ESPN Elevates Mike McQuade, David Roberts in Content Overhaul

ESPN said it would spread responsibility for many of its best-known studio programs under two different programming executives, while overhauling the structure of its overall content division, including opening a new role for an executive oversee production on the Super Bowl, which the Disney-backed sports-media giant will get to broadcast in 2026 and 2030 under the terms of its most recent deal with the NFL.

In the past, oversight of these programs has been scattered among different executives, but “one key message heard loud and clear” during recent internal talks “was the recommendation that studio, production, and editorial functions could be better aligned for effectiveness and creativity,” said Burke Magnus, president of content, in a memo issued Monday.

Mike McQuade, a 37 year veteran of ESPN, was named executive vice president of sports production, placed in charge of studio programs built around a specific sport, including those tied to the NFL and NBA. David Roberts, meanwhile, was named an executive vice president of sports news and entertainment, given oversight of shows with a broader aperture, including “First Take,” “Sports Center” and “Get Up”

“Since May, we’ve been working on a plan to restructure our department to improve collaboration, centralize functions, create better alignment, and redeploy resources to areas of growth – further positioning our people to deliver on ESPN’s priorities during rapidly evolving times,” Magnus said.

More to come…