NFL Network President & CEO Steve Bornstein was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable HOF last night in N.Y. Bornstein was honored for his work at ESPN from '80-'02, as well as his time at the NFL when he launched NFL Network and NFL RedZone and brought in billions of dollars in rights fees. During his speech, Bornstein said his career has been guided by a simple philosophy: "Do whatever it takes to hire the right people, the smartest people, the most motivated people, the people with the most integrity, and give them the tools to do their job and then get out of their way."
Bornstein called his role helping to build ESPN "one of the highlights of my career." On his role with the NFL, Bornstein said, "I'm flattered anyone would think I've had a positive impact on the NFL. The bottom line is that under Paul Tagliabue, and now Roger Goodell, the leadership of the league would have continued to thrive with or without me." NFL execs seated at Bornstein's table last night included NFL Media COO Brian Rolapp, Senior VP/Broadcasting & Media Operations COO Howard Katz, Senior VP/Media Strategy & Development Hans Schroeder, NFL Network Exec Producer Eric Weinberger and NFL Network Senior VP/Programming & Production Mark Quenzel.
