27. Sports Man

George Bodenheimer
Title: President, ESPN; Co-chairman, Disney Media Networks
Years in Industry: 20+
 
Why Him? How about a sports series featuring a gerbil racing from Crete? ESPN quarterback George Bodenheimer could probably make that work—somehow. Meanwhile, his coup to snag “Monday Night Football” has set net viewership records almost weekly. And while the failure of ESPN Mobile certainly qualifies as something for the loss column, Bodenheimer could end up pulling that one out in overtime as the initiative switches to a licensing model. The bottom line: ESPN’s ad revenue continues its annual surge, and the net’s affiliate fees are among the industry’s highest. ESPN plays in the big leagues. With Bodenheimer filling out the lineup card, it’s a difficult club to beat. - CH

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Top personal achievement in 2006: “1) Raising over $2 million for cancer research through The V Foundation. 
2) Led by record viewership of MNF, each of our top four networks are up in total day ratings for the year.” 
In my free time, I like to: “Read, spend time with my family and play a little golf.”
I knew the cable industry was for me when: “I drank Paul Maxwell’s Kool-Aid at a cable function.”
Favorite city: Bristol, Conn.
Favorite sports team: “Love them all.”
I wish cable would: “Provide more broadband content like ESPN360.”
Favorite piece of tech: High-definition television
Favorite song: “Are you ready for some football?”

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