This Week’s Movers in Sports Media & Marketing

This week in the sports media and marketing ecosystem, Chris Mannix rejoins Sports Illustrated, The Action Network finds a new CEO, Disney appoints a 20-year vet to lead ESPN+, and Twitter creates a role to focus on diversity, creativity, and community.

For job openings and more on who’s moving where, check out the Hashtag Sports Weekly roundup.

Fansided Hires Jason Cole as its New Editor-in-Chief

Jason Cole is the new editor-in-Chief of Meredith’s FanSided.com. In addition to managing content and editorial operations for the flagship site, Cole will contribute to the development of The Fandom 250 and Fan of the Year events, and is also expected to work with the publisher’s various team and league sites. Cole currently teaches journalism at the University of Florida but holds over 25 years of experience that includes NFL beat reporting for the Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald and more recent work with Yahoo! and Bleacher Report.

Disney Makes Russell Wolff, a 20-year ESPN Exec, Head of ESPN+

ESPN’s handing over the reigns of its new streaming service, to Russell Wolff, who will serve as executive VP and general manager of ESPN+. In the new role, he’ll be working with ESPN and Disney’s direct-to-consumer and international segment to manage ESPN+, while also contributing to the profitability of the brand’s digital products. Wolff has been with ESPN since joining its international arm in 1997. Most recently, he served as executive VP and managing director of ESPN International, where he led the worldwide leader’s digital expansion across the globe.

FuboTV Brings in Former Sky Exec as Chief Strategy Officer

Hannah Brown is set to join FuboTV, the New York City-based streaming-TV startup that is preparing to launch in new territories internationally, as its first chief strategy officer for international expansion. In the new role, Brown will lead their strategic development and execution. Previously, she served as senior VP of corporate development at Relevent Sports. Before joining Relevent, she spent almost a decade at Sky and lead business development, partnerships, and investments in startups (including FuboTV).

The Action Network Announces New CEO

Patrick Keane, former Bleacher Report board member, and original seed investor in The Action Network has joined the sports gambling media company as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Noah Szubski. Keane has previous experience in the media realm, as CMO for CBS Interactive and CEO of Associated Content, which was eventually sold to Yahoo.

Twitter Taps God-Is Rivera for Newly Created Role, Director of Creative and Community

God-is Rivera is leaving WPP agency VMLY&R and joining Twitter in the newly created role of director of creative and community. In the new position, Rivera will help the platform and their partners better engage its global communities through marketing, campaigns, events, and experiences. In addition, she’ll manage relationships with outside organizations. Previously, Rivera served as director of inclusion and cultural resonance at VML.

Chris Mannix Leaves Yahoo to Rejoin Sports Illustrated

After spending the past couple of years at Yahoo!, Chris Mannix is leaving to rejoin Sports Illustrated. Mannix had a host of roles with Yahoo! since he began in 2016, as a contributor to the Wojnarowski-centered NBA site, The Vertical, columnist, podcast and live show host. His departure from Yahoo! is significant, as it adds to the long list of names that have been poached away from the company recently. Mannix worked at Sports Illustrated from 2003-2016, and upon his return, he’ll work with its subscription-based service SI Now and will be seen frequently on the front lines for the publishers’ latest projects.

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