SVG Regional Sports Regional Production Summit

REGIONAL SPORTS PRODUCTION SUMMIT

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REGIONAL SPORTSPRODUCTION SUMMIT SVGRSPS

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Day 1 | Wednesday, June 26

5:00 p.m. REGISTRATION OPENS

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION in Exhibits Area

Day 2 | Thursday, June 27

8:00 – 8:50 a.m. NETWORKING BREAKFAST in Exhibits Area

8:50 – 9:00 a.m. DAY 2 WELCOMING REMARKS PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY: Nick Garvin, Mobile TV Group, COO

9:00 – 9:25 a.m. THE EVOLUTION OF REGIONAL SPORTS DISTRIBUTION AND THE ENDURING VALUE OF LOCAL SPORTS

This opening session from sports-media veteran and strategic advisor Patrick Crakes offers a look into the current state of the distribution and business landscape along with insights into a future that embraces multiple forms of distribution.

MODERATOR: Jason Dachman, SVG, Editorial Director, U.S.; SVG Regional Sports Production Summit Program Director

SPEAKER: Patrick Crakes, Crakes Media, Principal 9:25 – 10:05 a.m. PRODUCTION ROUNDTABLE:

Serving the Local Fan in a Changing Marketplace Production leaders from around the country discuss how they are looking to serve local fans with not only high-quality live game broadcasts but also innovative alternative telecasts, studio shows, original programming, and all-access content.

SESSION INTRODUCTION: Jamon Lomax, Canon, Senior Manager of Television Broadcast & Production Sales, U.S. and Latin American Markets

MODERATOR: Brian Mitchell, ATTSN Rocky Mountain, Former Exec. Producer PANELISTS:

Ryan Billie, Monumental Sports Network, Live Event Producer, Capitals and Mystics Jared Boshnack, YES Network, VP, Production

Devon Fox, NBC Sports Bay Area & California, Senior Director of Live Events & Special Projects

Matt Krol, Altitude Sports & Entertainment, VP/GM/Executive Producer

Matt Sandulli, SNY, VP, Live Game/Long-Form Production

10:05 – 10:25 a.m. FIRESIDE CHAT: Inside the Launch of SEG Media and What’s Next for Utah Sports Fans

When the RSN contract expired for the Utah Jazz following the 2022-23 NBA season, Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) introduced a new sports media division, SEG Media, to create a unique broadcast content production and distribution strategy for the team. During this session, Utah Jazz leaders take the stage to discuss how their existing broadcast operation and infrastructure paved the way for a successful first season and what’s next for SEG Media.

MODERATOR: Kristian Hernández, SVG, Senior Editor

SPEAKERS:

Travis Henderson, Utah Jazz, SVP of Broadcasting

Caroline Klein, Smith Entertainment Group, Chief Communications Officer

10:25 – 11:10 a.m. NETWORKING BREAK in Exhibits Area

11:10 – 11:30 a.m. REGIONAL SPORTS PRODUCTION SPOTLIGHT: MLB Local Media’s Umpire Cam

Now that MLB is opening up the use of Umpire Cam at the local game level, MLB Local Media will talk about how they utilized it last year during their Diamondbacks coverage and what they learned from replay usage to live shots.

SPEAKERS:

Kendall Burgess, MLB, VP of Operations, Local Media

Doug Johnson, MLB, SVP and Executive Producer, Local Media

11:30 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. AT HOME AND ON THE ROAD: The Changing Face of Live Game Production

As RSNs navigate the headwinds currently facing the industry, innovation has become the name of the game. Hear from RSN operations leaders and productionfacilities providers on the future of mobile units, the latest REMI workflows, the potential rise of 4K and HDR productions, ongoing crewing challenges, and where technology is headed in the coming years.

MODERATOR: Larry Meyers, Pac-12 Networks, EVP, Content PANELISTS:

Nick Garvin, Mobile TV Group, COO

Mat Hathaway, Diamond Sports Group, VP, Engineering

Jess Kowatch, Program Productions, EVP, Operations and COO

Mike Webb, YES Network, VP, Broadcast Operations and Engineering

12:10 – 1:10 p.m. NETWORKING LUNCH in Exhibits Area

1:10 – 1:50 p.m. THE STATE OF STREAMING: DTC, FAST, and the Next Era of Regional Sports

As consumer viewing habits and industry economics evolve, RSNs, leagues, and teams are increasingly launching their own DTC streaming platforms to reach fans directly. This session addresses the strategies driving successful RSN streaming services, new digital monetization opportunities, and the technological advances shaping the next generation of regional-sports-content delivery.

MODERATOR: Brandon Costa, SVG, Director of Digital PANELISTS:

Allen Broome, MediaKind, CEO

Kris Knief, Foley Entertainment Group, VP, Strategy and Innovation

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

Mike Schabel, Kiswe, COO

1:50 – 2:30 p.m. NETWORKING BREAK in Exhibits Area

2:30 – 2:50 p.m. FIRESIDE CHAT: Inside Scripps Sports’ Regional Sports Roadmap

Since its launch at the end of 2022, Scripps Sports has focused on its ability to provide professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with the ability to reach up to 100% of their fan bases via E. W. Scripps Company’s 60+ local TV stations and Ion Network. Quinn Pacini, VP, Scripps Sports Broadcast Operations, sits down to discuss what’s on their future roadmap and how broadcast provides a platform to reach more eyeballs.

MODERATOR: Jason Dachman, SVG, Editorial Director, U.S.

SPEAKER: Quinn Pacini, Scripps Sports, VP, Broadcast Operations

2:50 – 3:10 p.m. PRODUCTION SPOTLIGHT:

NBC Sports Chicago’s Animated, Real-Time Blackhawks Telecast

The growing trend of real-time animated sports broadcasts hit the regional level in April, when the NBC Sports Chicago and the NHL brought presented an animated alternate broadcast of the Chicago Blackhawks’ face-off with the Dallas Stars. During this fireside chat, get an inside look at both the strategy and technology behind this groundbreaking production, as well how these animated ventures could attract a whole new generation of local fans.

SPEAKER: Jon Slobotkin, NBC Sports Regional Networks, SVP, Content and Live Programming

3:10 – 3:50 p.m. TECH IN ACTION:

The Latest Innovations Impacting Regional Sports Production

Industry leaders will address the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting cutting-edge technologies, the impact on production costs and efficiencies, and future trends that will continue to shape the regional-sports-production landscape.

MODERATOR: Ken Kerschbaumer, SVG, Co-Executive Director, Editorial Services

PANELISTS:

Tom Buffolano, Tata Communications / The Switch, Head of Business Development, College Sports

Luc Comeau, Diversified, Director of Innovation Enablement

Drew Janes, DEFY / Wirecam, Founder

Angus Mackay, Matrox Video, Product Marketing Manager

Rusty West, NBC Sports Bay Area / CA, Coordinating Producer – Live Events Technology

REGIONAL SPORTSPRODUCTION SUMMIT

SPEAKER BIOS

RYAN BILLIE, Monumental Sports Network, Live Event Producer, Capitals and Mystics

Billie just completed his fifth season as the game producer for the Washington Capitals broadcasts on Monumental Sports Network and is currently in his second season as a Washington Mystics game producer. Prior to his current role, Billie was the pregame/postgame producer for the network’s Washington Capitals broadcasts for five seasons.

JARED BOSHNACK, YES Network, VP, Production

Boshnack oversees all of YES’ production efforts in coordination with the network’s President of Production & Programming John J. Filippelli, and plays a lead role in programming development, as well. Throughout his YES career, Boshnack has tackled all aspects of production, picking up 30 New York Emmy Awards and two Promax/BDA awards.

TOM BUFFOLANO, Tata Communications / The Switch, Head of Business Development, College Sports

Buffolano’s experience spans business development and partnerships, sales and marketing, rights acquisition, programming and production, distribution, and monetization. Buffolano holds decades of experience growing businesses and driving new partnerships at leading media companies, including MTV Networks, CBS College Sports, LTN Global Communications, BitFire Network/Studios, and LiveU.

KENDALL BURGESS, MLB, VP of Operations, Local Media

Burgess is responsible for the technical and operational details of all live MLB regional broadcasts. Prior to joining MLB, Burgess was the vice president of technical operations for Bally Sports where she worked closely with production and engineering management to provide direction for 19 regional networks across the country.

ALLEN BROOME, MediaKind, CEO

Broome is a visionary leader with a unique blend of technical acumen, industry knowledge, and progressive leadership. Having served as MediaKind’s chief technology officer, he deeply understands technical infrastructure and product development, allowing him to align leading innovation to maximize MediaKind’s business objectives.

LUC

COMEAU, Diversified, Director of Innovation Enablement

Comeau leverages his more than 30 years of industry experience to deliver future-forward solutions for an evolving media landscape. With an unyielding dedication to delivering an exceptional client experience, he routinely goes above and beyond to push the boundaries of possibilities to ensure the most desirable outcome and solutions that give clients a highly sought after competitive edge.

PATRICK CRAKES, Crakes Media, Principal

Crakes has served in various senior executive media roles during the course of his career including several at FOX Sports. During the last six years of his 23-year tenure there he was SVP of programming, research, and content strategy — responsible for strategic programming decisions across multiple sports networks and platforms including FOX, FS1, FS2, and FOX Deportes.

DEVON FOX, NBC Sports Bay Area & California, Senior Director of Live Events & Special Projects

Fox oversees all areas of production for more than 600 games annually, including live coverage of the MLB’s San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics, NBA’s Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings, and the NHL’s San Jose Sharks.

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-to-day operations for its mobile unit fleet covering over 4,000 live events annually, and its audio/video manufacturing facility called Colorado Studios. MTVG has led live 4K HDR productions in the U.S. covering the PGA Tour, NBA, NHL, UFC, college football, entertainment, and corporate events for many of the top Fortune 500 companies.

MAT HATHAWAY, Diamond Sports Group, VP, Engineering

Hathaway oversees all broadcast, network, and systems infrastructure, ensuring seamless operations and technological advancement across the organization. Prior to becoming VP, engineering, Hathaway was the chief engineer of the South region at Diamond Sports.

TRAVIS HENDERSON,

Utah Jazz, SVP of Broadcasting

Henderson began his television career as a video intern with a production company while attending the University of Utah. He was a master control operator for KXIV-TV when Larry H. Miller bought the station and renamed it KJZZ-TV to air Utah Jazz games. He quickly became involved in the production of the University of Utah’s football and basketball games and later started producing the Utah Jazz.

DREW JANES, DEFY / Wirecam, Founder

Janes is the visionary and founder of DEFY Products, where he revolutionizes the use of moving cameras to capture dynamic visuals in live broadcasts, feature films, and cutting-edge technology projects. With a knack for solving complex challenges, Janes has turned DEFY Products into a leading innovator, creating groundbreaking solutions that set the standard for the world’s largest tech companies.

DOUG JOHNSON, MLB, SVP and Executive Producer, Local Media

Johnson joined MLB as SVP and executive producer, local media in March of 2023 and is responsible for overseeing all games produced locally by MLB. A 27-time Emmy Award winner, Johnson has produced or directed over 2000+ events. He previously was at AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh where he was responsible for the day-to-day management and long-term planning for more than 250 live events each year.

CAROLINE KLEIN, Smith Entertainment Group, Chief Communications Officer

Klein’s responsibilities include driving the strategy behind the organization’s public relations, community relations, broadcasting, and streaming efforts, while also coordinating large-scale marketing initiatives through all the company’s platforms, encompassing the Utah Jazz NBA franchise; Utah’s newly-established NHL franchise; and Delta Center, the home arena for both teams.

KRIS

KNIEF, Foley Entertainment Group, VP, Strategy and Innovation

Knief’s primary areas of focus are data/business analytics, technology solutions, strategic planning, merchandising, F&B operations, and new business ventures. He is a former specialist, strategic business ventures for the New York Yankees, along with stops at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; NBC Sports Group; Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment; and The Office of the Commissioner, Major League Baseball.

JESS KOWATCH, Program Productions, EVP, Operations and COO

With over 15 years of experience managing projects, Kowatch has served with Program Productions since 2015. As a hard-working, multi-task titan who treats crews like family, some of her senior-level direction duties relate to client resource allocation and communication directives, new business development, national training initiatives, and assisting with labor union negotiations.

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REGIONALSPORTSPRODUCTION SUMMIT

SPEAKER BIOS,

MATT KROL, Altitude Sports & Entertainment, VP/GM/Executive Producer

Krol has been with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) since 2005 and was named as VP, General Manager, and Executive Producer of Altitude Sports Entertainment, KSE’s Denver-based regional sports network, in 2019. For two years prior to that, Krol was VP of KSE Digital and leading the Social group for the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Mammoth, and more.

JAMON LOMAX, Canon, Senior Manager of Television Broadcast & Production Sales, U.S. and Latin American Markets

Lomax leads an experienced team of industry veterans focused on sales and support of their partners in all areas of television broadcasting, and live sports and entertainment production. He has spent the last 23 years at Canon USA working in a variety of client facing roles focused on professional imaging product sales.

ANGUS MACKAY, Matrox Video, Product Marketing Manager

Mackay’s professional achievements include proficiency in postproduction for film, television, and media, experience as an in-house producer specializing in sales pitches and rapport-building, and roles in content production, product marketing, and customer relations with companies such as Autodesk and Avid.

LARRY MEYERS, Pac-12 Networks, EVP, Content

Meyers is responsible for the 850 live events plus extensive studio and shoulder content delivered via MVPD and authenticated TV Everywhere platforms, plus hundreds more of university-created streamed events available on the Pac-12 app and the Pac-12 Insider FAST channel.

BRIAN MITCHELL, ATTSN Rocky Mountain, Former Executive Producer

An executive producer at multiple RSNs, Mitchell most recently was the EP at AT&T SportNet Rocky Mountain where he was in charge of all live event production including for the Colorado Rockies, Las Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Jazz, and Mountain West Conference college football and basketball. He oversaw all aspects of production for over 300 live events annually (MLB, NBA, NHL CFB, CBK) and managed a 20-person production and engineering staff.

QUINN PACINI, Scripps Sports, VP, Broadcast Operations

Pacini is responsible for Scripps’ live sports and sports-related content presentation. He is the primary lead with the company’s internal production team, local affiliates, talent, and production partners. Pacini has been a committee member of Scripps Sports since it was announced in December 2022.

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, and serves as the official TV home of the CIF High School State Championships.

MATT SANDULLI, SNY, VP, Live Game/Long-Form Production

Sandulli joined the company in 2022. He is responsible for event coverage of New York Mets baseball and UConn Women’s basketball, and has oversight for 3rd party productions of various college sports and minor league baseball. Sandulli oversees all strategy, planning, and execution of long form original content being produced by and for the network.

MIKE

SCHABEL, Kiswe, COO

Schabel started his career at Bell Labs after receiving a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, and then focused his career around building global businesses in new and emerging markets including the Internet of Things, wireless small cells, wireless analytics, and mobile soft-switches. He currently is focused on building solutions that address the shifting viewing behaviors around rights-based media.

JON SLOBOTKIN, NBC Sports Regional Networks SVP, Content and Live Programming

Slobotkin has served as senior vice president of content and live programming for NBC Sports Regional Networks since 2017. In this role he is responsible for all content and live production, which includes more than 1,500 games annually, and leads content and production strategy and execution across platforms. Prior to his current role, Slobotkin served as vice president and executive producer of live events.

MIKE WEBB, YES Network, VP, Broadcast Operations and Engineering

Webb oversees long-range planning, field and studio operations, and engineering at YES. Webb has played a major role in all of YES’ technical and production innovations over the years, including the design and building of all of the network’s new production and satellite trucks; the building out of YES’ HD production and master control facilities; the frequent introduction of state-of-the-art cameras, replay machines and other equipment; and the updating of YES’ Stamford, CT, production facilities.

RUSTY WEST, NBC Sports Bay Area / CA, Coordinating Producer –Live Events Technology

West is a visionary, inventor, and content creator of media technologies. He is a creative production and technical design leader for NBC Sports Bay Area and California. West leads and manages the deployment of innovative technology throughout live sports productions. He is responsible for the support of their production teams to deliver next-level experiences for viewers within their live broadcasts.

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REGIONAL SPORTS PRODUCTION SUMMIT

KENDALL BURGESS

MLB, VP of Operations, Local Media

JOSH JUN

NESN, VP of Content

MIKE CONNELLY

Bally Sports Regional Networks, EVP

MATT KROL

Altitude Sports and Entertainment, VP, General Manager, and Executive Producer

MATT SANDULLI

SNY, VP, Game/ Long-Form Production

DAVID SCHAFER

MSG Networks, SVP, Product, Technology & Operations

RON GRALNIK

Bally Sports, VP, Production

ED HALL

Rogers Sports & Media, Executive Producer, NHL Productions

ADAM MARTIYAN

MASN, Coordinating Producer / Live Events Producer

JON SLOBOTKIN

NBC Sports Regional Networks, SVP, Content and Live Programming

LARRY MEYERS Pac-12 Networks, EVP, Content

DOUG JOHNSON MLB, SVP and Executive Producer, Local Media

AJ PONSIGLIONE

Spectrum Networks, Senior Coordinating Producer

KEN STIVER

MASN, SVP, Engineering & Network

MIKE WEBB

YES Network, VP, Broadcast Operations

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