Katy Winge Adds a Little Color

I have a feeling I’d not like playing games like Risk, Othello, or Settlers of Catan with Altitude’s Katy Winge, as I get the feeling taking over the world is a fairly simple matter for the media dynamo. I’m guessing that as she continues to add titles to her resume, having spent the last two Denver Nuggets games in the Color Analyst seat for the telecasts. As always, her insights were on point, thoughtful, and entertaining. I told her as much as we kicked off a chat about her expanded universe.

Mike Olson, DNVR: Every time I turn around, it feels like you’ve loaded even more roles onto your plate than the last time we chatted… How do you change gears for all of those pieces, and how do you prep? How do you solve for that problem?

Katy Winge, Altitude: It’s a good problem to have. In fact, I wouldn’t even call it a problem. To be able to wear as many hats as I do, it’s amazing. I like feeling like more of a utility player, so Altitude can put in me in many places. I’ll do whatever needs to be done in that certain role. The biggest adjustment for me this year is getting a little bit more opportunity to sit in the analyst’s chair. These last two games were the first time I’d gotten the opportunity to be the solo analyst, and I’ll do four more of those this season.

I’m also hosting a lot more. I’m in studio more, plus we have our new show, Nuggets Live, our pregame show I’m posting to. That show is more social media-based, far more laid back, pretty spontaneous. For me, the biggest challenge is changing my voice depending on what role I’m playing. If I’m hosting, I’m much more of a point guard, where I’m putting people in the spots that help them succeed, if I’m in a different role, I’m more of a scorer or… well, I can overlay this metaphor to basketball and the Nuggets pretty closely.

Bottom line, it’s a very conscious effort on my part, thinking about which role I’m playing and which voice in the mix that requires me to fill. How do I prepare, and how do I deliver? It is so much fun, and keeps me on my toes. I’m learning so much all the time. It’s probably one of the things I’m most proud of, that I can fill so many roles in so many scenarios, and still help my team find a way to win.

Olson: It’s amazing, even though it sounds crazy-making! Do you know anybody else that is covering that many different spots, or ever has? I was trying like crazy to find a comp for that, and will admit, I struggled to.

Winge: I don’t think so, not off the top of my head, anyway. A lot of people go back and forth between the sideline reporter and hosting roles, but not many then also add analyst into the mix, let alone the other pieces I’m covering. Chris Dempsey is dabbling in it as well, he’s done the radio analyst role, hosted Nuggets Live a couple times, and been the sideline reporter as well, but he’s not rotating as vigorously as I do. I get thrown into every role depending on the game and the need, and it’s been exciting. It’s a great opportunity to go with the flow in that regard.

Olson: So, the Color Analyst addition is a huge addition to that already-sizable list. Did I miss anything? Are they also making you do any janitorial work or food prep on the side?

Winge: (laughs) Not YET, anyway. I do, however, also cover the Fantasy Football Hour. So, after a couple games at analyst, I then covered the Fantasy Football Hour, which is a national show, so it’s one more addition to the mix.

Olson: Good grief. So much going on for you. As to the unique voices you’re trying to use for each of these roles, it’s noticeable, and I think it really shone through in the color work these past couple games. I also hear you loud and clear that you’re loving the mix of things, but is there a favorite role amongst them at the moment?

Winge: There isn’t. I get asked this a lot, which then seems to beg the follow up question of, “What do you want to do?” Meaning, which of these roles do I want to hone in on? For me, I love how doing a bunch of different roles keeps me on my toes. I can’t get bored, I can’t plateau, I can’t get even get into a rhythm where I don’t feel challenged. This setup makes that impossible for me.

Olson: You literally cannot fall into a rut.

Winge: Exactly. There are so many moving pieces. That is such a blessing in so many ways. However, on the flip side of that, I’m a perfectionist, and want to do the best job I can. I want to be an expert, and become one of the best in the business, and it’s harder to hone in and perfect a certain role when I’m bouncing around as much as I am. So to solve for that, I have to work even harder, hone my voice for each, and utilize who I am to be able to bring the most to any of these roles. I have to lean into honing myself a little more, as opposed to the specific skill sets that each role holds, if that makes any sense.

Olson: It makes perfect sense. A fine balance for that. You brought up the fact that this is the first time you’d gotten to do the broadcast solo with Chris Marlowe. I well remember your first time at this last year, with you being added to the broadcast as a color analyst for the first time. It was International Women’s Day, and it was all a really great story, but it also was a three-person crew, and all seemed very specific to that moment. I loved that, and the fanfare that came around it.

Which was why I was a little surprised this year when I turned on the telecast a few nights back, and it was just you and Chris. Nobody really said much about it, aside from comments from the fan base. There was a part of me that was feeling the topic really deserved more attention. But the more I considered it, I wondered if it’s actually an even more impressive bit of commentary that there’s so little fanfare. Basically saying that you’ve shown worth to such a degree that you obviously belong in the seat. What are your feelings? Is it better to have it be a big deal, or is it better that it’s just another day?

Winge: That’s a great question. I have been blown away by how positive the feedback to the last couple games has been. My producers told me at the beginning of the season that they didn’t want last season’s analyst appearance to have just been because it was International Women’s Day. They wanted that point to be very clear. That was the opportunity they took to slide me in, but also wanted me to know I’d proven my worth, and that I could do that job. They took that moment last year as a practice run to see if I could do it. They knew I had the basketball knowledge, but wanted to know if I could still deliver. Could I go through the role and skills to convey all I needed to in a way that is entertaining and informative? Will people learn from me? All of the question marks that float around that. It meant everything to me that it wasn’t just something we’re going to do every year on that day.

Olson: It makes a ton of sense, you’ve definitely earned it. My favorite part of that is this: if someone were to pull those two games down to transcripts, your contributions would stand out because of the content and insights you offered, not because it was a woman in the seat. The value in that to me is that it means that this is a special thing because of what you bring to the table instead of because of who you are. We can simply say there’s someone in this seat who adds as much or more value as anyone else we can put there. I think in that way, it means even more to me that it wasn’t a big deal. Is that crazy? Am I downplaying progress too soon?

Winge: I agree with you, wholeheartedly. To me, it wasn’t about me being a woman. To me, this was about changing things up over the course of the season, and me being well-qualified to take on that role. It’s about a change of pace and a different voice, not about doing something “correct”. To that end, it’s not just me that’s being mixed into that slot over the course of the season. Even though I probably switch roles more than anyone else, it’s kind of a hallmark of Altitude, having people be able to serve in multiple spots. I think that’s what makes those things entertaining in lot of ways, is their unpredictability, and this just adds to it.

Olson: Abnormally normal. I like it. I hope you’re hearing this glowing feedback from more folks than just me…

Winge: I really have been surprised. Because it wasn’t announced, I wondered if fan’s responses would be more along the lines of, “what the heck is going on?” But for the most part, the responses were much more about wanting to hear more of me in the booth, and loving what I’m bringing. That means the world to hear, and I’m very thankful.

Olson: Speaking of thanks, we’re chatting the day before Thanksgiving, but this will probably go up on DNVR the day after. What are you thankful for this year?

Winge: SO many things. A wonderful family that supports this dream of mine, regardless of where it takes me or what sorts of roles it puts me in. To have the opportunities I do. To have a team that believes in me and supports what I’m doing. I don’t think you find that in very many places. To have someone willing to bet on me, take that chance on me, is something I’m extremely thankful for.

Olson: I’m betting they’re pretty thankful at this point as well, as you’re making them look smart for the choices they’ve made.

Last time we got a chance to chat, we talked about a pretty big list of names that you were awed to be following in the footsteps of, and I know that’s still true. But it seems to me as if with all the multiple roles you’re pursuing, you’re also blazing your own path here. With another year under your belt, is there someone else’s career out there you admire so much you want to follow it step for step, or is this now about carving your own path?

Winge: There is a lot of this that has become about making my own path, for sure. That being said, I love the people we spoke of so much. Doris (Burke), who has set forth in this to make sure so many of us even have a path to go down. The next game I get to call is our game in Brooklyn, and Sarah Kustok is their main analyst. She’s someone that I’ve turned to in so many times for advice and guidance, and is a very dear friend of mine in this industry. For us both to have the opportunity to be a part of that broadcast, two female analysts on at the same time, will be amazing. Adding our friendship and our background, that’s going to be really cool for me.

Olson: That is exceptionally cool. A rare occasion, indeed. What’s your favorite aspects of this Nuggets team this year?

Winge: The growth that I’ve already seen. The way some of these guys have matured into their roles, it makes for so many exciting things to come. We’ve already seen them win in ways they probably wouldn’t have won last year. The consistency from players who have been fighting for it, and their ability to take their games to entirely new levels. You look at Will Barton, Paul Millsap, Jamal Murray, the way that those three are playing, and how each guy is embracing the role they are given to help the team to success. Coach Malone keeps preaching this selfless mentality, and all these players are embracing that. That’s a really cool thing to be able to witness.

Olson: Where do they still need to improve the most? What gets them over the hump this year?

Winge: Tough question. The West has changed so much in terms of talent that I’ll lean into my last answer. As great as it is to see all of this consistency, if they cannot maintain it, and continue to find ways to stick together, play together, and win… that could be trouble. That factor is what will decide if the Denver Nuggets are really good or just ok.

Additionally, it sounds so simple, but they just need to find a way to make shots. Their offense had been their calling card for so long, that when they came out this year with defense as their identity, it was quite a change. It will be interesting to see how they do when the offense falls into place.

Olson: Love it. Any last words, my friend?

Winge: Congrats on DNVR. It’s been so fun watching it from afar, everything you guys are putting together, the site is absolutely killing it, the community is wonderful, and I don’t think there’s anything else like it in Denver, so it’s been fun to be a cheerleader for you guys from afar.

Olson: See? This is why I am thankful for you, Katy Winge. You’re just good people. Have an amazing holiday.

Winge: You too, my friend!

Many thanks to Katy Winge for taking a few moments out of her busy schedule and multiple roles to add a little color to DNVR!