Hartford Business Journal

8 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 On The Record | Q&A ESPN Chairman James Pitaro answers questions during a recent media day in Bristol. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO | ESPN Maintaining Relevance After 6 years leading ESPN, Pitaro may be on deck to succeed Disney CEO; he's also trying to reshape the Bristol-based sports media company to see on some of the walls, 'Serve the sports fan anytime, anywhere,' and that's our mission," Pitaro told journalists on media day, which took place in late August at ESPN's 120-acre campus in Bristol that is home to more than 1.3 million square feet in 18 buildings and about 4,000 employees. "When I started here about six-and-a-half years ago, we sat down and we looked at it, and I felt then, and I feel now, that it remains incredibly relevant." "In fact," he added, "I'd argue serving the sports fan anywhere is more relevant today than it's ever been." What that really means, he said, "is that we need to be everywhere." That includes remaining on cable TV, but also optimizing digital platforms, Pitaro said. ESPN has done that during his tenure. According to data from Comscore, a global media analytics company, ESPN Digital topped the U.S. sports category in July for the 29th consecutive month. It recorded 102.3 million unique visitors, more than 33 million above visitors for Yahoo! Sports/NBC Sports Network. ESPN is also one of the top-fol- lowed brands on TikTok, with over 47 million followers, the company said. But, the focus on digital and sports betting isn't just a diversification play. It's needed for ESPN's long-term By David Krechevsky davidk@hartfordbusiness.com J immy Pitaro says he's "sitting in his dream job." Pitaro, 54, has helmed ESPN, which is owned by the Walt Disney Co., since he was hired as the digital sports broadcaster's eighth president in March 2018. He previously had served about two years as chairman of Disney's consumer products and interactive media division. He joined the Walt Disney Co. in 2010 as co-president of Disney Interactive, after serving as vice president and head of Yahoo Media, which included Yahoo Sports. He was promoted to ESPN chairman in February last year. In the six-plus years he's led the Bristol-based enterprise, Pitaro has proven himself an all-star in Disney's C-suite lineup, leading ESPN through the COVID-19 pandemic and strength- ening its dominance on digital and social media platforms. His performance has been strong enough to prompt his recent endorse- ment as the successor to Disney CEO Bob Iger by former hedge fund manager and CNBC host Jim Cramer. Iger is scheduled to step down in December 2026, and Pitaro is among those being considered to take his place. But when asked during ESPN's 2024 Media Day on Aug. 28 about succeeding Iger, Pitaro shrugged it off. "I literally grew up wanting to work here," he said of ESPN. "Even the years that I was competing against this place, I wanted to work here." He added, "Last thing I'll say is, we are in a really important time at ESPN right now, incredibly important … and I'm excited to be a part of it." 'Anytime, anywhere' That excitement stems, in part, from plans to offer an as-yet unnamed direct-to-consumer streaming service for ESPN's flagship programming, which is expected to launch some- time in mid-2025. The company already offers ESPN+, but that is a complementary streaming service providing content not available on its primary channels. It also leads the industry in fantasy sports engagement, and late last year launched ESPN BET, its official sportsbook operated by PENN Enter- tainment that is available in 19 states (though not yet in Connecticut). "As you walk the halls and experi- ence this place, you're probably going JAMES "JIMMY" PITARO Chairman ESPN Age: 54 Education: Bachelor's degree in economics, Cornell University; law degree, St. John's Law School

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