Turner Sports has promoted LENNY DANIELS to President, where he will oversee the division's day-to-day business. Daniels will remain based in Atlanta and continue to report to Turner Broadcasting System President DAVID LEVY. Daniels, who had been Turner Sports Exec VP & COO, will oversee the company's league relationships, an important role as Turner has started informal talks to renew its NBA media-rights deal. Levy, who sat with NBA Commissioner ADAM SILVER at Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Miami, will continue to lead those talks. Turner Sports also is expected to be active in pursuing the NFL's Thursday night package when that comes to the open market in the next year or two -- talks that also will be led by Levy. But Daniels will be heavily involved in both of those negotiations. Turner says Daniels was part of its media-rights negotiations with MLB in '12 and the NCAA in '10. Turner execs credit Daniels with the "Teamcast" idea around this year's Final Four, where truTV and TNT produced separate telecasts. Turner also says Daniels played a "primary role" in '12's Bleacher Report acquisition. Levy last August was promoted to his current role. He had been President of Turner's Sales, Sports & Distribution division. While continuing to oversee the sports division, Levy has spent much of the last year grooming Daniels for this position, insiders say.
