Back9Network, the new lifestyle television and media network for golf fans who want to do more than follow the leaderboard, today announced that Robert Abbott has joined the company as Executive Vice President, Production & Content Development.
Mr. Abbott joins Back9Network after an award-winning career with leading media companies, including ESPN, Inc. and CNN. In his most recent ESPN role as Senior Coordinating Producer of Content Development, Mr. Abbott, who joined ESPN in 2001, oversaw the development of new shows, special projects and provided editorial direction for ESPN Films. Mr. Abbott was co-creator of E:60, the network’s first multi-themed prime-time newsmagazine series. He oversaw overall production, including staffing, editorial content, budgeting and story ideas for the Emmy Award-winning show.
“Robert is a world-class guy with award-winning talent who will be a major asset as we prepare for our network TV launch in 2013,” said James Bosworth, founder and CEO, Back9Network. “His perspective and experience in developing compelling content will be critical as we produce and acquire signature programming.”
“I’m excited and inspired by the vision and the passion of Jamie and the Back9Network team,” said Mr. Abbott. “I’ve had the good fortune of working for two great media brands and I believe Back9Network is an opportunity to help establish the next one.”
Mr. Abbott previously served as a coordinating producer for ESPN Classic from 2004 to 2007, where he created, launched and was responsible for the production of 59 episodes of one of the network’s signature series – Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Blame. From February 2003 to September 2004, he was the coordinating producer and launched “Who’s #1?”, “The Headlines” and ESPN’s Silver Anniversary special programming.
From 2001 to 2003, he produced ESPN Classic’s critically-acclaimed SportsCentury series, profiling sports personalities such as Baltimore Raven Ray Lewis, legendary NFL coach Bill Parcells, professional women’s tennis players, The Williams Sisters, and Jerry Jones’ Cowboys.
Prior to joining ESPN, Mr. Abbott was a producer for CNN (1987 – 2001). At CNN, he served as the network’s Olympic producer for 10 years, spanning five Olympic games. He also worked as a producer for CNN Sports, news shows, and as an investigative producer. Mr. Abbott’s investigative work on Bob Knight’s controversial coaching tactics eventually led to the firing of the legendary coach byIndianaUniversityafter 29 years at the school.
Mr. Abbott has been honored for his work, receiving five Sports Emmy Awards in four different categories including Journalism, Long Feature, Best New Approaches and Anthology Series. He also won a News and Documentary Emmy Award for CNN’s Breaking News Coverage of The Olympic Park Bombing in 1996. His 1999 Bob Knight investigation garnered a National Headliner Award for Sports Reporting.
A native ofMiami,FL, Mr. Abbott is a 1986 graduate ofFloridaStateUniversitywith a Bachelor of Science degree in communications.
Back9Network, which made its online debut in 2012, is focused on all the things golf fans love about playing and living the game. Back9Network has started construction on its state-of-the-art TV studio and video production facility in downtownHartford,Connecticut, which is quickly becoming the sports media capital of the world with ESPN, NBC Sports and YES Network also based in the state. Back9Network plans to launch its TV programming lineup via cable and satellite in the first half of 2013.
About Back9Network:
Back9Network, based in Hartford, CT, is the new lifestyle television and media network for golf fans who want to do more than follow the leaderboard. Back9Network was developed as a complementary alternative to traditional golf media’s primary focus on coverage of professional golf tournaments. With features and fashions, interviews and instruction, travel, gear and so much more, golf fans of all kinds will want to hang with the Back9Network. Back9Network.com, the online clubhouse for Back9Network, delivers a fresh perspective on the golf lifestyle and its worldwide influence. Back9Network will be coming to TV and mobile devices in the first half of 2013. Back9Network’s leadership includes respected and outspoken executives from the golf and media industries. Clint Eastwood serves as chairman of the Back9Network Creative Committee.For further information, visit www.Back9Network.com.