ESPN Exec VP & Exec Editor JOHN WALSH "will retire next month, ending a 26-year run with the company," according to Tim Baysinger of BROADCASTING & CABLE. Walsh, whose retirement was first reported by author James Andrew Miller, has been with ESPN since '88 and "is widely considered among the most influential executives in the company’s 35-year history." Walsh "oversaw the launch of ESPN The Magazine and ESPN Radio and has served as executive editor" since late '90 (BROADCASTINGCABLE.com, 1/23). THE WRAP's Tony Maglio writes Walsh "has been referred to as both the 'Godfather' and 'architect' of ESPN." He joined ESPN as a consultant in '87 and "became managing editor a year later." In that role, he "was responsible for the editorial content of all news and informational programming, including 'SportsCenter,' ESPN’s flagship sports news program" (THEWRAP.com, 1/23). NBC News' Luke Russert wrote on Twitter, "John Walsh essentially created the way the public consumes sports today. Probably made more $$$ for the World Wide Leader than anybody." SI's Richard Deitsch wrote, "Brilliant dude. Also, part Keyser Soze."
