When Bristol-based sports media behemoth ESPN turned 40 last year, James Pitaro, who took over as president in 2018, was there to cut the cake.
In an age of streaming content, Pitaro is running ESPN at a time of extreme disruption in the cable TV industry, and so far he’s leaned into adjusting to a changing landscape.
In 2019, he led ESPN’s expansion of NBA, ultimate fighting and gambling content. Under Pitaro the network also introduced the ESPN Plus digital streaming service, which offers live sports and other original content. That streaming service had 3.5 million subscribers by the beginning of 2020.
The biggest challenge he faces right now is a lack of sports programming since all major U.S. and international sports leagues are dormant with the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
As ESPN continues to expand across the U.S. with studios in Los Angeles and New York City, Pitaro said he remains committed to Bristol. In fact, the company added 100 jobs there last year and now has about 4,000 employees in the state.