Mandalay Sports Media has bought N.Y.-based production house Roadside Entertainment "in a move that positions Mandalay on both coasts," according to John Ourand in this week's SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Mandalay Sports Media Founder & co-Chair Mike Tollin, the "well-known Hollywood producer and director," launched the company with Warriors and Dodgers co-Owner Peter Guber "nearly two years ago to invest in and develop programming for TV, broadband and mobile platforms." As part of the deal, Roadside partners Ron Yassen and John Hirsch will each take on the title of Mandalay Sports Media Exec VP/Production. Within sports media, Roadside is "best known for producing the ESPYs for ESPN and several documentaries for NFL Network" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 1/20 issue). VARIETY's Brian Steinberg noted Roadside also creates "branded entertainment and commercial projects for advertisers including Reebok, Microsoft, EA Sports, The Honest Company and Unilever." Yassen in addition to his work at Roadside "was part of the launch team at Classic Sports Network (now 'ESPN Classic') and has produced and directed more than 30 documentaries for ESPN, as well as series 'SportsCentury' and 'Outside The Lines.'" Hirsch is an Emmy Award-winning producer and director who "went on to focus on directing teases and promotional elements for the Super Bowl and World Cup" (VARIETY.com, 1/20).
