This Week’s Movers in Sports Media & Marketing

This week in the sports media and marketing ecosystem, Bleacher Report promotes Howard Mittman to CEO, a former MLB star joins ESPN’s Baseball Tonight and the Carolina Panthers announce the team’s CMO.

For job openings and more on who’s moving where, check out the Hashtag Sports Weekly roundup.

Bleacher Report Promotes Howard Mittman to CEO, Replacing Co-Founder Dave Finocchio

Howard Mittman will replace Dave Finocchio as Bleacher Report’s new CEO. Finocchio announced he is stepping away from the company as a whole with no indication of what is to come next for the company’s co-founder. Finocchio wrote in a company-wide memo “I view life as a collection of experiences, and though B/R might very well be the most incredible journey I’ll ever go on, I want to have some others.” Finocchio founded Bleacher Report in 2005 and served as the company’s CEO for the last three years.

Carolina Panthers Name CMO

Meredith Starkey has been announced as the Carolina Panther’s new CMO. Starkey has over twenty years of brand building experience, and most recently served as T-Mobile’s VP of Sponsorships and Events. Panthers President Tom Glick says Starkey is a proven difference maker in the industry and knows how to deliver special moments, memories and experiences that fuel passionate fandom.

World Series Champ Set to Join Baseball Tonight

Former Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has signed a multi-year agreement with ESPN to serve as an analyst on Baseball Tonight. Howard will make his debut in early March during ESPN’s spring training coverage, and is set to appear regularly on SportsCenter, Get Up! and ESPN Radio in addition to Baseball Tonight. In his 13-year tenure with the Phillies, the former MVP led the league in RBIs three times and HRs twice.

NBC Sports President Expands on Role

Pete Bevacqua is set to expand on his role as NBC Sports President by gaining oversight of the entire NBC Sports Group portfolio in addition to his prior duties of managing programming, marketing, digital, golf, and the NBC Sports Regional Network. Bevacqua’s expanded role will also extend across NBC Olympics coverage, production, and operations amongst other things. Bevacqua joined the company in his role as President last September.

MLG Co-Founder Joins 100 Thieves Board of Directors

Following a three-year stint with Activision Blizzard as SVP, Major League Gaming co-founder Mike Sepso is joining 100 Thieves, the prominent esports and content creation brand. Sepso spent nearly 13 years with MLG prior to their acquisition by Activision Blizzard in 2016. In addition to serving in his new role with 100 Thieves, Sepso will also continue working with Electronic Sports Group as Chairman, and with New York Excelsior as an Investor and Strategic Advisor.

Sixers Insider Jumping to MLB.com

Jessica Camerato announced on Twitter that she will be joining MLB.com this upcoming baseball season to cover the Boston Red Sox, along with other visiting teams at Fenway Park. Camerato previously covered the Philadelphia 76ers for over two years with NBC Sports where she wrote, broadcasted and managed the network’s social media presence regarding Sixers coverage.

ONE Championship Announces Group President

Hua Fung Teh has been promoted to group president of the largest global sports media property in Asia, ONE Championship. Teh says he is honored by the promotion and is going to continue the “quest to bring authentic martial arts action to the world.” Prior to the move, Teh served as Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of Greater China of ONE Championship.

Foxtel Head of Sports Marketing is Out

After being appointed as Foxtel’s Director of Sports Marketing last September, Adam Ballesty has quit his role with the Australian-based subscription TV operator. It was reported by News Corp that Foxtel experienced a subscriber decline following a subscription price increase under Ballesty’s tenure.

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