The WWE continues to bolster its organization by adding individuals with strong experience in sports television. The latest addition, former FOX Sports National Networks President, ESPN Vice President of Original Programming and Production, and Executive Vice President of DAZN, Jamie Horowitz. Horowitz’s first day on the job is today, June 1st.
The accomplished sports television executive joins World Wrestling Entertainment as its Executive Vice President, Development & Digital. Horowitz will oversee WWE’s original content including scripted and unscripted programs for digital and social media. He will also be responsible for WWE Studios in Los Angeles.
The multi-platform content division, WWE Studios, has been involved in the release of more than 50 films and series, and has partnerships in place with Netflix, 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, MGM, Warner Brothers and others. Some of the current programs created by the company include A&E’s The Quest for Lost WWE Treasures, the award-winning A&E Biography which features documentaries on five former WWE superstars, Total Bellas on E! and Miz & Mrs on USA Network. The company also partnered with HBO and Bill Simmons to produce the Emmy-nominated documentary Andre the Giant.
Prior to joining WWE, Horowitz served as Executive Vice President, Global Content at DAZN where he oversaw the company’s original programming, social content and editorial strategy. Under his watch, DAZN put Pat McAfee’s show on television, Adnan Virk was hired to host a daily MLB highlight show titled ‘Change Up’, and the company teamed up with Sylvester Stallone to create the exceptional documentary ‘One Night: Joshua vs. Ruiz’. Both McAfee and Virk have since had working relationships with the WWE.
But inside sports media circles, Horowitz is most remembered for two things. First, his influence on ESPN’s talk programming, where he grew ratings by embracing the world of debate, developing First Take and Sports Nation. Second, was his move to FS1 to help launch the network and compete against his former employer. Horowitz used a similar strategy to build FS1 around personalities with an ability to deliver strong opinions and create conversation. His relationships and influence helped the network land Colin Cowherd, Skip Bayless, and Jason Whitlock among others.
Though it wasn’t mentioned in the network’s press release, it’s highly likely Nick Khan’s involvement with WWE helped the company land the sports media executive. The two have known each other and have done deals together over the years. Khan is the former co-head of CAA’s television department and was one of most successful agents, attorneys and deal makers in the sports media industry before leaving CAA to become WWE President and Chief Revenue Officer.
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
