Tuned In

September 10, 2024 • The Times Center

Tuned In, Front Office Sports’ media franchise, led by senior media reporter Mike McCarthy came to life as a one-day event in New York City.

About The Event

Tuned In, Front Office Sports’ media franchise, led by senior media reporter Mike McCarthy, appears across FOS platforms through editorial coverage, social storytelling, and newsletter segments. This September, Tuned In came to life as a one-day event in New York City with the biggest newsmakers in sports media.

The daylong event featured intimate discussions with leaders within the sports media space—ranging from on-air talent, to media moguls and executives who are instrumental in shaping the future of how fans view sports.

Event pillars included:

Future of media rights
Sports streaming
Rise of talent
Athletes turned media moguls
Women’s sports
Sports betting
Convergence of legacy and new media

For more information on our 2025 edition, please reach out to events@frontofficesports.com.

Agenda

9:30 AM

Registration / Check-in

10 AM

Opening Remarks

Dan Roberts, Editor-in-Chief, Front Office Sports

10:05 AM

Burke Magnus – President of Content, ESPN

We’re starting the day with the content czar of ESPN. With Monday Night Football coming off its most-watched season since 2000, we’ll talk about ESPN’s coverage plans for the NFL season. And the SEC on ABC, and the College Football Playoff. And ESPN’s new long-term extension with the NBA. We’ll also tackle ESPN’s weekday dominance against rival FS1, negotiations with big talent, and its streaming ambitions.

Interviewed by: Mike McCarthy, Front Office Sports

10:35 AM

Mark Lazarus – Chairman, NBCUniversal Media Group

NBC is coming off a dream Olympics, with ratings up 80% from Tokyo across its platforms and big growth on Peacock in particular. We’ll hear about what’s next for NBC in live sports broadcasting (think: NBA) and how it can stay ahead of the streamers all knocking on the door for live sports rights.

Interviewed by: Dan Roberts, Front Office Sports

11:05 AM

Brian Lawlor – President, Scripps Sports

Scripps channels are a crucial partner for leagues like the WNBA and NWSL, and individual teams including the NHL’s Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights. We’ll ask Brian how this nearly 150-year-old company can stay relevant and innovative in a rapidly evolving landscape being upended by tech.

Interviewed by: Mike McCarthy, Front Office Sports

11:35 AM

Charlie Collier – President of Media, Roku

Roku has seen incredible growth in recent years with its hardware and connected TV interface, and this summer it launched its 24/7 live sports channel. What are Roku’s plans to compete in the crowded land grab for sports rights among streaming giants?

Interviewed by: Eric Fisher, Front Office Sports

12:05 PM

Lunch & Networking

1:30pm

Stephen A. Smith – Executive Producer & Host of “The Stephen A. Smith Show™,” Lead Commentator & Executive Producer, ESPN’s “First Take,”

He’s the biggest, brashest voice on sports television. He’s become the defining face of ESPN. His show “First Take” spawned the era of sports debate television. Now he’s in negotiations for an enormous new contract. We’ll get the latest straight from Stephen A.

Interviewed by: Mike McCarthy, Front Office Sports

2 PM

Donna Speciale – President, U.S. Advertising Sales & Marketing

TelevisaUnivision is the home of live sports for Hispanics—from the biggest soccer events to its new MLB partnership. As leagues look to connect with a growing Latino fanbase, Spanish-language rights are more important than ever. How has the company evolved its sports strategy to meet the needs of consumers? As soccer continues to grow in the U.S., how is TelevisaUnivision elevating the game and creating connection points for brands?

Interviewed by: Eric Fisher, Front Office Sports

2:30 PM

Jay Williams – Co-founder and CEO, Improbable Media, and Analyst, ESPN

From his playing days to his broadcasting era and now his wide-ranging investment portfolio, Jay Williams has his hands in everything and loves to talk about it. We’ll get his perspective, as an on-camera personality and well-connected investor, on what’s next in the business of sports media.

Interviewed by: Dan Roberts, Front Office Sports

3:15 PM

Monica McNutt – Basketball analyst, ESPN

This fast-rising star you recognize from ESPN and MSG Network has made a name for herself for incisive commentary and expert basketball analysis. That and standing up to her colleague Stephen A. Smith… we’ll get up close and personal with Monica.

Interviewed by: Mike McCarthy, Front Office Sports

3:45 PM

Deirdre Lester – CEO, Teton Ridge

The West is on the rise in the sports world. Teton Ridge is the media company behind American Rodeo, American Performance Horseman, and a suite of other bull riding events, broadcasting on Fox channels and Teton Ridge+, plus Cowboys & Indians magazine. The premier Western sports, media, and entertainment company is a partner of Tuned In.

Interviewed by: Margaret Fleming, Front Office Sports

4:05 PM

Jon Cruz – Head of Global Sports, YouTube

YouTube’s live sports ambitions are clear through its partnership with NFL Sunday Ticket, DAZN and others to air sports through YouTube TV. What will it go for next, and how will Google-owned YouTube become a player in the sports streaming wars?

Interviewed by: Dan Roberts, Front Office Sports

5:05pm