ESPN Radio re-works executive ranks

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With the New Year of 2010 upon us, ESPN Radio has made a series of personnel realignments at the network and station levels. The company, which is part of Disney/ABC, said the moves will enable it to continue to create and distribute content and remain strong in the market place.


Mo Davenport assumes the roll of Sr. Vice President, ESPN Radio, responsible for the leadership, management and oversight of ESPN Audio, which includes ESPN Radio, and all related content created for digital platforms and ESPN Station Group. He will continue to report to Traug Keller, Senior Vice President, Production, Business Units.

Tim McCarthy assumes oversight of ESPN Radio’s owned and operated stations as Senior Vice President, ESPN Radio Group, which consists of owned and operated stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Pittsburgh. Previously, McCarthy oversaw the owned stations in NYC and Pittsburgh. He will report to Davenport. 

Dave Roberts, formerly Sr. Coordinating Producer, Studio Production ESPNEWS, replaces McCarthy as Vice President, General Manager, WEPN-AM “ESPN 1050 Radio” NYC. He reports to McCarthy.

Jim Pastor assumes the role of Sr. Vice President of the newly created department, ESPNLocal.com, following the recent launches of ESPNChicago.com, ESPNBoston.com, ESPNDallas.com and ESPNLosAngeles.com. Pastor is responsible for the strategy and development of ESPNLocal.com, coordinating the cross-departmental initiative designed to maximize the fan experience at the local level. He will report to Keller.

John Cravens, Director of Sales at WMVP-AM “ESPN 1000” Chicago since 2004, replaces Pastor, becoming that station’s Vice President and General Manager. Cravens, who has been in radio sales for more than 30 years, in a management role for nearly 20, has experience as a major market GM, including ABC Radio stations KSRR-FM Houston and KHYT-FM Detroit. He reports to McCarthy.

Mike Connolly, formerly with Citadel Broadcasting Corp./The Walt Disney Co., has joined ESPN Radio as Vice President, Audio Sales, based in ESPN’s New York offices. He oversees a team that creates and sells advertising and marketing partnership for all things ESPN Audio – on-air, digital, mobile and on-site – for both English language and Spanish language networks. He reports to Davenport.

ESPN Radio said the changes impact the country’s largest sports radio network, and all related content created for digital platforms including live audio streaming on ESPNRadio.com, more than 100 original podcasts available on iTunes and the ESPN PodCenter and mobile access to live, crystal clear radio streams, fan favorite shows, podcasts and more through the ESPN Radio mobile app available on the Apple iTunes App Store.