MLB Network Names Rob McGlarry President

MLB Network today announced that longtime baseball executive and current network EVP Rob McGlarry has been named president of MLB Network, reporting to MLB President of Business and Media Bob Bowman, effective immediately. McGlarry succeeds Tony Petitti in the role, following Petitti’s appointment as COO of Major League Baseball.

“Rob McGlarry is the right person to extend the successes of MLB Network,” says Bowman. “He is ideally suited to integrate the network with MLB’s other media assets.”

Says Petitti, “I’m incredibly proud of all that MLB Network has achieved in its first six years. Rob McGlarry is one of the most talented and experienced executives in the business, and I know MLB Network will only continue to thrive and grow under Rob’s leadership.”

McGlarry, who will have oversight of all day-to-day operations of the network, has been an executive at MLB Network since its launch in 2009, first as SVP of programming and business affairs and most recently as EVP, content. He has been instrumental in the network’s affiliate relations, including its recent distribution renewals, as well as its programming and on-air production.

Prior to joining MLB Network, McGlarry worked at Major League Baseball from 2003 to 2008. As VP of broadcasting business affairs, McGlarry played a key role in negotiating MLB’s broadcasting deals and the landmark agreements to create and launch MLB Network.