ESPN poaches Ross Hair from Sony

ESPN has confirmed that it has recruited Ross Hair as its new managing director for ESPN in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Hair will joins from Sony where as executive vice-president of international networks SPT, he was running the studio’s channels in the EMEA region.

“We are very happy to confirm that Ross Hair will be the next managing director for ESPN in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa,” a spokesman for Disney-backed ESPN said. “Specific timing and details of his start at ESPN will be shared in the weeks ahead.”

The appointment comes several months after the departure of Lynne Frank who returned to the US and has joined Warner Bros as executive vice-president, international marketing,

Hair’s appointment marks his second stint at the sports broadcaster having worked at ESPN Star Sports, the News Corp-ESPN joint venture in Asia. He has also worked at Nickelodeon and BSkyB in the UK.

ESPN has launched a live channel in the UK and has selected premium rights including one package of Premier League football matches.