You’ve got a new ESPN President to influence BERT!
http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/espn-names-president-after-john-skippers-resignation
ESPN names president after John Skipper's resignation
Matthew RoccoPublished March 05, 2018
Walt Disney announced on Monday that digital and consumer products head James
Pitaro will take over as president of ESPN.
Pitaro replaces the sports network’s longtime chief, John Skipper, who abruptly
resigned in December, citing substance abuse.
Pitaro has served as chairman of Disney’s consumer products and interactive
media division since 2016. He will continue to report directly to CEO Robert
Iger, who said the new ESPN president has the “right strategic vision,
relentless drive and passion for sports required to lead the stellar ESPN team
at this incredibly dynamic time.”
Pitaro, who jumped from Yahoo to Disney in 2010, steps into his new position at
a time when ESPN is grappling with industry challenges. After losing millions
of subscribers as more consumers ditch traditional cable, ESPN plans to launch
its own streaming service, ESPN+, this spring. ESPN+ will cost $4.99 per month,
and it will launch alongside a new ESPN mobile app.
The “Worldwide Leader in Sports” has also dealt with recent controversy related
to claims that ESPN has become too political in its coverage. Last year, Jemele
Hill, then an anchor of “SportsCenter,” generated controversy when she called
President Donald Trump a “white supremacist” in a tweet. She later received a
suspension for saying fans should boycott sponsors of the Dallas Cowboys after
owner Jerry Jones suggested he would bench players for kneeling during the
national anthem.
Before his resignation, Skipper oversaw changes to ESPN’s social media policy
for employees, with the network reminding journalists to avoid discussing
politics. During a staff meeting in December, ESPN Senior Vice President Kevin
Merida told employees that the network is “not a political organization.”
Pitaro’s appointment comes as Disney works to complete a $52.4 billion deal to
buy 21st Century Fox entertainment and film assets, including regional sports
networks. 21st Century Fox is the parent of FOX Business.
