Amanda Gifford will be ESPN’s point person on college football, with Mark Gross taking responsibility for their NFL coverage.
The changes in who will oversee NFL and college football content at ESPN came after the network’s decision last week to cut ties with 25-year veteran Lee Fitting, their senior vice president of production who had been overseeing college football and NFL content in recent years.
John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reported Tuesday on these changes, based on a memo from ESPN executive editor and head of event and studio production Norby Williamson.
That memo notes that post-Fitting, Amanda Gifford is set to become ESPN’s point person on college football, with Mark Gross taking over NFL studio and event production.
Here’s more from Ourand’s piece:
VP Production Amanda Gifford leaps by becoming the day-to-day point person in college football. Gifford will oversee all college football event productions, including CFP Games and spring football games.
Gifford now reports directly to Williamson. Coordinating Producers Bryan Jaroch and Nick Rud will report to Gifford on football.
SVP/Production and Remote Events Mark Gross also made a big move, adding the NFL studio and event productions to his plate.
Gross will report to Williamson and oversee the ESPN Radio Network and local radio programming. VP/Executive Producer Seth Markman and VP/Production Steve Ackels will report to Gross.
Ourand informed about long-tenured vice president (production) Jamie Reynolds leaving ESPN after the ongoing US Open tennis tournament and vice president/executive producer Mike
McQuade now oversees all tennis productions.
McQuade will report to Gross on boxing, tennis, and the NHL, and Williamson on golf and SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt.
Vice President (Production) Phil Orlins will add a leadership role for technology and innovation initiatives.
Vice President and executive producer (original content) Andy Tennant is adding responsibility for the Rose Parade, New York City Marathon, Boston Marathon, and Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Senior Vice President (Production and Content Strategy) Maria Soares will oversee the 6 p.m. SportsCenter, while Shawn Murphy is adding responsibility for high school, FCS, D2, and D3 football, as well as SEC Network content.
Almost everyone will report to Williamson in some fashion, but it’s still notable to see the specific responsibility of each.
