Main Street Sports Group, the company that recently emerged from Ch. 11 bankruptcy which owns and operates FanDuel Sports Network RSNs around the country, has revealed that Rich Battista and Chris Brearton have been appointed to its board of directors. Battista and Brearton will be joining Ryan Cunningham, Maryann Turcke and Bob Whitsitt on the board, in addition to company chief executive officer David Preshlack. The company is continuing to evaluate more candidates to fill the remaining vacancy on the board of directors.
“Rich and Chris are joining our Board at a pivotal time, and we welcome their strategic input as we transform Main Street Sports Group into the premier platform for regional sports,” David Preschlack, chief executive officer of Main Street Sports Group, said in a statement. “Each brings decades of invaluable experience in the sports, media, and entertainment industry along with extensive track records of success. Their insights into the evolving media landscape will be instrumental as we continue to drive meaningful innovation with our unmatched portfolio of aggregated live sports rights.”
Battista has more than 30 years of leadership experience for public and private companies within the media, sports and entertainment industries. In addition, he has a track record of innovation and transformation, bringing operations to scale and moving through the dynamic media landscape. Battista serves in executive chairman roles for both Adweek and Wave Sports + Entertainment, along with holding a position as a board member for RB Media. Before serving as the chief executive officer of Time Inc., he was in the same role for Gemstar-TV Guide International and also spent 18 years at Fox Entertainment.
Brearton has over 30 years of media and entertainment strategy experience through his time in the film and television industry, and he is currently a partner at AGBO, an artist-led independent studio. Prior to that time, he served as the vice president of corporate strategy at Amazon MGM Studios where he oversaw corporate strategy and the MGM scripted and unscripted television business. Brearton was formerly the chief operating officer of MGM and reported directly to the board of directors in the role.
“We are pleased to join Main Street Sports Group’s Board of Directors and contribute to the Company’s continued growth,” Battista and Brearton said in a joint statement. “With their strong leadership, expansive network of regional platforms, and commitment to innovation across streaming and traditional distribution, Main Street is uniquely positioned to lead the next chapter of growth in sports media. We look forward to collaborating with David and the Board to support the Company’s transformation and advance their long-term vision.”
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