Lynn King Gambatesa, Former FOX Sports and EMG/Gravity Media Operations Executive, Dies on Jan. 4

Lynn King Gambataesa, who spent more than 18 years at FOX Sports and rose to executive director of operations before leaving in 2019 to join VER and, most recently, EMG/Gravity Media, died on Jan. 4

Lynn King Gambatesa spent nearly two decades with FOX Sports and was most recently with EMG/Gravity Media.

The Cleveland native spent her early career in the entertainment industry, working as a production manager for Cinetel Productions and Disney MGM Studios (she also worked as an A2). She would eventually move to Los Angeles and become a key fixture at such companies as FOX Sports, VER, and, most recently, EMG/Gravity Media.

Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer Andrea Berry, EVP, operations and technology, Telemundo Enterprises, who worked closely with King at FOX Sports, says, “For decades, Lynn has been an integral part of our sports community. Our working team was a family, and her drive, passion, and love for this business was one of the reasons we remained as a family. I personally have lost a dear friend with whom I’ve shared very beautiful and memorable life milestones. Gonna miss you, Lynn. Rest in Heaven.”

King started her career at FOX Sports as a production manager in 1998 and rose to director of field operations and, in 2006, executive director, field operations and crewing. Her primary focus was on remote live sports production, including NFL, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, and collegiate sports. At FOX, she was instrumental in building the foundation of both the production-management and crewing departments. As part of a FOX Steering Committee, she collaborated on development of an in-house event-management and payroll system, bringing payroll in-house and providing crewing and travel tools needed to create new operational efficiencies designed to support FOX Sports live productions.

Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer Jerry Steinberg, a former FOX Sports operations executive, who worked closely with King over the years, notes that King never missed a beat as the number of FOX sports events continued to expand. “We were a great team, made great TV, and had a lot of laughs along the way. One of the things about working in this business is that we get to work with people who have the same fire and passion that we do, and Lynn is one of those people. I try not to talk about people in the past tense because the spirit and the soul are eternal. Love you, Lynn.”

After leaving FOX, King was director of crewing operations at VER for two years and VP, marketplace crewing services, for LASSO Workforce for a year, before joining EMG/Gravity Media as director of operations in April 2022.

Nathan Spencer, managing director, EMG/Gravity Media, says, “Since joining in 2022 as our operations director, Lynn played a key role in many projects, including the Triathlons in Boston and Chicago. Her contributions, professionalism, and dedication will be remembered, and we extend our condolences to Lynn’s family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. Her memory will live on in the work we do and in the countless ways she touched our lives.”

Stacy Sunny, VP, tech ops and remote crewing, FOX Sports, recalls how King played a big part in developing the careers of others she worked with. “Lynn was resilient and full of life, so it’s incredibly saddening to learn that she passed away. She provided opportunity for many who have blossomed in this industry.”

King is survived by her partner, Jeremy Gibson; her mother, Marlene; brother Rob and his wife, Kathy; brother Darren and his wife, Loree; and nieces and nephews Ryan, Ava, Nicholas, and Madison. She was predeceased by her father, Nicholas.

An animal lover, she worked with several rescue groups in Los Angeles. Contributions may be made in King’s memory to the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Jan. 17 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 6850 Mayfield Rd., Gates Mills, OH 44040. The family will receive friends on Jan. 16 at 3:00-7:00 p.m. at DiCicco & Sons Funeral Home, 5975 Mayfield Rd., Mayfield Hts. OH 44124. Online tribute and condolenceswww.diciccoandsonsfh.com