Top ESPN Execs Jodi Markley, Connor Schell Departing as Part of Leadership Shakeup SVP of Content Ops Tina Thornton will now lead ESPN's remote operations and events By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor
Monday, November 9, 2020 - 10:22 am
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As part of a major shakeup in senior leadership, longtime ESPN executives Jodi Markley and Connor Schell are leaving the company, effective April 2 and Jan. 8, respectively. Markley, EVP of Content Operations & Creative Services, is retiring after 32 highly influential years at ESPN. Schell, EVP of Content, who has been with ESPN since 2004, has decided to leave in order to form an independent production company where ESPN will be its first client.
Jodi Markley will retire on April 8 next year.
Markley, one of ESPN's most successful and admired executives, has been a mentor and innovator since joining full-time in March 1989. She has served in many leadership positions at ESPN, primarily within the operations and international areas. The award-winning executive has been instrumental in numerous network launches in the U.S. and around the globe, and has been at the forefront of ESPN's industry-leading operational and technological enhancements. Markley, who has been in her current role since 2016, has been widely recognized for her achievements and has served on numerous industry boards, including the SVG Advisory Board.
It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of ESPN over the past 32 years, says Markley. I am proud of the industry-leading innovation and creativity of our team, and feel blessed to have worked alongside such incredibly talented people who love what they do. I am confident in the direction we are headed under Jimmy Pitaro and will enjoy my next chapter as a fan.
With Markley moving on, Tina Thornton, Senior Vice President, Content Operations, formerly in the Office of the President, will now lead ESPN's remote operations and events, Creative Works and Creative Services, ESPN Synergy, and the ESPN Next program, among other responsibilities.
Connor Schell has decided to leave in order to form an independent production company.
Schell, who has been a driving creative force while serving in various ESPN leadership positions, will continue his storytelling work by establishing a new company. Schell's company will work closely with ESPN Films and other senior executives to produce 30 for 30 films and The ESPYS. He will also serve as an Executive Producer on, among other things, the previously announced docuseries on the journey of Colin Kaepernick, and Man in the Arena, a nine-part, first-hand account of Tom Brady's Super Bowl journeys. Schell has been in his current ESPN role since 2017. Under Schell, ESPN has won numerous honors for content, including an Academy Award for OJ Made in America and a 2020 Primetime Emmy for The Last Dance.
ESPN is an incredible place and it has been a true privilege to be a part of this team for the past 16+ years, says Schell. I am so thankful to Jimmy Pitaro and Bob Iger for their creative leadership and to my remarkable colleagues across ESPN whose work inspires and entertains sports fans every single day. As I launch this new production company, I am excited to transition back to a role where I can more directly tell stories and I couldn't think of a better way to get started than continuing to work on 30 for 30 with Jimmy and ESPN.
Tina Thornton, SVP, Content Operations
When Jodi and Connor each approached me about starting their next chapters, those conversations were filled with mixed emotions, says Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content. Jodi has been a trailblazer, not just at ESPN, but throughout our industry, and, because of her entrepreneurial approach, ESPN has always led the way. Connor is an exceptional storyteller who has led some of the biggest content success stories in all of media. He brings great vision and passion to his work and that's why I'm particularly pleased that he will continue to partner with ESPN on our film development and ESPYS initiatives in his new role. I am very happy for both of them; they have accomplished so much here and will certainly be missed at ESPN.
As a part of these developments Pitaro has named a new senior leadership team to guide ESPN. In addition to Thornton's new role, Pitaro's direct reports going forward and their overarching areas of responsibility are (in alphabetical order):
Chara-Lynn Aguiar, Vice President, Strategy and Office of the Chairman, will continue to focus on ESPN's strategic development and serve as an advisor to the Chairman and his direct reports, providing insight and managing a wide variety of internal and external relationships.
Stephanie Druley, Executive Vice President, Event and Studio Production, will co-lead ESPN's production area, including Monday Night Football, college football, NBA, studio and event production.
Laura Gentile, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Social Media, will be responsible for the creative marketing for the ESPN brand, including all shows and platforms, special events and will also pick up responsibility for its social media content.
Thomas Hennessy, Senior Vice President, Finance, will manage ESPN's financial matters and budgets, in collaboration with colleagues at The Walt Disney Company.
Rob King, Senior Vice President, Editor-At-Large, will be responsible for the company's overall journalistic direction, working closely with leaders across ESPN Films and original content, digital content, social media, multi-platform journalism and storytelling and global content, and will advise ESPN and its senior leadership team on editorial issues.
Chris LaPlaca, Senior Vice President, Communications, will lead internal and external communications efforts.
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Top ESPN Execs Jodi Markley, Connor Schell Departing as Part of Leadership Shakeup SVP of Content Ops Tina Thornton will now lead ESPN's remote operations and events By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor 
