Fox Sports has hired former MLB Network executive John Entz to a new senior production role at the company where he will report to Fox Sports co-presidents Eric Shanks and Randy Freer.
Entz left his job as MLB Network’s senior vice president of production following the World Series to join Fox Media Group, where he also will carry the title of senior vice president of production.
 |
Entz was credited with creating the look and feel for MLB Network programming.
Photo by: MLB NETWORK
|
Entz started working at Fox on Nov. 7.
He will oversee studio and event production for the group’s sports channels, including the Fox broadcast network, Speed, Fox Deportes, Fox Soccer, Fuel TV and the regional sports networks. Entz also will oversee digital programming on FoxSports.com and serve as an adviser to the Big Ten Network.
While at MLB Network, Entz was credited for creating the look and feel for the channel’s studio and game programming that has been widely praised. MLB hired Entz several months before the network’s launch to set up its talent and production staff. Entz convinced notable analysts such as Peter Gammons, Bob Costas and Matt Vasgersian to come on board.
MLB Network is looking to replace Entz, but has not hired anyone to fill his position yet.
The move marks a return to Fox for Entz, who held several positions at Fox from 1996 to 2008. In 2003, he worked as a producer on “American Idol.”
Though Entz is on the production side, the move comes as Fox Sports is renegotiating several major rights deals. The network currently is negotiating with the NFL for its Sunday afternoon package. Its rights deal with MLB ends after the 2013 season, and its rights deal with NASCAR ends after the 2014 season.
Entz is a member of SportsBusiness Journal/Daily’s Forty Under 40 class of 2010.
