Activision Blizzard Hires Tony Petitti From MLB

Longtime Major League Baseball executive Tony Petitti is leaving his position as MLB’s deputy commissioner and chief operating officer to enter the esports industry. Video game publisher Activision Blizzard has hired him to be its new president of sports and entertainment. 

Petitti first joined MLB in 2008 to serve as president of MLB Network; he had previously worked as an executive vice president at CBS Sports. He had been considered a candidate to eventually succeed Rob Manfred as MLB commissioner.

Petitti will now oversee esports, consumer products, film and television at Activision Blizzard, which publishes popular gaming titles such as Candy Crush, Call of Duty, and Overwatch. Activision also owns the Call of Duty League and Overwatch League—two city-based esports leagues that Petitti will attempt to help grow in his new role.