Fox Sports Reorganizes Leadership Team

In a reorganization of FOX Sports’ executive management structure, veteran executives David Nathanson and Bill Wanger have assumed new responsibilities, effective immediately.

Nathanson has been appointed General Manager & Chief Operating Officer, FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2, a newly created position, while Wanger, FOX Sports’ Executive Vice President, Programming & Research is now Executive Vice President, Programming, Research & Content Strategy.

The announcement was made by FOX Sports President, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Producer Eric Shanks, to whom both Nathanson and Wanger report.

Reporting to Nathanson, as the senior management team guiding both national sports channels, are 19-year FOX Sports veterans Scott Ackerson, who becomes Executive Vice President, News; George Greenberg, whose title is now Executive Vice President, Content Integration & Presentation; and Michael Bloom, who remains FOX Sports’ Senior Vice President, Original Programming.

“It’s been over three months since we launched FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2, and over time we’ve identified areas that require focused attention from experienced executives,” said Shanks. “David and Bill are two of the most valued executives at FOX Sports, and we’re excited to expand and redefine their roles.  Scott and George have held a variety of senior posts here over the years, while Michael has demonstrated a tremendously creative skill set.  I have complete confidence that this is the right team to oversee our new channels as we transition from the launch phase to the next stage of development.”

Executive reorganization follows the recent promotion of former FOX Sports Co-President and COO Randy Freer to President and Chief Operating Officer, Fox Networks Group where he assumed oversight of FNG’s revenue, distribution and operations.  It also follows the promotion of Jeff Krolik, formerly Executive Vice President, FOX Sports Regional Networks to President, FOX Sports Regional Networks, where he oversees Fox’s industry-leading 22 regional sports networks and FOX Deportes, the No. 1 U.S. Latino sports channel.

Nathanson, who as the General Manager of FOX Soccer spearheaded FOX Sports’ FIFA World Cup rights acquisition in 2011, works closely with FOX Sports’ existing service departments, including programming and research, sales, marketing and communications to oversee administration of the developing channels in his charge.  He will also continue to manage FOX Soccer Plus.  In addition to his current responsibilities overseeing programming and research for all FOX Sports linear channels, including FOX Sports (broadcast), FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2 and FOX Deportes, Wanger’s new responsibilities include content strategy for all FOX Sports outlets, adding his voice to the business affairs team assessing long-term rights acquisition opportunities and value.

Ackerson, an Emmy Award winner many times over, continues to be responsible for FOX Sports 1’s news coverage, including FOX SPORTS LIVE, the channel’s nightly flagship news, opinion and highlights program.  Greenberg, also a multi-Emmy Award winner and the former Executive Vice President & General Manager of FUEL TV, oversees content integration flow within all FOX Sports 1 shows, and continues to supervise UFC productions efforts and studio directors.  Bloom continues being responsible for creating and developing new, original programming for all FOX Sports networks, primarily FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports Regional Networks and FOX Deportes.