REGIONAL SPORTSPRODUCTION SUMMIT SVGRSPS

FRIDAY ABERNETHY, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, GM, Network

Abernethy is a strategic dealmaker with high-impact media experience and a proven ability to inspire, grow, and reimagine businesses. An innovative and collaborative leader known for meeting industry disruption head-on, Abernethy has managed billion-dollar revenue streams, reimagined long-time partnerships, and transformed business models to reflect technological advances.

JOHN KOSNER, Kosner Media, President

Kosner is an internet pioneer and four-decade veteran of sports media. Today, he is an investor and advisor in sports tech startups and president of Kosner Media, a digital media and sports consultancy. In 2018, Kosner and the late NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern created Micromanagement Ventures, a portfolio of sports technology start-ups focused on media, betting, and player health.

Speaker Bios

MICHAEL ALLEN, Bally Sports, Chief Product Officer

Allen is responsible for the Bally Sports digital portfolio across multiple media platforms. He oversees all aspects of Bally Sports digital products, including Bally Sports+, the direct-to-consumer subscription service available to fans in all Bally Sports regional markets.

KEVIN ANDERSON, NBC Sports Chicago, Director, Studio Content

Anderson oversees all studio production for NBC Sports Chicago, rights holders for the Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox. Over the past 19 years, has held roles as Associate Producer, Producer, Coordinating Producer, Manager, and now Director.

ERIC BLACK, Edgio, CTO and General Manager, Media

Black joined Edgio in 2023 to lead the company’s Media division. A 20+-year veteran of the digital video/live streaming industry, Black leads the company’s growth in delivering the highest quality linear, live, and on-demand video experiences.

JEFF BYLE, Bally Sports Detroit, VP/Executive Producer

Byle has spent over 28 years in the sports television industry, starting in 1995 as part of the original production team that launched the Golf Channel in Orlando, FL. He went on to be part of the original staff for Fox Sports Detroit, where he served as a live event producer/ coordinating producer for nine years. He returned in 2016.

ROBERT CARZOLI, Program Productions, Chairman

For over two full decades, Carzoli has overseen the astronomical growth of Program Productions, XLT Management Services, ProCrewz, and Kingsbridge Shared Services. Today, these entities make up the industry’s largest labor management group.

NICK GARVIN, Mobile TV Group, COO

Garvin is the chief operating officer for Mobile TV Group (MTVG). This includes all strategic partnerships, management of all day-today operations for its mobile unit fleet covering over 4,000 live events annually, and its audio/video manufacturing facility.

RON GRALNIK, Bally Sports, VP, Production

Gralnik has been with Bally Sports/ Diamond Sports Group, previously FOX Sports Net since 1996. He is responsible for national management and oversight for over 3,000 MLB and NHL broadcasts annually across their regional network.

KENNY ELCOCK, NESN, VP of Engineering

Elcock is responsible for designing and integrating network systems, as well as delivering quality programming and an enhanced gametime experience for viewers and fans of the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins.

ZACH LEONSIS, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, President of Media & New Enterprises

Leonsis oversees all of Monumental’s media operations, team rights agreements, and media revenues. Both NBCSW and Monumental Sports Network report directly into Leonsis. In addition, he also oversees all corporate development activities which include M&A, venture capital, and private equity investment opportunities. Leonsis led the acquisition of NBCSW into Monumental and also led additional investments into companies including Team Liquid, Epic Games, Niantic, Dapper Labs, and more.

CHARLIE MYERS, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, CTO

Myers oversees a new department inclusive of information technology, engineering, cyber security, digital development, new technologies & innovation projects, and other critical technology needs. Myers joined Monumental from Sirius XM where he served as vice president and general manager of Media & Development Engineering.

BRIAN JOSEPHS, Sportradar, Regional Head of

Sales, U.S.

Josephs leads revenue and client strategy across all U.S. media and technology clients and partners, who are focused on addressing changing fan engagement patterns due to an increased demand for streaming and interactive solutions, as well as personalized content.

JESS KOWATCH, Program Productions, EVP, Operations and COO

With over 14 years of experience managing projects, Kowatch has served with Program Productions since 2015. Some of her seniorlevel direction duties relate to client resource allocation and communication directives, new business development, national training initiatives, and assisting with labor union negotiations.

GREG MACCHIA, Riedel Communications, VP of Business Development, Live Production

Macchia has 25+ years of experience in the live broadcast production industry. Before joining Simplylive in 2017 to manage the region, he was the SVP, Americas for EVS Broadcast Equipment where he spent over 18 years building the Americas sales and technical operations.

KEVIN MAROTTA, MSG Networks, SVP, Marketing and Content Strategy

Marotta oversees all on and off-air marketing and promotional activities of MSG Networks brands, as well as the development, integration, and implementation of cross-platform content strategies. In this role, Marotta also oversees MSG Networks’ programming and digital initiatives, and has been integral in the design and execution of MSG+.

DANIEL PESCE, WSC Sports, Business Development, North America

Pesce is a team lead in the business development group at WSC Sports. He creates partnerships that harness the power of AI with partners such as AT&T, NFL, and YES Network. His passion for sports tech has spanned his 10+ year career in the industry.

A.J. PONSIGLIONE, Spectrum SportsNet and SportsNet LA, Senior Coordinating Producer, Live Events and Special Projects

Ponsiglione oversees live events and special projects for Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum SportsNet LA. SportsNet LA serves as the television home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, while SportsNet is the broadcast partner of the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Sparks.

MIKE SCHABEL, KISWE, Chief Strategy Officer

Schabel joined Kiswe in 2016 and has served as the COO and CEO. Prior to joining Kiswe, Schabel worked in the telecommunication industry with a focus on launching new innovative businesses and executing turnarounds of distressed businesses.