NFL Network CEO Steve Bornstein Enters IMG Auction As Adviser To CVC-Led Bidders Group

NFL media exec and former ESPN Chair Steve Bornstein is "playing a behind-the-scenes role in the auction of sports agency IMG by advising a bidders group headed by British money management firm CVC Capital Partners," according to Grover & Richwine of REUTERS. Two people "with knowledge of the bids" said that if the group is "successful, Bornstein would be a top candidate to become chairman" of IMG. Bornstein, the NFL Network president and CEO who negotiates the "league's multi-billion dollar TV deals," confirmed in October that he "intended to leave the football league in the spring but would not say what he intended to do next." People "familiar with the matter" indicated that CVC is "one of four bidder groups who advanced to the second round of bidding earlier this month." One person said that CVC, which owns F1, is "allied with" former News Corp President Peter Chernin. Representatives for CVC and Chernin "had no comment" (REUTERS, 11/15).