March 13, 2024 -- Building on the momentum of their initial collaboration announced on October 17, 2023, NBC Sports and Making Space have released a free on-demand training course designed to build an expansive pipeline of Disabled talent who aspire to become sports commentators.
This initiative extends the partnership’s commitment to increase the representation and inclusion of Disabled talent in sports media, setting the stage for an increase in opportunity for Disabled hosts, analysts, and play-by-play sportscasters.
Making Space is an accessible talent acquisition and learning experience platform that develops new pathways to employment and career advancement for Disabled talent pools through employer-backed education, bridging the education-employment gap and enabling companies to access untapped and underrepresented candidates. Its goal is to create careers vs jobs for the most underrepresented and underestimated population globally.
The newest course from NBC Sports is led by Making Space CMO, Sophie Morgan. This course is created to enable experienced Disabled hosts, sportscasters (including reporters and analysts) and pan-disabled athletes looking to level up into the hosting role for NBC Sports.
Produced in Stamford, Conn., and leveraging the educational framework developed by Making Space for a group of pan-disabled athletes, the program offers a comprehensive curriculum covering the basics of sports television commenting in collaboration with NBC Sports. Starting with foundational knowledge on models of Disability and person-first language, talent will advance through modules focused on interviewing techniques, scriptwriting, mastering teleprompter use, and building on-camera confidence.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Making Space through this unique online platform, which outlines our dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion within sports media,” said Amy Rosenfeld, Senior Vice President, Production at NBC Sports. “By providing these essential tools and training, we are not only supporting the development of talented disabled broadcasters but also enriching our coverage of major sports events.”
Upon completion of the course, participants are encouraged to showcase their skills by uploading a showreel to the platform, putting them in the “pre-qualified” pipeline for NBC Sports. NBC Sports is actively seeking applications from course graduates for hosting opportunities, with the aim of integrating new, diverse voices into their broadcasting.
“We are grateful and excited about our continued work with NBC Sports. At Making Space we believe that when Disabled people are provided adequate and accessible tools, relevant opportunities and new pathways to employment and education, we can make a systemic shift and start etching away at the stat that Disabled people are twice more likely to be unemployed than non-disabled people. And in turn, I am excited that the technology we have built supports both increasing disability representation within the workforce, in addition to making recruiting and retention generally just easier, less expensive and more productive” said Keely Cat-Wells, founder & CEO of Making Space.
“We believe that empowering disabled talent through this training will not only change individual lives but also enhance the representation of disability in sports media, inspiring audiences and future generations.’ said Sophie Morgan, Host & CMO of Making Space
The online, free and accessible training is now open for enrollment, inviting experienced Disabled broadcasters to embark on a transformative journey towards becoming the next generation of sports TV hosts. For more information and to apply, visit this link.
NBC Sports and Making Space remain committed to their partnership’s core mission: to improve visibility, representation, and employment opportunities for disabled talent within sports broadcasting, creating a more inclusive and diverse industry.
About NBC Sports
NBC Sports connects people to the moments that matter most and serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. As the sports division of NBCUniversal, NBC Sports presents premier content across linear platforms NBC, USA Network, Golf Channel, as well numerous digital sites, including Peacock. NBC Sports possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, Big Ten Conference, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, Notre Dame, The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, MLB, Tour de France, Roland-Garros, and many more. It also consists of NBC Sports Next, a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within its three groups: Youth & Recreational Sports, Golf, and Betting & Gaming.
About Making Space
Making Space is a venture-backed, accessible talent acquisition and learning experience platform that enables companies to train and access pre qualified disabled, overlooked, and underrepresented talent pools. Designed to bridge the education-employment gap, Making Space creates tangible pathways to employment and career advancement through employer-supported education.
Making Space is home to Making Space Media, a brand that creates film, TV, educational and promotional content centring the Disabled voice. Making Space Media has a first-look deal with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine.
Making Space is a Techstars Economic Mobility 2023 company and a winner of Pepperdine’s 2023 ‘Most Fundable Companies’.
