Ever wonder how executives in sports business spend their weekends? THE DAILY this week continues "What's Up For The Weekend," providing readers with an inside look at people in our industry. This week, we catch up with Fox Sports Media Group co-President & co-COO ERIC SHANKS, who chatted with Staff Writer Theresa Manahan.
Q: What are your plans for the weekend?
Shanks: Family time at our farm in Ojai, Calif.
Q: What are you really looking forward to? Anything special planned?
Shanks: The kids play with the animals and ride horses and our dog is getting trained to avoid rattle snakes this weekend. Then in the studio Sunday for the NASCAR race.
Q: What do you like to watch and read on the weekend?
Shanks: Currently reading "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" and "The Knight and the Dragon." I think I will be reading these until the kids wear out the pages.
Q: What workout routines or activities do you like to do on the weekend?
Shanks: Mostly working on the farm and tearing things up with the tractor.
Q: The thing that our readers would be most surprised you love to do on your weekends is...
Shanks: Prune the avocado and orange trees, and lots of weed whacking.
Q: Best weekend ever?
Shanks: When I get to work on the farm.
Q: Guilty weekend pleasure?
Shanks: There's a tequila ambassador (yes, there are tequila ambassadors) in Ojai. I go to his restaurant and make his tequila feel welcome here in America.
Q: Favorite local restaurant?
Shanks: Via Veneto.
Q: What is your favorite local nightlife activity?
Shanks: Anything the kids want to do. Usually playing Zingo and reading books.
Q: Must-see weekend event?
Shanks: The Sprint Cup race in Phoenix! And the Indiana-Ohio State basketball game.
Q: What do you usually do to pass time on a plane?
Shanks: If I'm on a Delta flight with CHRIS MYERS, we play their trivia game against the other passengers. I have yet to come within 1,000 points of him. On other flights, I am studying useless trivia in hopes of beating him.
