The new-look NBC Sports Group will begin to take shape tomorrow, and it will have a decidedly NBC Sports look. NBC is expected to put out a release Wednesday detailing some of the changes it is making, according to several sources. Spokespeople for NBC and Versus did not return phone calls for comment, but sources said that Jamie Davis has been told that he will be leaving Versus after a two-and-a-half-year stint as President.
It is not known where Davis will land or if he will take another job within Comcast. But Davis, who joined the channel in September '08 after a stint as ESPN Star Sports Managing Dir, is well-liked by Comcast brass. It is believed that Davis' responsibilities will be shared by NBC's coordinating producer Sam Flood (production) and Exec VP Jon Miller (programming). Sources say Jon Litner, who will remain Comcast SportsNet President, also will assume some responsibility at Versus.
Sources also have said that Dick Ebersol has settled on Mike McCarley as the new head of Golf Channel. McCarley, who has run communications and marketing for NBC Universal Sports & Olympics, has been with NBC since the late '90s. In September, Page Thompson left Golf Channel, stepping down after a three-year run as President. Both Versus and Golf posted record revenues in '10, a growth trend that was expected to continue this year. Versus posted $60M in revenue in '10; and Golf brought in $100M in revenue in '10, sources said.
