Pitaro said he believe leagues, conferences and other rights holders see the value of appearing with ESPNGETTY IMAGES
New ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro "will be put to the test immediately" next month with the launch of the ESPN+ OTT service, according to a cover story by Brian Steinberg of VARIETY. The platform is a "gambit aimed at securing the future for ESPN at a time when its present couldn’t seem more precarious." ESPN's cable nets -- its "core business" -- by the end of this year are expected to be in 14 million fewer homes compared to '10. The net "sparked pushback" with the "SC6" version of "SportsCenter" that some fans "found too opinionated." The relationship between ESPN and the NFL also is "looking shaky." Disney "spends piles of cash on ESPN every year" -- to the tune of an estimated $7.3B annually on sports rights. Yet with viewers "being offered additional video choices and setting up new behaviors," money alone "won’t solve the problem." Jemele Hill’s decision to call out President Trump on Twitter last year put the net "under intense scrutiny." ESPN is "likely to continue tinkering with voice and tone." ESPN Exec VP/Content Connor Schell said, “Authority mixed with personality is a really good thing." Steinberg also notes a recent executive reorganization within Disney "means some critical parts" of ESPN's operation "will not be under" Pitaro's control. Disney Chair of Direct-to-Consumer & Int'l Kevin Mayer "will supervise not only ESPN’s ad sales but streaming projects like ESPN+." An ESPN spokesperson said that Pitaro will "retain influence on these operations and will be regularly engaging with these teams" (VARIETY, 3/27 issue).
SPEAKING FOR HIMSELF: Steinberg notes Pitaro will "immediately grapple with any number of tricky issues." Below are excerpts of a Q&A with the new ESPN president.
On competing for sports rights....
Pitaro: We have always made smart, disciplined bets on rights that return the most value for ESPN. Nothing has changed there. You will continue to see us operate in the same way going forward. I do believe the leagues, conferences and other rights holders see the value of appearing with ESPN.
On the net's relationship with the NFL....
Pitaro: “Monday Night Football” is a priority for ESPN and our business, and our relationship with the NFL is very important to us. The partnership has been successful for both sides over the years. I personally have good relations with the league, and I’ve been in touch with several executives already, and I’m looking forward to continuing the discussion, which will of course include “Monday Night Football.” The focus of our conversation is going to be around how we can grow together.
On ESPN personalities weighing in on political and social issues....
Pitaro: We are not a political organization. We are a sports-media company. And our focus is on serving the sports fans. There will always be intersections between sports and politics. When that news happens, we are going to cover it. ... There is general understanding and alignment in terms of what our best path forward is within the company. … I’m a big believer in the value of social media, and we need to engage with our fans through social media in a thoughtful way, and we are doing that (VARIETY, 3/27 issue).
