ESPN, HBO Lead Sports Emmy Nominations

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) today announced the nominees for the 32nd Annual Sports Emmy Awards. ESPN led the pack with 36 nominations, followed by HBO with 22; NBC with 20 and CBS with 17.  ABC scored 13 and Fox 12.

More than 150 nominees from a record number of entries were announced in 33 categories including outstanding live sports special, live series, sports documentary, studio show, promotional announcements, play-by-play personality and studio analyst. The awards will be given out at the prestigious Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center located in the Time Warner Center on May 2nd, 2011 in New York City.

This year’s lifetime achievement award for sports will go to the broadcaster, Al Michaels, renowned for his “Do you believe in miracles?” call during the U.S. Olympic hockey team’s 1980 victory. Steve Ulrich, executive director of the Sports Emmy Awards noted, “Al’s legacy in sports television goes far beyond that moment, having called some of the greatest games in the history of the NFL, Major League Baseball, the NBA and the NHL.”