FOX Sports Names Mark Silverman President, National Networks

LOS ANGELES – FOX Sports, the world’s leading sports media brand, today announces it has named veteran media executive Mark Silverman to the position of President, National Networks. The announcement was made today by Eric Shanks, President and Executive Producer, FOX Sports.

“Mark is an excellent, creative executive who has been in the FOX Sports family for over 11 years with great success,” said Shanks. “We couldn’t be more thrilled he has chosen to take this new role on our team.”

Silverman, a 26-year media executive and no stranger to the FOX Sports family, currently serves as President of the Big Ten Network (BTN), a joint venture between FOX Sports and the Big Ten Conference, where he has overseen all aspects of the network since its inception in 2007. Silverman has led BTN to unprecedented success during his tenure and has grown the BTN brand to over 60 million subscribers throughout the United States and Canada. Under Silverman’s leadership, BTN has extended its portfolio beyond the traditional linear network with extensive digital media offerings such as BTN2Go and BTN Plus. BTN has received numerous marketing and programming awards including two Emmy nominations for The Journey: Big Ten Basketball and an Edward R. Murrow Award in the category of video sports reporting.

Silverman will assume his new role effective January 16 and will oversee all programming, production, marketing, and digital for FOX, FS1 and FS2 live events and studio shows. He will also retain his current responsibilities at BTN.

“Mark’s been a creative and trusted leader at BTN for more than a decade,” said Jim Delany, Commissioner, Big Ten Conference. “I have no doubt that FOX Sports’ national networks will all benefit as a result of Mark’s special combination of executive skills. We look forward to continue to work with him in this new role.”

“I have greatly enjoyed leading BTN for the past 11 years,” said Silverman. “I now look forward to joining the FOX Sports leadership team and working with some of the top brands and executives in the industry.”

Silverman began his media career in the entertainment industry at The Walt Disney Company, where he held a number of executive positions during his 13-year tenure, principally in the television and movie studio divisions. Prior to joining BTN, Silverman served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the ABC Cable Networks Group. Silverman also previously served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, ABC Family Channel.

Silverman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan. He and his family will relocate to Los Angeles.