Bobcats in Bristol leading the way at ESPN

When Kim Kanner (BSC ’08) and Dan Lannon (BSC ’10) worked together at WOUB Public Media while they were students at Ohio University, neither of them ever imagined that more than a decade later they’d both be part of the leadership team at ESPN. In 2024, Kanner and Lannon were both promoted to director positions within the network’s production operations team. Kanner is the director of production and business operations, while Lannon is the director of REMI (remote integration) operations.

“A couple of months ago we had a department-wide management leadership day. It was our first post-COVID in person gathering for all of production operations management,” said Kanner. “I said to Dan, ‘Let’s get a picture of us two Bobcats together! How cool are we?’”

“We’ve worked under the same production operations umbrella for a while,” said Lannon. “But this is the first time we’ve been working closely on the same team.”

Lannon started working at ESPN right after he graduated from Ohio University in 2010 and has worked his way up over the last 14 years. Kanner also started at ESPN right out of college and has been working at ESPN for 16 years. Both credit the hands-on experience they were able to gain at Ohio University and WOUB for getting their feet in the door.

“Ohio University and WOUB prepare you in a lot of different ways. I came out of college with the technical experience to land operations roles and do various different shows,” said Lannon. “Real world, practical experience allowed us to get jobs in a very competitive market. WOUB and Ohio University give you a good foundation for a variety of different paths. Ohio University and WOUB set you up to be able to go wherever you want to go.”

“I think Dan and I on the leadership team at ESPN really shows that you can do whatever you want to do,” said Kanner. “I never imagined I’d be sitting where I am now. Whatever your passion or drive is, you can create your own destiny.”

Over his years at ESPN, Lannon worked on programs like “SportsCenter” and “Monday Night Football,” while Kanner was the first female to ever technical direct studio shows at the Super Bowl for ESPN. But they are not the only Bobcats working at ESPN.

“There are several Bobcats in Bristol and at ESPN offices around the country. I always go back to where it all started at Ohio University and WOUB,” said Kanner. “I think the school really works with students to prepare them. Having all that professional experience at WOUB is really a factor when you come out of the school to use it for your career.”

“There’s a lot of proof that what Ohio University and WOUB are doing sets you up to be successful at industry leading companies,” said Lannon. “Ohio University and WOUB students are all around the industry making huge impacts and that can be tied directly back to the school, WOUB and the opportunities that are created there.”

To read the stories of other successful Ohio University graduates who have worked at WOUB, visit: https://woub.org/tag/woub-students/.