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.
