Sr Director, Programming Business Affairs

1223 ESPN Productions, Inc; Connecticut; On-site; USD 185,500 - 248,800; Full time

Job summary

ESPN is seeking a Sr Director, Programming Business Affairs to lead sports rights acquisition, licensing, and rights management across ESPN and TWDC. This executive will negotiate major rights, guide cross‑functional teams, and optimize content value across platforms.

The role requires senior leadership, deep sports media knowledge, and a proven ability to align contractual obligations with business strategy, driving growth and efficiency within a complex media ecosystem.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in sports media, programming, business affairs, media rights, or a related field.
• Experience negotiating complex media rights agreements, licensing arrangements, and strategic partnerships.
• Proven track record leading cross‑functional initiatives involving senior stakeholders across programming, distribution, advertising, legal, and business operations.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience, including coaching and leading high‑performing teams.
• Strong understanding of the sports media ecosystem, including linear television, streaming, digital platforms, affiliate distribution, and evolving content consumption trends.
• Excellent executive communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projects in a deadline‑driven environment.
• Strong commercial acumen, analytical capabilities, and decision‑making skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee sports rights acquisition, licensing, and rights management across ESPN and TWDC.
• Lead negotiations for high‑profile rights agreements, renewals, amendments, and strategic partnerships.
• Partner with Programming, Legal, Ad Sales, Distribution, and DTC leadership to maximize value and flexibility of acquired rights.
• Develop scalable processes, governance, and best practices for business affairs across the enterprise.
• Build alignment around key rights decisions and business implications with cross‑functional teams.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

Analytical thinking

Project management

Strategic planning

Relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Juris Doctor (JD)

MBA or MS

Job description

Job Posting Title: Sr Director, Programming Business Affairs Req ID: 10156050 Job Description: The Senior Director, Programming Business Affairs is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of sports rights acquisition, content licensing, contract administration, and rights management across ESPN and The Walt Disney Company (TWDC). Serving as a strategic partner to Programming, Legal, Ad Sales, Distribution, Business Development, and Finance, this executive will lead negotiations for key sports properties, ensure contractual compliance and execution, and maximize the value of content rights across linear, digital, streaming, direct-to-consumer, and emerging distribution platforms. This leader will act as the primary business affairs liaison for league and rights-holder partners, balancing sophisticated deal‑making, relationship management, and operational excellence. The role requires a deep understanding of the evolving sports media landscape, media rights economics, and the strategic opportunities that drive audience growth, distribution expansion, and long‑term business value.

Key Responsibilities

Sports Rights Acquisition & Negotiation Lead strategic preparation for major media rights renewals by organizing historical agreements, evaluating contractual obligations, identifying business opportunities, and coordinating enterprise‑wide negotiation readiness. Lead and support negotiations for high‑profile sports rights agreements, renewals, amendments, and strategic partnerships. Partner closely with senior Programming, Legal, Distribution, Ad Sales, Direct‑to‑Consumer, and Business Development leaders to maximize the value and flexibility of acquired rights. Evaluate new rights opportunities and emerging market trends, developing recommendations that support ESPN and TWDC's broader content strategy. Serve as a trusted advisor during complex negotiations, balancing business objectives, contractual protections, and partner relationships.

Strategic Business Affairs Leadership

Act as the central point of contact for league partners and rights holders on all business affairs matters. Provide strategic guidance and risk assessment on contractual issues, identifying solutions that align with both business priorities and legal requirements. Collaborate with executive leadership to develop scalable processes, governance structures, and best practices that support business growth and operational efficiency. Ensure alignment between contractual obligations and evolving distribution, monetization, and content strategies across the enterprise.

Content Rights Management & Compliance

Lead the Content Rights Management function, ensuring accurate interpretation, documentation, and administration of contractual rights across multiple platforms and businesses. Oversee the creation and maintenance of rights summaries, contract analyses, reporting frameworks, and compliance processes. Establish and maintain enterprise‑wide standards, systems, and procedures that ensure contractual obligations are fulfilled, rights are fully leveraged, and cross‑functional business initiatives remain compliant across ESPN and TWDC. Identify opportunities to optimize content utilization and unlock additional value from existing rights portfolios.

Cross-Functional Partnership

Partner with Programming leadership, including senior executives responsible for content strategy, to support long‑term content planning and rights portfolio management. Work closely with Disney Platform Distribution, Disney Advertising Sales, ESPN Direct‑to‑Consumer, Finance, Strategy, and Legal teams to ensure coordinated execution of enterprise priorities. Build strong internal alignment around key rights decisions and associated business implications. Understand affiliate, distribution, and platform‑specific considerations and identify opportunities to expand audience reach and revenue generation.

Team Leadership

Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing team of business affairs and rights management professionals. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Drive employee engagement, team effectiveness, and succession planning while maintaining high standards of performance and operational excellence.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in sports media, programming, business affairs, media rights, legal affairs, or a related field.
• Significant experience negotiating and managing complex media rights agreements, licensing arrangements, and strategic partnerships.
• Proven track record leading cross‑functional initiatives involving senior stakeholders across programming, distribution, advertising, legal, and business operations.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience, including a track record of developing, coaching, and leading high‑performing teams.
• Strong understanding of the sports media ecosystem, including linear television, streaming, digital platforms, affiliate distribution, and evolving content consumption trends.
• Excellent executive communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projects in a deadline‑driven environment.
• Strong commercial acumen, analytical capabilities, and decision‑making skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep experience within sports media, professional sports leagues, teams, conferences, agencies, media companies, or rights‑holding organizations.
• Demonstrated expertise in sports rights acquisitions, business affairs, media distribution, or sports‑related legal matters.
• Strong understanding of content monetization models, direct‑to‑consumer businesses, and emerging media distribution trends.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with executional excellence.
• Proven ability to influence senior executives and external partners in complex business environments.
• Passion for sports and deep appreciation for ESPN's role within the sports media landscape.
• Reputation as a trusted, collaborative leader who drives results through influence and partnerships.

Education Required

Bachelor's degree required.

Education Preferred

Juris Doctor (JD) strongly preferred. MBA, MS, or other relevant advanced degree preferred.

#ESPNMedia

The hiring range for this position in Bristol, CT is $185,500.00 to $248,800.00 per year and in New York, NY is $194,260.00 to $260,590.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long‑term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. Job Posting Segment: ESPN Programming & Acquisitions Job Posting Primary Business: League Programming & Operations Primary Job Posting Category: Business Affairs Employment Type: Full time Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code: Bristol, CT, USA Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code: USA - NY - 7 Hudson Square Date Posted: 2026-07-21 Learn more about us.