ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro to Receive Tech Innovation Award

StartUp Westport announces that Jimmy Pitaro, the Chairman of ESPN, will be honored as the first-ever recipient of the Innovator of the Year Award on Tuesday, April 30^th, at The Westport Library.

The StartUp Westport Innovator of the Year Award is presented annually to a member of the greater Westport community whose work exemplifies the ability to embrace opportunities, forward looking ideas or technologies that shape the future for the betterment of the lives of others.

ESPN sports personality Mike Greenberg, host of the daily morning show Get Up, the NFL Draft and his own ESPN Radio program, will interview Jimmy Pitaro on his accomplishments during the awards ceremony.

Proceeds from the event will go to benefit The Westport Library.

“We could not be more excited to present this award to Jimmy for his outstanding contributions to the greater Westport community and beyond. ESPN brings joy and excitement into the homes of hundreds of millions of people around the globe every day!  Jimmy’s dynamic leadership and groundbreaking initiatives make him a worthy recipient of this honor,” says Cliff Sirlin, president of StartUp Westport.

Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN and a key figure at The Walt Disney Company, has led ESPN to new heights with strategic advancements and innovative concepts. His tenure has seen remarkable growth in ESPN’s digital and social presence, along with a focus on audience expansion. Pitaro’s visionary leadership has positioned ESPN for continued growth and future success.

The April 30th event will showcase ESPN achievements under Pitaro such as securing rights agreements with major entities like the NFL, NCAA, and NHL; launching ESPN+l and driving ratings success with flagship programs like SportsCenter, First Take, and Get Up. His commitment to innovation, diverse storytelling, and community engagement has earned ESPN numerous industry accolades.