ESPN FC commentator Shaka Hislop collapsed on live television directly before Real Madrid and AC Milan were scheduled to kick off at the Rose Bowl on Sunday night.
Hislop was previewing the match alongside Dan Thomas when, in the middle of a discussion on Christian Pulisic, he collapsed to the ground near the pitch. Thomas immediately called for aid and help rushed over.
The broadcast, scheduled for ESPN but airing on ESPNnews and ESPN+ while an MLB game finished, quickly cut to commercial. It then kicked off with Adrian Healey and Kasey Keller on the call — they were obviously unaware of what had just happened to Hislop.
Thomas then issued this update on Twitter.
Shaka is conscious. The medics are looking after him.
— Dan Thomas (@DanThomasESPN) July 24, 2023
In the 22nd minute, Healey confirmed that they hadn't seen the incident but they'd been updated on Hislop's condition. They said he was doing OK and receiving care.
Thomas then provided this update at halftime.
Dan Thomas gave an update on Shaka Hislop's condition.
Shaka is "conscious and talking" and has been tended to by medics pic.twitter.com/B3mlEsxUfw— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 24, 2023
Update 07/24: Hislop provided this message on ESPN FC.
Shaka Hislop gives an update on his condition pic.twitter.com/qoLxYZJfjj
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 24, 2023