Fox Sports President & COO Eric Shanks said that he was "more perplexed than angry by press reports last week that painted Fox Sports as a company in disarray," according to John Ourand in this week's SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Shanks, in his first public comments since National Networks President Jamie Horowitz was fired, "especially pushed back on reports of low morale among the company’s rank and file." He said, "There’s been an odd re-energizing to succeed and execute our playbook. We have a great team here that has bought into our strategy. ... It’s tough to find people who are walking around and moping.” Shanks did not comment on Horowitz’ departure "or the sexual harassment probe that is ongoing at the company." However, he was "eager to dispute the narrative that Horowitz’s departure has left a sports division that is rudderless and unsure of its future." Shanks said that he is in "no hurry to fill Horowitz’s role." Ourand notes Shanks has "taken over many of Horowitz’s responsibilities and has met with the talent, many of whom have a tremendous amount of loyalty to Horowitz." Shanks "stressed that he oversaw the development of FS1’s strategy and owns all of the decisions that were made during Horowitz’s two-year stint." That means Fox Sports Digital will "continue to pursue a strategy to emphasize video that promotes their television personalities." There also is "no part of Fox Sports that Shanks is ready to switch now that Horowitz is gone." That means FS1 shows such as “Undisputed” and “Speak For Yourself” will "continue to be a focal point for Fox Sports" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/10 issue).
MORE COMING? In L.A., Tom Hoffarth cited sources as saying that "more upper management firings could continue" at Fox Sports after Horowitz' ouster. This might be a good time for Shanks to "reverse the course of what craziness Horowitz had been going," but that "doesn’t appear to be happening any time soon." Horowitz may have "resuscitated FS1 from a non-existent place, but it’s an odd goal trying to compete with ESPN when the channel isn’t even as comprehensive as NBCSN as a sports destination" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 7/9). In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote Shanks "gave Horowitz too much authority and got only mediocre results in return." Now, with the firing, Shanks’ decision "looks even worse." Shanks also "might want to take his time, and think clearly, before he selects the next genius to replace Horowitz" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/9).
NOLAN ON THE MOVE? Author James Andrew Miller reported FS1's Katie Nolan likely is "headed to @espn," though the timing is in question. Nolan is "under contract" with Fox until end of the year." Miller: "Will they let her go early?" (TWITTER.com, 7/7).
