The sports broadcasting industry is mourning the loss of Denise “Daneysse” Daniels, an Emmy Award–winning production manager whose decade-long career placed her behind some of the most-watched live sporting events in the world. Daniels, 35, passed away unexpectedly, a loss announced publicly during ESPN’s Monday Night Football broadcast.
Daniels served as a production manager and operations leader whose expertise and steady presence shaped hundreds of major broadcasts across ESPN, TNT Sports, and FOX Sports. Known affectionately among colleagues as “DVD,” she was celebrated not only for her technical command but also for the deep care she showed to every crew she worked with.
A Rising Leader in Sports Production
Daniels spent the past nine years making an indelible impact at ESPN, contributing to many of the network’s biggest remote productions. Her work included:
- Monday Night Football
- Multiple College Football Playoff National Championships
- Super Bowls LI, LII, LVI, and LVII
- The 2022 and 2023 Pro Bowl Games
- The NFL Draft
Her colleagues said she brought a rare combination of precision, calm under pressure, and genuine warmth to each assignment.
From 2021 to 2025, Daniels also worked with TNT Sports, overseeing operations and communication pipelines for:
- NHL on TNT
- NBA on TNT support
- NCAA March Madness and the Final Four
- College basketball broadcasts
- MLB productions
As the primary remote-communications contact for several major TNT properties, Daniels was widely respected for her ability to seamlessly manage complex logistics while keeping morale high within the production compound.
Tributes From Across the Sports-Production Community
Word of her passing sparked heartfelt tributes throughout the sports-broadcasting world.
“Daneysse was doing what she loved in life: working in television,” TNT studio host Liam McHugh said on-air. “She studied for it, she worked for it, and she’ll be greatly missed.”
Paul Hemming, Utah Mammoth game director and former NHL on TNT lead game director, shared a moving remembrance:
“‘DVD’ was many things, to many people: a passionate TV person, a loving Auntie, a great friend, a lover of margaritas and extra guacamole. To me, she was an amazing teammate who always had my back. She always took care of ‘her crew.’ Whatever we needed, Daneysse always made it happen.”
A Career Built on Excellence
Daniels began her broadcast career at FOX Sports in Los Angeles in 2013, joining as a production assistant and later rising to Manager, Production. There, she handled operational needs for UFC studio programming and remote events—often contributing to more than 500 broadcasts per year. Her responsibilities also extended across NBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS productions with FOX Sports and Bally Sports Ohio.
Across her career, Daniels supported coverage of major sports moments, including:
- The Stanley Cup Final
- NHL Winter Classic
- NBA All-Star
- NCAA March Madness
- UFC International Fight Week
Colleagues across networks describe her as a trusted problem-solver, a rising star in production management, and a bright presence whose kindness and professionalism were equally unforgettable.
A Loss Felt Across the Industry
With her death announced on a national stage during Monday Night Football, the depth of Daniels’ impact was unmistakable. She was a force behind the scenes—keeping broadcasts running smoothly, supporting her teams, and elevating every production she touched.
Her legacy, say those who knew her, is defined by excellence, leadership, and unwavering support for the people around her.
Daniels is remembered as a beloved teammate, a dedicated professional, and a cherished friend whose influence will continue to be felt throughout the sports-television community.
