Pioneering Women of Sports: NBC Sports’ Big Ten Coverage is Breaking Barriers in Sports Broadcasting
October 19, 2023
Elyse Noonan, Lindsay Schanzer, Lyndsay Signor, Kathryn Tappen and Maria Taylor describe the critical roles that women play in NBC Sports’ launch of its landmark Big Ten agreement, what it means to break barriers in the male-dominated sports world, and why representation matters.
NBC Sports recently announced that Peacock will be the home of more than 30+ Big Ten Men's Basketball Games and more than 20+ Big Ten Women's Basketball Games for the 2023-24 Season.
Meet the Women of NBC Sports B1G Ten Broadcast
Elyse Noonan, VP, Talent Development & Negotiations, NBC Sports
Recently named a Game Changer by Sports Business Journal, Noonan was responsible for talent negotiations and strategy for NBC Sports' Big Ten productions.
Lindsay Schanzer, Senior Producer, NBC Sports
Schanzer, a six-time Sports Emmy winner, produces NBC Sports’ college football studio show and is the first female producer of the Kentucky Derby.
Lyndsay Signor, SVP, Consumer Engagement, NBC Sports
Signor was recently named to Sports Business Journal's prestigious Forty Under 40 list and is helping win over new viewers to NBC Sports' Big Ten coverage with the addition of on-site activation B1G Yards. Signor is also the co-founder of On Her Turf, NBC Sports' women's empowerment brand.
Kathryn Tappen, Sideline Reporter, B1G Saturday Night
Tappen, who joined NBC Sports in 2014, returns to college football as a sideline reporter for B1G Saturday Night. She has served as a host or reporter for many of the biggest events in sports, including the Olympics, Super Bowl, NFL Kickoff, and Stanley Cup Playoffs and Final. Tappen has also been honored with the “Woman of Inspiration” award by the Boston chapter of WISE.
Maria Taylor, Host, B1G College Countdown
Taylor, one Adweek's of 2021’s “Most Powerful Women in Sports” is the host of B1G College Countdown, Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports, and several other prestigious NBC Sports properties. Over an unprecedented 10-month period starting in 2021, Taylor hosted the primetime network broadcastof the NFL Draft, the NBA Finals, the Tokyo Olympic Games, the Super Bowl, and the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
“I hope that when women turn on their TV, they are proud, that they see themselves reflected and hear themselves reflected in the content and know that they matter because we are here -- behind the scenes- and in front of the camera -- representing them,” says Taylor.
Keep up with all of these women and learn more about upcoming games, where to watch and more at the NBC Sports Exclusive B1G Ten page.
