Josiah Thompson Takes Over as ESPN's Director of Entertainment

Thompson has held various roles at the sports media giant

Thompson replaces Mike Foss in the role

ESPN has appointed Josiah Thompson as its new Director of Entertainment, effective immediately. Thompson will be responsible for overseeing the development and production of ESPN's entertainment content, including "SportsCenter," "First Take," and "PTI." Thompson has been with ESPN since 2013, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Digital and Social Media Content. In this role, he oversaw the company's digital and social media strategy, including the development of new content formats and the launch of new platforms. “Josiah is a proven leader with a deep understanding of ESPN’s brand and audience,” said Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN chairman. “His experience in developing and producing innovative content will be invaluable as we continue to grow our entertainment business.” Thompson replaces Mike Foss, who left ESPN earlier this year to join Fox Sports.

Thompson's background and experience

Thompson began his career at ESPN as an associate producer for “SportsCenter.” He then held various roles in the company's digital and social media部門, including senior director of digital content and vice president of digital and social content. Thompson is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is married with two children.

Thompson's goals for ESPN's entertainment business

Thompson said he is excited about the opportunity to lead ESPN's entertainment business. He said he wants to continue to grow the company's portfolio of entertainment content and develop new ways to engage with fans. “I believe that ESPN has a unique opportunity to be a leader in the entertainment space,” Thompson said. “We have a passionate audience that is eager for more than just sports content. I am excited to work with our team to develop new and innovative ways to entertain our fans.”