For the past 20 years the production company IMG has worked in partnership with the Premier League to bring coverage of the league to over 180 different countries for a company known as Premier League Productions. Abdul Salam is an assistant producer for the company and reveals exactly what it’s like working on the biggest football league in the world.
Working in live sport is a dream that most people want to achieve, nevermind working in the biggest league in the world, the Premier League. But what exactly is it like?
Abdul says, “It’s amazing!
“It’s the biggest league in the world, the best sports league in the world and there’s certain things you just can’t prepare for.”
Abdul speaks about the uncertainty that covering the Premier League closely brings.
Whether that be Nottingham Forest securing a European place for the first time in 30 years, or the hectic Christmas season, it’s a very busy job all year round.
“Working on that full-time throughout the season is amazing to me.
“Generating ideas like what we’re gonna create if Liverpool win the league, what sort of VTs and montages we’re gonna build.”
Being an assistant producer for Premier League Productions brings variety. Abdul works across live matches, feature pieces, magazine shows and talk shows surrounding everything to do with the Premier League.
Analysis:
A part of the job also involves working with the onscreen pundits to create analysis for the live shows.
“We have data providers that we get a lot of our stats from. We look at different trends, alongside the onscreen team.
“We speak to them, ask them what they’ve noticed in a certain player’s game or the way a team plays. It’s a collaborative process between me, the analysis team, the onscreen team and trying to find data.
“We’re looking at the underlying data, so it’s not just a bland sort of analysis. It’s more indepth and answering questions that viewers on air might not have answers for.”
Abdul works with a variety of former footballers who now work as pundits on the various shows.
“I enjoy working with Ian Wright and Michael Owen.
“Just being able to hear their insight and just hear them speak it’s very motivational because you grew up watching these guys play. Understanding their mindset and the way they see things, pick up certain nuances- I wouldn’t even see some of the things myself!”
Getting the best out of the pundits is due to building a good rapport with them.
“We have to make sure they’re not spewing stuff that’s either not factually true or will make them look silly. Being trustworthy, being hardworking, all these characteristics help build a good relationship with the onscreen team.”
Any advice?
“Have your own platforms, especially if you wanna work in TV. We live in an age where you can pick up a phone and do a lot of things with it- match reactions, podcasts or any sort of content creation.
“It doesn’t have to be big but if you’re meticulous and paying attention to the details then you’ll be fine.”
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