Maura Mandt Wiki – Biography
Maura Mandt, a long time producer with ESPN, has died at the age of 53. ESPN executive vice president of content Connor Schell described Mandt’s death as “unexpected.”
In a statement, Schell said, “It’s difficult to understand how someone with such passion for life could be gone so suddenly. We will certainly remember her relentless pursuit of creative excellence, her courage in pushing boundaries, and the lasting legacy Maura left on the sports world. Most of all, we will remember her as a true friend to so many of us, and we will miss her dearly.”
Mandt produced ESPN’s award show, The ESPYs, through her own production company, MaggieVision Productions. Mandt began working on the show in 1996 as a production assistant when the ceremony was in its fourth year. In 2002, Mandt was named as executive producer of the show. Mandt was also one of the creators of the X Games. Mandt’s company took over the production of the show in 2006. In 2014, Mandt was one of the recipients of an Emmy Award for the ESPN 30 for 30 short, “Arthur & Johnnie.” During her career, Mandt won two Sports Emmy for her documentary work.
Maura Mandt Age
She was 53 years old.
Career
In 2015, Mandt’s work became worldwide news when the ESPY Awards gave the Arthur Ashe Courage Award to Caitlyn Jenner, shortly after her transition. Mandt defended the show’s decision in an interview with Sports Illustrated saying, “It is very rare you get to tell a story that hopefully affects people and moves people and has meaning and makes a difference. At the same time if it attracts people from seeing it? We are not going to run away from that. Every person who has a cause needs a platform.”
Mandt also denied that the decision to give Jenner the award was not a rating ploy. Mandt also said in the interview, “I have spent 20 years working on this show and I take it very seriously. It is very rare you get to tell a story that hopefully affects people and moves people and has meaning and makes a difference. At the same time if it attracts people from seeing it? We are not going to run away from that. Every person who has a cause needs a platform.”
Cause of Death
Maura Mandt, who worked on the ESPY Awards for more than two decades and eventually became the show’s executive producer, died unexpectedly Friday. She was 53.
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“It’s difficult to understand how someone with such passion for life could be gone so suddenly,” ESPN executive vice president of content Connor Schell said in a release. “We will certainly remember her relentless pursuit of creative excellence, her courage in pushing boundaries, and the lasting legacy Maura left on the sports world. Most of all, we will remember her as a true friend to so many of us, and we will miss her dearly.”
Such sad news with the passing of ESPYS and NFL Honors producer Maura Mandt. She was one of the most passionate, creative and caring people I’ve ever met. She will be greatly missed by so many throughout the sports world. pic.twitter.com/IpokJ6Th7V
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) February 29, 2020
At the time of her death, Mandt was producing the “Marvel Hero Project.” According to Marvel, the show deals with “young heroes are making in their own communities. These inspiring kids have dedicated their lives to selfless acts of bravery and kindness, and now, Marvel celebrates them as the true Super Heroes they are.”
ESPN veteran Ramona Shelburne tweeted her condolences saying, “Every time I talked to Maura she made an impression. Smart. Tough. Cared about the right things. Made big, visionary stuff happen. She’d talk to guys like Peyton, Aaron Rodgers, Kobe like a teammate. And they’d do it—because it was Maura asking.”
In a poignant August 2019 Instagram post, Mandt was asked by one of her friends, “What is your secret to never aging?” Mandt responded by saying, “I surround myself with great people and love my job. And I let myself cry when I need to – releases the toxins. Also Hagen Daaz sorbet every day.”
Mandt’s final Instagram post was a photo of her and her team from MaggieVision at Vanity Fair’s post Oscars party in February 2019.