Business Unit News
FOX Sports Announces Major Executive Reorganization
Ed Goren Elevated to Vice Chairman, FOX Sports Media Group
Eric Shanks Named President, FOX Sports
New York & Los Angeles – FOX Sports Media Group
Chairman & CEO David Hill today announced a major executive
reorganization resulting in the elevation of Ed Goren, a
founding FOX Sports executive, to vice chairman, FOX Sports
Media Group and the appointment of Eric Shanks, formerly a
senior executive with DIRECTV, to FOX Sports president. At age
38, Mr. Shanks is believed to be the youngest president of a
broadcast network sports division ever. Both Mr. Goren and Mr.
Shanks report to Mr. Hill and the appointments are effective
June 1.
Last January, all sports operations, including FOX Sports, the
company’s 19 regional sports networks, Fox Soccer Channel,
SPEED, Fox Sports en Español, FUEL TV and FOX Sports Interactive
Media were placed under the supervision of Mr. Hill, as were the
company’s interests in joint venture businesses STATS, LLC. and
Big Ten Network, all of which are now housed within the FOX
Sports Media Group.
“This reorganization better positions FOX Sports Media Group and
FOX Sports for growth right now and in the future,” said Mr.
Hill. “Ed is one of the most respected, experienced sports
television executives in the country and has played a key role
in making FOX Sports the industry leader it is today.
“I am incredibly excited to welcome Eric back to FOX Sports at
this extremely important time,” Mr. Hill continued. “Eric has
spent the last decade and a half developing a domestic and
international expertise in production, programming, interactive
and enhanced TV services at FOX Sports, and more recently at
DIRECTV. These skills are going to be essential as we adapt our
business to an ever-changing landscape with dynamic new
technologies that seem to emerge on a daily basis.”
Offered News Corporation deputy chairman, president and chief
operating officer Chase Carey, who works closely with Mr. Goren
at FOX Sports and who worked with Mr. Shanks at DIRECTV: “This
reorganization will help us realize the full potential of the
FOX Sports Media Group, which was designed to maximize the
strength of the FOX Sports brand across all platforms. Ed and
Eric are extremely talented executives and great complements to
each other. Under David’s leadership, we’re confident the group
will continue to grow.”
In his new role, Mr. Goren’s responsibilities expand to assist
Mr. Hill, with whom he’s worked side-by-side for more than 16
years, in all aspects of FOX Sports Media Group’s business and
programming operations, including production, program
development, research, marketing and on-air promotion,
scheduling and identifying new business opportunities. He
retains his position on the Big Ten Network board of directors.
“I’m excited to have Eric, whom I recruited from CBS 16 years
ago, return to us and succeed me as FOX Sports president,” said
Mr. Goren. “He’s an extremely bright and talented young
executive with a 21st century skill set, and I’m looking forward
to working with him and with David to maximize and develop all
of the networks and websites in the FOX Sports Media Group.”
Mr. Goren, 65, a 46-time Emmy Award winner, brings over 40 years
of television programming and production experience to his new
role. During his tenure as FOX Sports executive producer and
president, the network has broadcast 16 NFL seasons, including
five Super Bowls; 15 MLB seasons, with 12 World Series and 11
All-Star Games; 10 NASCAR campaigns, including eight Daytona
500s; five NHL regular- and postseasons; and four Bowl
Championships Series, with three National Championship Games.
Under his direction, FOX Sports has been honored with 82 Emmy
Awards and earned the Sports Business Journal’s 2008 Sports
Business Award for Best in Sports Media.
Mr. Shanks is the third president of FOX Sports since its
inception in December 1993, succeeding Mr. Hill and Mr. Goren.
Having joined FOX Sports in 1994 as a broadcast associate, his
appointment today is the very definition of the American
corporate success story. Mr. Shanks, a six-time Emmy
Award-winner and a member of the Sports Business Journal’s
prestigious “40 Under 40” Hall of Fame, assumes Goren’s
day-to-day responsibilities. He’ll now oversee programming,
production, field and studio operations, marketing, promotion,
communications, business and legal affairs for America’s
top-rated network sports division the last 13 years.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for me, and I'm looking
forward to returning to FOX and working closely with David, Ed,
and all of the talented men and women who make FOX Sports the
best sports network in the world," said Mr. Shanks. "Our goal
will be to build upon our big event strategy and closely examine
new programming opportunities and new production and delivery
technologies so FOX Sports remains an industry leader well into
the future."
Mr. Shanks served as executive vice president of DIRECTV
Entertainment since 2006, overseeing business activities related
to the development of DIRECTV’s original entertainment,
interactive programming and advertising sales. In addition, he
was also responsible for the DIRECTV Sports Networks business
unit comprised of regional sports networks in Seattle, Denver
and Pittsburgh. In his role, Mr. Shanks developed innovative
content and services that were compelling and distinct. His
advances include the launch of DIRECTV on DEMAND; The 101
Network, which among other programs features the Dan Patrick
Show; DIRECTV’s exclusive NASCAR package; the addition of the
NFL RedZone feature to DIRECTV’s exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET
package; and its recently announced 3D programming initiative.
In 2006, Mr. Shanks formed DIRECTV’s first in-house advertising
sales team. He joined DIRECTV in 2004 as senior vice president
of Advanced Services and Content responsible for business
activities related to the development of DIRECTV receivers and
advanced services such as digital video recording, interactive
television and high-definition television.
Prior to joining DIRECTV, Mr. Shanks served as a producer at FOX
Sports and as vice president of Enhanced Programming for FOX
Television Networks. His accomplishments there include producing
NFL Europe coverage and FSN’s THE BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD,
as well as launching Sky Sport 1 and 2 for the Sky Italia
platform in Italy.
Mr. Shanks joined FOX SPORTS in 1994, the network's inaugural
NFL season. He also served on production crews for FOX Sports’
coverage of the NHL and MLB. Mr. Shanks helped develop the
FOXTrax “glowing puck” and yellow first down line that is a
staple of today’s televised football. He began his sports
television career as a broadcast associate at CBS Sports in
1993.
back to top |
return to list
Contact:
Lou D’Ermilio 212/556-2573
Dan Bell 310/369-6326