In the span of two weeks, ESPN has lost its top two affiliate execs. Exec VP/Affiliate Sales & Marketing DAVID PRESCHLACK this morning announced that he is leaving after two decades at the company. Two weeks ago, Preschlack’s boss, Exec VP/Sales & Marketing SEAN BRATCHES, announced he was leaving after a 27-year career. Over the past several years, Preschlack has signed long-term deals for ESPN with the top cable and satellite operators. But his and Bratches' moves come at a critical time for ESPN, which recently sued Verizon for marketing smaller, lower-cost bundles of channels that do not include the net. The news also coincides with the start of the cable industry’s annual convention in Chicago this week. A member of SBJ/SBD’s Forty-Under-40 HOF, Preschlack will remain as an advisor through the end of the year. In an e-mail sent to ESPN employees this morning, ESPN President JOHN SKIPPER wrote, "David has been ... the consummate professional, a trusted colleague, a valued friend and with a relentlessly positive spirit that touched us all." ESPN did not announce a replacement for Preschlack.
