Back9Network, the new sports lifestyle network for golf fans who want to do more than follow the leaderboard, today announced that Ryan Ballengee, most recently a frequent contributor to NBC Sports’ GolfChannel.com, has joined the network as managing editor of Back9Network.com.
In his new role at Back9Network.com, the online clubhouse for Back9Network, Ballengee will be responsible for all actions behind the scenes to ensure Back9Network.com is the home of compelling, entertaining and engaging content. He will guide a team of 30 national and international contributors to Back9Network.com, while also being a regular contributor himself, providing the same kind of insight and perspective on professional golf, the golf business and the golfing life that he has since 2001.
“Ryan has spent much of his life sharing his passion for golf and adding him to the Back9 team assures that the quality of our online content will be best-in-class,” said James Bosworth, founder and CEO, Back9Network. “While traditional golf media emphasizes coverage of pro tournaments, Back9Network looks at golf through a broader, more diverse lens. Ryan will help sharpen our focus on Back9’s coverage of the golf lifestyle and the influence the sport has worldwide on and off the course.”
The Back9Network, which made its online debut in 2012, recently broke ground on its state-of-the-art TV studio and video production facility in downtown Hartford, Connecticut, which is quickly becoming the sports media capital of the world with ESPN, NBC Sports, YES Network and World Wrestling Entertainment also based in the state. Back9Network plans to launch its TV programming lineup via cable and satellite in the first half of 2013.
“I love golf; not just playing the game, but everything that surrounds golf and is touched by the game. That’s what Back9Network is all about,” said Ballengee. “For years, there has been talk about growing the game and I think Back9 is taking the right approach to open up the club to golf fans of all kinds. Back9 can help change the game, while honoring its history, and I’m excited to join the team.”
Ballengee has been writing, blogging and broadcasting about golf for over a decade, working for NBC Sports, Golf Channel and SB Nation. From November 2010 to August 2012, he wrote about golf for NBC Universal, where he was a frequent contributor to GolfChannel.com’s blog, GolfTalkCentral. He also oversaw editorial content for NBCSports.com’s ProGolfTalk blog. Ballengee hosted a popular podcast, The 19th Hole Golf Show, for nearly a decade. In 2003, he created Golf News Net (GNN), the online news complement to the podcast, providing information, analysis and opinion.
Ballengee loves to golf, even when trying futilely to qualify for the U.S. Open. He carries a .8 handicap index, though he’ll happily add strokes to play in a scramble. A graduate of theUniversityofMarylandin 2004 (B.S., Business Administration) and 2006 (Master of Public Policy), Ballengee is an avid Terps fan. He loves the Baltimore Orioles and Green Bay Packers. He lives in theWashington,D.C.area with his wife.
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