In this episode of the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience, alumni host Alex Cocoros sits down with Jonathan Scott, Michaela Gilmer, and Peter Denis, the creative team behind 20 Years of Summer League, a powerful documentary that celebrates the two-decade evolution of NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Jonathan Scott, a veteran coordinating producer with credits across the NBA, WNBA, NFL, PGA, and NASCAR, discusses how his diverse background shaped the documentary’s big-picture vision. Michaela Gilmer, a producer known for her work with the NBA, WNBA, and Unrivaled, shares what it’s like to bring high-energy storytelling to life behind the scenes. And Peter Denis, editor of The Inside Story, Shaq & Kobe, and NASCAR on TNT, reveals how he crafts emotionally resonant sports narratives that elevate the stories of athletes and events.
In this episode, they dive into:
- The creative process behind capturing 20 years of NBA Summer League evolution
- What made the Summer League Film Festival premiere a career-defining moment
- Why strong relationships and multi-sport experience fuel great storytelling
- Tips for breaking into the sports media industry and building a lasting career
20 Years of Summer League is more than a documentary, it’s a tribute to the players, fans, and visionaries who turned a summer experiment into a global basketball institution. Tune in and be sure to check out their documentary on NBA TV!
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SHOW NOTES
0:00 – Intro
0:54 – Start of interview
2:56 – Wearing multiple hats in the industry
3:41 – Working on the 20 Years of Vegas Summer League Documentary
5:26 – Getting along with the people you work with
6:20 – Importance of NBA Summer League
7:37 – Seeing their film being played at the first ever Summer League Film Festival
8:30 – What makes the SL Film Fest unique
12:30 – Balancing multiple projects
14:31 – Loving sports when working in sports
16:14 – Working in multiple sports, the advantages
20:04 – What makes a story compelling enough to tell?
22:40 – How much gets cut out of a project in post-production?
24:38 – Current projects
25:28 – Advice for people trying to get into the industry
37:17 – Outro
