SOUTHPORT, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Main Street Sports Group (the “Company”), owner and operator of FanDuel Sports Network, today announced that Rich Battista, former CEO of Time Inc., and Chris Brearton, Partner at ABGO, have been appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
Mr. Battista and Mr. Brearton join the Company’s four existing board members Ryan Cunningham, Maryann Turcke, Bob Whitsitt, and David Preschlack, Chief Executive Officer of Main Street Sports Group. The Company is continuing to evaluate additional candidates to fill the Board’s remaining vacancy.
“Rich and Chris are joining our Board at a pivotal time, and we welcome their strategic input as we transform Main Street Sports Group into the premier platform for regional sports,” said CEO David Preschlack. “Each brings decades of invaluable experience in the sports, media, and entertainment industry along with extensive track records of success. Their insights into the evolving media landscape will be instrumental as we continue to drive meaningful innovation with our unmatched portfolio of aggregated live sports rights.”
“We are pleased to join Main Street Sports Group’s Board of Directors and contribute to the Company’s continued growth. With their strong leadership, expansive network of regional platforms, and commitment to innovation across streaming and traditional distribution, Main Street is uniquely positioned to lead the next chapter of growth in sports media. We look forward to collaborating with David and the Board to support the Company’s transformation and advance their long-term vision,» added Mr. Battista and Brearton.
About Rich Battista
Mr. Battista is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of leadership experience across public and private companies in the media, sports and entertainment industries. He has a proven track record of driving innovation and transformation, scaling operations, and navigating the evolving media landscape.
He currently serves as Executive Chairman of Adweek, the leading source of news and insights for the brand marketing and advertising ecosystem; as Executive Chairman of Wave Sports + Entertainment, a digital-first content and media company; and as a board member of RB Media, the world’s largest audiobooks publisher.
Mr. Battista previously served as CEO of Time Inc., and prior to that, as CEO at Gemstar-TV Guide International where he led significant transformations at both publicly-traded companies, overseeing the sale of each for $2.8 billion and $2.3 billion respectively.
Prior to his Gemstar-TV Guide International, he spent 18-years at Fox Entertainment where he held various senior roles including President, National Cable Networks, with oversight of several highly valuable businesses including FX, National Geographic Channel, Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Deportes and Fox Sports International. Mr. Battista received his MBA from Harvard Business School and his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University.
About Chris Brearton
Mr. Brearton is a veteran of the film and television industry, bringing over 30 years of media and entertainment strategy experience. He currently serves as a Partner at AGBO, the artist-led independent studio.
Prior to joining AGBO, Brearton most recently served as the Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Amazon MGM Studios. In that role, Brearton oversaw corporate strategy, including the integration of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) into Amazon. He also oversaw MGM’s scripted and unscripted television business, launched MGM+ as a global streaming service, guided the theatrical film distribution strategy, and was the primary liaison for several key creative properties, including the James Bond franchise.
Before the sale to Amazon, Brearton led MGM as its Chief Operating Officer, reporting directly to the Board of Directors. In this capacity, he grew and revitalized the iconic studio, overseeing its global financial and business operations and its film and television content production and distribution strategy. Brearton was the Chief Architect of the $8.45 billion sale of MGM to Amazon.
Prior to MGM, Mr. Brearton served as a Managing Partner in the Entertainment, Sports and Media practice at Latham & Watkins and led the law firm’s Century City office. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of USA Swimming. Mr. Brearton received his J.D. from the University of Virginia and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia.
About Main Street Sports Group
Main Street Sports Group owns FanDuel Sports Network, the nation’s leading multiplatform provider of local sports, offering fans widescale availability and optionality to view their local teams. FanDuel Sports Network serves as the local media partner and home to select MLB, NHL and NBA teams and produces over 3,000 live sports events year-round. Main Street Sports Group harnesses its powerful partnerships, in-house direct-to-consumer streaming product and innovative strategies to reach audiences and deliver programming seamlessly across streaming platforms, connected devices and leading pay TV providers.
Its 15 owned-and-operated networks include FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, FanDuel Sports Network Florida, FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City, FanDuel Sports Network Indiana, FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, FanDuel Sports Network North, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma, FanDuel Sports Network SoCal, FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, FanDuel Sports Network Southwest, FanDuel Sports Network Sun, FanDuel Sports Network West, and FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. Main Street Sports Group also has a minority interest in YES Network, the local destination for the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets.
Contacts
For Main Street Sports Group
Reevemark: Paul Caminiti/Renée Soto/Luc Herbowy
[email protected]
For FanDuel Sports Network: Whitney Burak
[email protected]
