ESPN makes questionable choice to show unconscious duchy students being drawn from stands

ESPN receives some criticism for a decision that the network made under a college basketball -telecast on Monday night.

Late in the game between Duke Blue Devils and NC State Wolfpack, a person in the Duchy student’s section had a medical incident that caused a stop in the game.

Immediately after a violation of shooting with 3:30 back in the game, ESPN cameras began to capture Duke students who tried to draw attention to something happening in the student’s section. Seconds later, the network’s microphones picked up someone in the building screaming: “Hi! Come here really fast! Come here! Quick, fast! “Presumably trying to warn medical staff on site about the incident.

Then, ESPN cameras focused on what seemed to be several members of the security team pulling an unconscious individual out of the stands, on the sidelines and then from the field.

Scary scene at Duke as a student appears to have fallen unconscious and performed by the stands. pic.twitter.com/zoroptylzv

– horrible advertising (@Awfulannouncing) January 28, 2025

“It looks like the young lady has gone out here and they take her away. Wow, ”said Espn Play-by-play advertisement Dave O’Brien.

The decision to show the full incident withdrew criticism from some on social media.

Terrible choice to show it all.

– Drew (@dtaylor_19) January 28, 2025

Really hope she’s okay. I understand why they carried her out to get her treated asap, but the fact that ESPN showed that it happened is pretty tasteless. Kinda felt they were more concerned that the game continued than her condition.

– Will Rainbolt (@Willajrainbolt) January 28, 2025

It’s absolutely ill @Spn held the camera on this poor girl whose parents probably watched

– Ryan Stanzel Checkmark (@rstanzel) January 28, 2025

Terrible choice of @Spn To keep the camera focused on her.

– Jonathan Koziol (@jonathan_koziol) January 28, 2025

Shouldn’t have been shown

– Chase Anschultz (@chaseschultz) January 28, 2025

It is never easy in a live broadcasting setting to decide what should and should not appear, especially when something as sensitive as a person’s health is involved. But the way ESPN handled this situation was tactless.

ESPN could have just as easily sent tight shots by the players, coaches or even fan reactions without showing what seemed to be a serious medical episode. In these scenarios, it is best for advertisers to describe viewers what happens while respecting the individual’s privacy by not showing them on live -tv.

It’s easier said than done. ESPN’s director cannot predict the future, and was probably not quite sure what was happening at the moment. Once it became clear that a fan was unconscious, the smart thing to do, however, would have been to cut away from the shot instead of showing the full episode as they did.