NBC Sports Group hired former ESPN executive Matt Murphy as senior vice president of platforms and strategy for regional sports networks, a new position. Murphy will be based in Stamford, Conn., where he will report to Ted Griggs, NBC Sports Regional Networks president of group and strategic production and programming.
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The well-respected Murphy was part of ESPN’s mass layoffs in October 2015. ESPN cut about 300 employees, mostly in the production and technology groups, as part of a cost-cutting move. Murphy had been with ESPN for more than two decades, rising to senior vice president of digital video distribution. After leaving ESPN, he consulted for several media and tech companies, including Google and Revolt TV.
“Matt will be responsible for developing new and existing platforms for our content, making sure that our content reaches our fans/customers wherever and whenever they want it, and figuring out the future needs and desires of those fans/customers,” Griggs said in an internal memo.
The group also brought on Mike Wargo from CSN Mid-Atlantic to be senior director of multiplatform content, reporting to Murphy.
Murphy and Wargo “will be working closely with [NBC Sports senior vice president and general manager of digital media] Rick Cordella and his digital team to ensure that our approach aligns with the strategy and operations of NBC Sports Digital,” Griggs wrote.
Griggs also promoted Jon Slobotkin to senior vice president of content and live programming. Slobotkin will continue to report to Griggs.
— John Ourand
