Students enrolled in Ball State University’s nationally renowned Sports Link program are now able to produce more original live programming as a result of major expansion.  

Enhancements include additional edit stations, more collaborative creative spaces, a conference room, and a studio to originate live social media and other programming. Ball State Esports, a varsity esports program, will exist in collaboration with Sports Link, providing all students with a one-of-a-kind digital experience within the Esports Collegiate Conference.  

The new equipment and space allows Sports Link to grow in its mission to elevate, educate, and empower students and student-athletes as they engage in innovative, collaborative and professional productions, said Chris Taylor, senior digital director of sports production. 

Taylor noted that digital live sports programming is an ever-growing national trend. ESPN plans to air more than 500 live original shows across its own digital properties and platforms including YouTube, Twitter, Snapchat and Facebook.  

“Our new studio space allows us to do the same, and at a moment’s notice,” said Taylor, who also is a Telecommunications lecturer. “It adds the dimension to complement our live sports productions to ESPN platforms, the studio programming from Ball State's virtual set and our consistent daily content creation. More importantly, it enhances our collaborative space where storytelling and creativity can flourish.” 

Combined with Sports Link’s original classroom/NCAA social lab and equipment room, the program will have over 2,500-square foot of operating space in the College of Communication, Information and Media. 

The University will host a virtual ribbon cutting ceremony for the Sports Link Production Center in the Ball Communication Building at 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 8. View the ceremony at bsu.edu/live. 

Ball State Sports Link, an immersive learning experience, connects audiences with the athletics community, delivering exclusive content on far-reaching platforms to showcase sports at Ball State. Sports Link showcases Cardinal student-athletes’ accomplishments on the field, in the classroom and within the surrounding community.