Frank To Quit As ESPN Emea Chief
Lynne Frank, UK managing director of ESPN and the woman who sealed the broadcaster’s acquisition of Premier League TV rights for the first time, is to leave her post for personal reasons.
Frank, senior vice-president and managing director of ESPN for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, was instrumental in ESPN’s high-profile entry into the UK which has seen the Disney-owned broadcaster acquire a number of major sports rights deals in the last twelve months.
ESPN initially raised its profile as a sports broadcaster in the UK in June 2009, when it secured the live rights to air 46 Premier League games for the current 2009/2010 season and 23 games in each of the next three seasons, following the demise of pay-TV broadcaster Setanta.
ESPN has begun the search for Frank’s successor and she will continue to work at the company until she returns to her native California in September.
Frank said: ‘The past five years with ESPN, and 17 years in London, have been a remarkable and rewarding time. ESPN is as tremendous company, with tremendous people, and I am extremely proud of the team, business and connection to fans that we are building. My focus and energy over the coming months will be to continue to strengthen each of those aspects.’
Earlier this month, Charly Classen, senior director of business development for EMEA at ESPN, took on the additional role of commercial director for the UK, as the broadcaster prepares to ramp up its London-based operations.
