor Prod Ops, LAPC
Michael Wilson – Sr Facilities Services Coord, LAPC

Arts & Letters Creative Co. – Agency
Charles Hodges – Founder/ECD
Molly Jamison – ECD
Andy Grayson – Director of Strategy
Andrew Kong – Creative Director
Chris Kim – Creative Director
Scott Hayes – Creative
Lisa Setten – Head of Production
Calleen Colburn – Executive Producer
Andrea Rodriguez – Senior Producer
London Scalise – Assistant Producer
Lenora Cushing – Director of Business Affairs
Jennifer Kmetzsch –  Business Affairs Manager
Brenda Schneider – Group Business Director
Lindsey Kirkner– Business Director
Lauren Lawson – Business Manager
Alex Morrison – Strategy Director
Bodi Karsono – Strategist
Sara Kastner – Chief of Staff
Kait Sutherland – Director of Creative Management
Cam DiNunzio – A&L Music Supervisor

XYZ- Editorial
Whitney Green – Executive Producer, XYZ
Ryan Dunstan – Resource Manager, XYZ
Rob Rosko – Producer, XYZ
Lauren Galanides -Senior Producer, XYZ
Pat Blumer – Edit Lead, XYZ
Stuart Mauck– Assistant Editor, XYZ
Noah Hornstein – Animation Lead, XYZ

O Positive – Production Company
Kenny Herzog – Director
Marc Grill – Executive Producer
Ralph Laucella- Executive Producer
Eric Steelberg – DP
Dan Ouellette – Production Designer

Company3- Color
Tim Masick – Colorist
Ryan Moncrief – Color Producer
Stephen Winterhalter – Color Assistant
Quinn Wright – Color Assistant

Blacksmith- VFX
Hannah Wilk – Flame Lead
Marco Baratto – Compositor
Myles Dunlop – Compositor
Nicole Saccardi – Executive Producer

Barking Owl- Sound Design & Mix
Elizabeth McClanahan – Sound Designer & Mixer
Ashley Benton – Executive Producer
Jenna Pangilinan – Associate Producer
Kelly Bayett – Creative Director 

Additional Credits for Meeting Lineup:
CyberSound Recording Studios – VO record for Meeting Lineup
Perry Geyer – Owner/Producer
Rob Whitaker – Producer/Engineer
Clayton Rogers – Audio Engineer
Eddie Palladino – Voiceover Talent