HBO yesterday announced that NFL Network Exec Producer ERIC WEINBERGER "has joined the newly formed Bill Simmons Media Group" as President, according to Lesley Goldberg of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. As part of the job, Weinberger will also "serve as one of the executive producers" on BILL SIMMONS' upcoming HBO talk show and be "charged with building a new content website and podcast network, as well as developing scripted and nonscripted projects, shortform, digital content and other projects as part of Simmons' first-look deal for HBO and HBO Now." Weinberger has "experience in awards, events and live studio shows as well as sports and entertainment programming during his tenure at NFL Network." As an exec producer, he "helped create more than 2,500 hours of live studio programming." Before joining NFL Network, Weinberger "was the senior producer" of FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show Period" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 11/23). NFL Network's Scott Hanson wrote, "Congrats to @ericweinberger -- an @nflnetwork ORIGINAL who helped change the way we enjoy football." NFL Network's Steve Mariucci: "Thanks for all you've done for football fans everywhere @ericweinberger." Business Insider's Cork Gaines: "Lost in the Bill Simmons news today was that this was a hire by Simmons, not HBO. Simmons is no longer just 'talent.'"
