Veteran sports programming exec Scott Shapiro has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Sports Programming for Premiere Networks.
Shapiro, whose experience runs the gamut from producing sports shows and programming local stations to network experience at ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio, joined Premiere in 2015 as VP of Sports Programming.
Premiere says he will continue to oversee the daily execution of the company’s sports programming and content, including the Fox Sports Radio Network, which reaches nearly 11 million monthly listeners on more than 600 stations nationwide and across a portfolio of podcasts and digital assets. Fox Sports Radio’s podcasts surpassed 45 million listens in the month of November, according to Triton/Omny stats cited by Premiere.
In addition to leading content strategy, Premiere says L.A-based Shapiro will work with affiliate and advertising partners to identify promotional opportunities and maximize engagement across the network’s multiplatform brands.
He continues to report to Don Martin, Executive VP of Programming for iHeartMedia Sports.
“Scott is a tremendous leader, incredible partner and wonderful friend,” Martin said in the announcement. “I’m so proud of the talented family we have built on and off the air as we continue to produce the best sports audio content the industry has to offer. [Premiere President] Julie Talbott and I couldn’t be happier to recognize Scott’s efforts with this well-deserved promotion.”
Before joining Premiere in 2015, Shapiro was Program Director of ESPN Radio, where he is credited with helping drive all-time peak listenership and viewership for “Mike & Mike,” “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” and “SVP & Russillo.” He previously served as producer of “Mike & Mike.” Before that he was Assistant Program Director and Executive Producer of “790 The Zone” WQXI Atlanta. He also produced “Mayhem in the AM” and managed its simulcast on Comcast Sports South TV.
“I’m truly blessed to be working with such great people,” said Shapiro. “Julie Talbott and Don Martin are wonderful tone-setters who have set a world-class culture. The team I’m fortunate to work with on the air and behind the scenes inspires me on a daily basis to put my heart in and give this role my all.”