ESPN has hired former Fox Sports production exec Artie Kempner as its “MNF” director, the third person to hold the position in seven years, according to John Ourand of PUCK. Kempner will take over for Derek Mobley, who took over for Jimmy Platt three years ago. Three years before that, Platt replaced Chip Dean, who had been there for 18 years. With the Disney-produced Super Bowl approaching in two years, ESPN President of Content Burke Magnus said that that Kempner, whose Fox Sports deal was expiring, was “too good to pass up.” Ourand noted Mobley will remain at ESPN, “most likely as a college football director,” a role he handled before moving to “Monday Night Football” in 2023. Kempner, who has been part of Fox’s NFL coverage since the network started carrying league games in 1994, was one of only 12 people who have directed a Super Bowl. Magnus said that he and ESPN EVP/Sports Production Mike McQuade “were not looking to change the production truck,” but when they learned that Kempner was available, they “pounced.” Magnus was “adamant that this was his suggestion rather than some conspiracy.” Magnus emphasized that rather than announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman “pulling the strings,” he “went to the duo with the plan to hire Kempner” (PUCK, 3/17).
ESPN hires Fox’s Kempner as ‘MNF’ director ahead of upcoming Super Bowl
