Jimmy Pitaro: Last News

Kareem Daniel is exiting Disney as head of its Media and Entertainment Distribution division, one day after the ouster of CEO Bob Chapek.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorYour ESPN cable network isn’t going anywhere, even if its audience is.The top executive overseeing the Disney-backed sports giant said Thursday that ESPN’s flagship cable network was likely to remain intact, even as more of its audience gravitates to streaming video and direct-to-consumer outlets. There has been a rising tide of speculation that Disney could work to monetize the millions of dollars it pays in sports-broadcast rights by making more of its sports content available via streaming properties like ESPN+ or Hulu, both of which are showing more games and matches.But Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN and Disney’s sports-content operations, said he believed the cable network remained a valuable property.

Carson Burton Some of the top names on America’s sports landscape are ready to share their insights at the Variety Sports and Entertainment Breakfast presented by City National Bank, set for July 21 at the Maybourne in Beverly Hills. From groundbreaking athletes to top industry heads, the morning looks to paint a vivid picture of today’s sports and entertainment scene.Opening remarks from Variety chief marketing officer Dea Lawrence and Richard A. Raffetto, president of City National Bank, will kick off the morning of conversations.

Variety Staff Follow Us on TwitterVariety’s Sports & Entertainment presented by City National Bank returns in-person with a breakfast July 21 in Los Angeles, featuring conversations with Allyson Felix, Olympic track and field champion and founder of Saysh; Chloe Kim, Olympic champion snowboarder; Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN and sports content for The Walt Disney Company; Fara Leff, chief operating officer of Klutch Sports; and Jamal Henderson, chief content officer for The SpringHill Company.The breakfast will feature conversations focusing on the intersecting sports and entertainment industries, including discussions with athletes or executives who have expanded individual brands across film, TV and media.Elizabeth Wagmeister, senior correspondent and co-Host of Variety’s The Take, will interview Kim and her long-time agent, Lowell Taub, about balancing her snowboarding competitions with her expanding interests in entertainment and media. Felix, the most decorated track-and-field U.S.

Derek Jeter hit it out of the park in the style department on Sunday at the premiere of his upcoming ESPN docuseries The Captain in New York City.The 47-year-old New York Yankees legend wore a tan suit along with a plain white T-shirt for the event at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center as part of the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival.Derek completed his outfit with two-toned sneakers. Team captain:Derek Jeter hit it out of the park in the style department on Sunday at the premiere of The Captain in New York CityThe five-time World Series champion was accompanied by his wife Hannah Jeter, 32.She looked stunning in a black jacket over a sheer black top along with black shorts.

ESPN confirmed Wednesday that it has signed longtime Fox broadcasters Joe Buck and Troy Aikman to multi-year deals, securing their roles as the new voices of the network’s Monday Night Football. The deal takes effect with the upcoming season, which will mark the pair’s 21st season in the booth together — the first 20 years at Fox.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorESPN spent last year building up Peyton and Eli Manning as the curators of a loose, bar-talk like show meant as an alternative to its traditional “Monday Night Football.” Now the Disney-backed sports giant is focusing on the main event.ESPN has signed the two main figures behind Fox Sports’ football presentations, Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, in a bid to strengthen the main “MNF” booth. The deal, which has been anticipated for several days, will put one of sports’ most-watched game-day figures at the helm of ESPN’s signature offering.“When you have the opportunity to bring in the iconic, longest-running NFL broadcasting duo, you take it, especially at a time when we are on the cusp of a new era in our expanding relationship with the NFL,” said Jimmy Pitaro, chairman, ESPN and sports content for Disney, in a statement.  “The NFL continues to ascend, and we now have more games than ever before, providing additional opportunities for Joe, Troy and our deep roster of commentators.” Signing the pair, who have worked together for two decades and called  called six Super Bowls — only the legendary team of Pat Summerall and John Madden has called more — illustrates the new pressures facing some of the most traditional broadcasters of sports.

Addie Morfoot ContributorIn conjunction with International Women’s Day, ESPN has revealed details about its month-long “Fifty/50” initiative celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX in June.ESPN is programming a series of short and long-form documentaries directed and produced by women to commemorate the landmark federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any educational institution that receives federal funding and gives women the equal opportunity to play.“This is an important milestone for Title IX and we wanted to find creative ways to celebrate it across ESPN and the Walt Disney Company,” says Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content.Debra OConnell, president of Networks for Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, called Fifty/50 a significant initiative for the company and its affiliates, adding, “the breadth of content is a reflection of the progress that has occurred over the last 50 years and how much more is still to be done.” In addition to a previously announced four-part docuseries from Dawn Porter (“John Lewis: Good Trouble”) and Nicole Newnham (“Crip Camp”) titled “37 Words,” ESPN revealed that the network will kick off Title IX 50th anniversary programming on June 1 with “Fifty/50 Shorts.” The series will consist of five stand-alone short nonfiction docus that examine stories of women in sports and battle for equality.”All five docs in the series were helmed and executive produced by women. The creators include directors Allison Glock (executive producer “Fifty/50”) and Kate T.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek said during the company’s first-quarter earnings call Wednesday that ESPN has extended its contract with Peyton Manning and his Omaha Productions that means ESPN2’s alt-Monday Night Football show Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli will continue through 2024.

The NFL has set another multiplatform deal for this season’s wild card playoff games.

ESPN said Wednesday that it is parting ways NBA Countdown and NBA Finals host Maria Taylor after failing to come to terms on a contract extension. The news comes a day after what has turned out to be Taylor’s final assignment: covering the deciding Game 6 of the NBA Finals won by the Milwaukee Bucks.