George W. Bodenheimer, Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks and President, ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports

THIS MEDIA COUNCIL EVENT IS INVITE-ONLY.

An ESPN and cable industry pioneer, George Bodenheimer was named ESPN's fifth president in 1998, and as the company's longest-tenured top executive has led an unprecedented period of growth for ESPN.  Bodenheimer's path to leadership mirrors that of ESPN itself - with his sharp focus on creativity and cutting-edge innovation, his emphasis on always enhancing value for ESPN's fans and business partners, and his conviction for teamwork.  In 2003, he was also appointed president of ABC Sports, overseeing all the multimedia sports assets of The Walt Disney Company, and in 2004 he assumed the role of co-chairman, Disney Media Networks, encompassing strategic planning for Disney's media assets.

As president of ESPN, Inc., Bodenheimer leads one of the world's premier brands with over fifty business entities and counting - including six domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU); forty-six international television networks; ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS and ESPNU HD (simulcast services in high-definition); ESPN 3D launching in June 2010; ESPN Regional Television; ESPN.com; ESPN Radio; ESPN The Magazine and books; the ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants); and other growing new businesses including ESPN360.com (broadband), ESPN Mobile (wireless), ESPN on Demand and ESPN Interactive. 

As president of ABC Sports, he oversees one of the broadcast industry's most comprehensive sports programming schedules, which is now branded "ESPN on ABC."  Among the premier programming is the NBA Finals, NASCAR, college football including the Rose Bowl, college basketball, World Cup Soccer, the Belmont Stakes, Little League World Series, the Indy 500 and more. 

Bodenheimer joined the company after college in January 1981 as a driver in the mailroom. He was graduated from Denison University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, and he is married with three children.