Showtime Names New EVP-GM To Oversee Sports Programming

Espinoza replaces Ken Hershman, who left in October to become president of HBO Sports.

Espinoza will be responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the sports and event group, including “developing and executing the overall strategy of the group and its pay-per-view unit, managing the network’s relationships with distributors, talent and suppliers, and the acquisition and licensing of Showtime and pay-per-view sports and event programming.”

Prior to joining Showtine, Espinoza was a partner in the firm of Ziffren Brittenham LLP, where he specialized in representing athletes and sports personalities, including professional boxers Oscar De La Hoya and Mike Tyson, lead counsel for De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions since the formation of the company, former NFL star and current broadcaster Michael Strahan and mixed martial arts fighter Gina Carano.

According to Matthew Blank, chairman and CEO for Showtime Networks, “Stephen has had a great career that spans sports, entertainment, television and film. His deep experience in a variety of fields and incredible knowledge and contacts within the boxing and mixed martial arts communities will be an asset to Showtime as we continue to expand our offerings. I am confident that he will be a great leader to our already all-star sports group.”

The network’s current sports programming includes Championship Boxing, the Super Six World Boxing Classic, Inside Nascar, ShoBox: The New Generation, Inside the NFL and Strikeforce mixed martial arts.