Regional sports networks are among the most profitable groups at companies like Comcast and 21st Century Fox. They have proved to be such good business that teams have launched their own RSNs or taken equity positions in existing ones. RSNs also represent some of the strongest bonds that fans have with their teams.
But the same problems that are affecting national sports media channels have come to the RSNs. The combination of rising rights fees and falling subscriber numbers has led to a burgeoning business around RSNs, made up of leagues, consultants, talent and technical providers.
In the final Power Players recognition for 2017, SportsBusiness Journal staff writer John Ourand highlights the executives, consultants and on-air talent who are out front in leading RSNs through this period of media disruption.
EXECUTIVES
Jeff Krolik, Fox Sports Regional Networks
Michael Connelly, Fox Sports Networks
Billy Chambers, Fox Sports Media Group
Kyle Sherman and Craig Sloan, Home Team Sports
Steve Tello, Fox Sports Florida / Sun
Jeff Genthner, Fox Sports South / Carolinas, Tennessee / Southeast
Lindsay Amstutz, Fox Sports West / San Diego / Prime Ticket
Randy Levine, New York Yankees, and Jon Litner, YES Network
Tony Petitti, MLB
Tom Werner, Boston Red Sox
Philip Garvin, Mobile TV Group
Andrea Greenberg, MSG Networks
Sean McGrail, New England Sports Network
Scott Moore, Rogers Spotsnet
Derrick Hall, Arizona Diamondbacks
David Proper, NHL
Crane Kenney, Chicago Cubs
David Preschlack, NBC Sports Regional Networks
Ted Griggs, NBC Sports Regional Networks
Bill Bridgen, NBC Sports Regional Networks
Princell Hair, NBC Sports Boston
Brian Monihan, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Bill Bell, NBC Sports Washington
John Angelos, Baltimore Orioles
Bill Koenig, NBA
Steve Raab, SportsNet New York
Patrick Crumb, AT&T Sports Networks
Shawn McClintock, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
Mike Bair, Spectrum Networks
Zach Leonsis, Monumental Sports Network
ON-AIR TALENT
Mike Krukow and Dale Kuiper, NBC Sports Bay Area
Jim Palmer, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network
Jim Petersen, Fox Sports North
Keith Hernandez, SportsNet New York
Tommy Heinsohn, NBC Sports Boston
Eddie Olczyk, NBC Sports Chicago
Brian Anderson, Fox Sports Wisconsin
Walt Frazier, MSG Network
Daryl Reaugh, Fox Sports Southwest
Dennis Eckersley, New England Sports Network
CONSULTANTS
Chris Bevilacqua, Bevilacqua Helfant Ventures
Steve Greenberg, Allen & Co.
Ed Desser, Desser Sports Media
Alan Gold, Evolution Media Capital
Lee Berke, LHB Sports, Entertainment & Media
