Zack Malet is ESPN’s director of business development and innovation. He negotiates and manages ESPN’s third-party business agreements with a focus on strategic innovation and technology partnerships.
Since joining ESPN in 2012, he has worked in Disney Platform Distribution where he managed distribution of Disney properties with cable and streaming partners and in ESPN’s programming and acquisitions’ content strategy and college sports groups.
Prior to ESPN, he worked for sports agency, Shapiro Negotiations Institute.
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career?
I championed a collaboration between Doc Wayne Youth Services, ESPN and The Village formed in 2021. Doc Wayne is a nonprofit whose youth-focused, sport-infused therapies improve mental health. ESPN supports this Doc Wayne-Village collaboration that has already touched hundreds of Hartford area youth. The initiative served as a key early success, expanding to reach 500,000 youth in 25 countries in the past 18 months.
How are you involved in the community?
In addition to serving on the board at The Village, I’ve volunteered at Fetching Hearts, Double Dog Rescue, and, through ESPN, worked with Connecticut Special Olympics, NYC Marathon, Peace Players International and the Boys & Girls Clubs. I’m a proud member of Phatback Athletics, a mentoring/track program in Philadelphia.
Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty?
- Championed a collaboration between Doc Wayne, ESPN and The Village to improve Great Hartford area youth mental health.
- Elected board member of the Village focused on giving back to and improving the greater Hartford area.
- Elected to Disney and ESPN Diversity Equity and Inclusion councils.
- Helped launch ESPN’s Fifty/50 World, an interactive and shared 3D world built to inspire, educate and reflect on 50 years of Title IX.
Fun Fact
I’ve thrown a first pitch at Dunkin’ (it was high and outside). Go Goats!
Theme Song
Mash-up of “Living Legends”; “Hard Work Movement” and “The Gambler” — Kenny Rogers
Bucket List
What are two things that you would like to achieve before you turn 40?
I want to help build the next great business venture of ESPN and see the northern lights with my wife.
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