People Behind BLAST: Andy Finn
In this month’s People Behind BLAST spotlight, we sit down with someone who has spent the last four decades shaping live sports and broadcast experiences around the world. Since joining BLAST just over six months ago, Andy Finn, SVP of Live, has brought with him a wealth of industry expertise helping put together our tightly packed global calendar, delivering an astonishing 272 broadcast days in the first half of 2025 alone.
With a career that spans network TV in Sydney, three decades at Sky Sports, and consulting work with major players like FIFAe, DAZN and Drone Racing League, Andy is no stranger to the fast-moving world of live production.
As BLAST’s live ecosystems continues to grow at pace, Andy is helping steer that expansion with a focus on structure, innovation and strengthening the teams behind our shows. From deploying record-breaking POV streams at the FNCS Global Championship to planning a packed FY26 calendar of global events, his sights are firmly set on elevating the live experience for fans everywhere. And with his trademark optimism, global perspective and love of a good challenge, Andy is a perfect guide as we look at the people behind BLAST’s biggest moments.
You’ve been at BLAST for just over eight months now - what have been your first impressions of BLAST and esports?
BLAST is an incredible company, filled with fantastic people everywhere you turn.We deliver amazing content to our fans, whether that’s from one of our three state of the art studio complexes, or from any one of our live global arena events.
This requires a huge amount of planning, scheduling and creativity from all BLASTers across the business, particularly with our tightly condensed schedule, which sometimes includes supporting up to four events on the same weekend.
As a measure of the scale, BLAST delivered an incredible 272 broadcast days in the first 6 months of 2025.Despite the workload, there’s always a great vibe, no matter where you find yourself. It’s a really brilliant place to work, and I can honestly say it’s unlike any other company I’ve worked for over the last four decades!
Time to wind the clock back, where were you before you joined BLAST?
5 years at Network Television in Sydney, Australia, in the mid 1980’s feels like another life. This was followed by 30 years at Sky Sports, where I was based in London, but fortunate enough to travel the world going to incredible sports events, and getting paid to do it.
Before joining BLAST, I spent 6 years running my own production company, consulting for sports governing bodies, working with the likes of FIFAe, DAZN, Sky, Drone Racing League & World Snooker amongst many others.
So you are BLAST’s SVP of Live, how would you describe your role?
It’s a fantastic role that allows me to keep pace with advances in the broadcast industry generally, with a focus on creative design & broadcast technology.
It’s really important to stay in touch with the latest trends in technology, as this helps shape our ability to drive the narrative, with the use of SMPTE 2110 in our productions for example.
I also manage a group of seriously talented BLASTers, who in turn lead teams across the live delivery chain, including our shared service teams covering Production, Creative Services, Creative Design, Front of House and Broadcast Technology. The team also includes the Executive Producers from each of our ecosystems, responsible for building and maintaining the relationships with the game publishers, amongst many other things.
Leading the Live efforts, have you or the wider team set any goals for the rest of the year?
Following a recent department reorganisation, our goals for Q4 are:1. Continue to refine our structure and communication, which is particularly important as our calendar of events continues to go from strength to strength. 2. Focus on R&D, which is important if we are going to continually look for ways to improve our narrative approach and our technical delivery stack.3. Strengthen our internal and external teams across the LIVE department, to meet the needs of our continued growth through 25 and beyond.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had to deal with since coming on board?
Managing time efficiently so that I am able to stay focussed on the day to day needs of my team, support the live delivery chain and travel to as many of the live arena events as possible. The travel is really important, as it allows me to see first hand how effectively the BLAST teams are performing and to understand their many challenges, first hand. It’s all about staying in touch with people to build strong relationships.
So if you had to pick out a favourite project over the past six months what would it be?
FNCS Global Championships. The Broadcast Tech team excelled themselves matching the ambition of the EPIC ecosystem by deploying 99 POV player streams, alongside our other feeds. It was a huge uplift, in a really short space of time. We deployed 120 BLAST owned and operated cameras, 450 moving lights and 650m2 of LED screen.
The Ecosystem team did an incredible job capturing all the excitement of the competition, delivering a show which delighted the 20,000 fans at the LDLC Arena in Lyon, and our community watching online, over two amazing days. The atmosphere in the arena was like nothing I’ve seen before.
And looking ahead, what's exciting for you or what’s in your sights in the near future?
Growth. FY26 looks incredible with most of our events locked in already. It’s a great feeling to be able to plan much further in advance than we have been able to before.We have some fabulous venues in great locations, and I’m really looking forward to being on the road with all the BLASters. I’m particularly looking forward to the variety of shows we have lined up and the different approaches we are taking to create immersive experiences.
Let’s look a little further down the road: what challenges do you envision as BLAST grows or what's a potential roadblock you’re looking forward to solving.
Our biggest challenge will be keeping pace with a growing calendar of events. This is especially true for human and technical resources. Matching this demand is key to improving our output and the live show experience across all productions.
Okay so let’s step outside your role and go a bit more personal - You’ve already begun travelling to many different countries for BLAST events and also likely others in your prior roles, is there a standout destination?
Austin, Texas. A big city with a wealth of things to see, do and eat! It’s got a really great vibe and is a place I always look forward to going to. I’m particularly looking forward to a BBQ and catching some of the local bands that regularly play live.
What’s been your favourite event(s) and why?
My favourite BLAST event so far was the recent Rainbow 6 Major, staged at the BMW Park Arena in Munich, Germany. This event marked one of our most ambitious technical undertakings, combining creative ideation, innovation and broadcast excellence into a single show, embodying spirit of the long term blossoming relationship with Ubisoft. The arena houses the world’s first LED floor with a glass surface, offering close to 25 million pixel, 4500 nit display.
Led by R6 Executive Producer, Chrystina Martel and working closely with Ubisoft, teams from across BLAST creative departments, competition operations and broadcast technology helped elevate the event on every level, delivering an immersive experience for fans and players alike, based on the theme of ‘Keep your head above Water’.
The success of Munich reinforces the shared commitment to growing the R6 esports ecosystem, innovating around fan experience, and delivering unforgettable live moments for players and fans, further strengthening the relationship, setting the stage for even bigger and more ambitious Rainbow Six events in the future.This was truly a special event and one I’m proud to have been part of.
Outside of BLAST I'd have to say the PDC World Darts Championships. It’s an event that blends top quality sport with incredible fan participation, as many fans try to outdo each other, turning up in the most incredible fancy dress costumes. I love being a spectator at Alexandra Palace as the atmosphere is truly amazing. I recommend a trip to the Palace to everyone.
Okay so let’s say you’ve got a blank cheque and can host an event anywhere. Where would it be?
Sphere, Las Vegas. That venue is truly amazing and I would love to be part of a BLAST event there as we would create the most amazing spectacle.
Let's say you’ve become a part of the BLAST Broadcast in front of the camera, what role would you suit? (Host, commentary, coach, player, analyst)
100% a Coach. I believe in being empathic, leading by example and maintaining a positive mindset, all key factors that align with the principles of coaching at every level. I’ve been around cameras my whole working life, but I’ve never been interested in getting in front of one. It’s just not for me, but I admire those that do.
What do you like to do outside of work? Any hobbies?
Fitness. I love food. It's one of the benefits of travelling a lot. You get to eat a wide variety of really good food. I love going to the cinema, as much for the experience than a particular genre of film. I’m terrible at golf, but love the challenge of getting that tiny white ball into the cup! I also like boxing, but rarely go to any events now.
