TURNER SPORTS
It has been two years since the NBA partnership with Turner Sports called for the network to run the league’s digital assets. Today, the business is thriving thanks in part to Albert “Scooter” Vertino, who as vice president of content for NBA Digital plays a key programming role.
Whether it is NBA news, features or a growing fan demand for statistics and video, it is up to Vertino and his staff to package and deliver it across all of the NBA’s digital outlets, including NBA.com, NBA TV and League Pass.
“We want to make sure that we are one-stop-shopping for NBA fans,” Vertino said. “We get information and access that nobody else gets and we continue to cover as many bases as we can.”
Prior to being named to his current job in September 2010, Vertino was a producer for Turner’s highly acclaimed “NBA on TNT” coverage. But now, Turner’s digital NBA coverage means an instant news cycle, something that Vertino has had to learn on the fly.
“The NBA is very flexible, but the biggest thing for me is getting used to the dot-com world and how quickly you can turn around,” he said.
But it’s not like Vertino doesn’t know the subject. He has covered the NBA during each of his 15 years with Turner, an invaluable knowledge base that allows for quick programming decisions. He also was a standout high school basketball player in suburban Virginia who played against rival and good friend, NBA veteran Grant Hill.
“Scooter has shown tremendous passion for the sport, attention to detail and commitment to delivering the highest quality experience for the fan, a major factor in our decision to provide him with additional opportunities helping oversee the content for some of the league’s key assets,” said David Levy, president of Turner Sports. “He has excelled in his new role and elevated NBA Digital’s portfolio in the process.”
Age: 39
Title: Vice president, content
Organization: NBA Digital
Education: B.A., communication, La Salle University, 1993
Family: Wife, Beth; son, Tommy
Career: Spent two-plus years at ESPN; moved to Turner Sports in 1996
Last vacation: Hilton Head, July 2010
what's on your ipod? Jay-Z to Journey
Guilty pleasure: Reality TV (i.e. “Real World/Road Rules Challenge”) |
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Best stress release: A good a.m. run with the iPod blasting
Pet peeve: Texting as a primary source of communication
Greatest achievement: The birth of our son
Greatest disappointment: How long do you have?
Fantasy job: GM of the Buffalo Bills
Business advice: The work day does not begin at 8 and it does not end at 6. |
