Craig Lazarus was named Vice Preisdent & Executive Producer, Business Operations, ESPN Original Content in January of 2025.

In this role, Lazarus focuses on all aspects of production management and budgets for Original Content, including 30 for 30, ESPN Original series, podcasts, E60, and SC Featured.  His team is responsible for leading cross-platform integration and company-wide collaboration for all Original Content titles, acting as the central connective tissue between Production, Marketing, Communications, Synergy, and internal content platforms. He drives increased visibility and industry recognition for Original Content titles by leading the strategy and operations for film festivals and award programs, as well as festival and event sponsorship.

Lazarus’s expanded role includes oversight of The ESPY Awards. As Executive Producer, he manages all aspects of the event, including content, production, and execution, further expanding his leadership in high-profile sports programming and live event storytelling.

By leveraging his expertise in content, talent management, and business operations, Lazarus is leading efforts to expand ESPN’s reach and connect with new and diverse audiences.

Prior to his current role, Lazarus was Vice President and Executive Producer of Original Content & Features, where he led three of ESPN’s storytelling teams: the Event/Studio Features Unit, the SportsCenter Enhancement Unit, and the Creative Content Unit, which is responsible for the company’s largest creative productions elevating marquee live events such as Monday Night Football.

From 2017 to 2019, he oversaw ESPN’s features and storytelling for numerous areas, including multiple projects for ESPN Films and launching original series for ESPN+. Previously, as Vice President of ESPN’s SportsCenter & News Storytelling Units (2014-2017), Lazarus led E60, Outside the Lines, the Event/Studio Features Unit, and the Longform Enterprise & Investigative Unit.

Lazarus’s contributions to cross-platform storytelling have been instrumental in ESPN’s growth. Under his leadership, sharing content and reporting across international networks, digital, and audio platforms has expanded ESPN’s reach. He has also collaborated with ABC News to integrate sports content into broader news coverage.

Lazarus joined ESPN in 1988, starting in the NFL unit and rising from Production Assistant to Coordinating Producer of Sunday NFL Countdown. Over the years, he has held key leadership roles, including:

• Vice President, News and Assignment Desk (2011-2014) – Led ESPN’s daily news operations.
• Vice President, Cross-Platform Newsgathering Unit (2007- 2011) – Managed the Event/Studio Features Unit, Enterprise & Investigative Unit, and Deportes & International Features Unit.
• Vice President, Studio Production (2006-2007) – Oversaw all editions of SportsCenter.
• Senior Coordinating Producer, College GameDay (2005-2006) – Led the show through two consecutive years of record-breaking viewership and ratings.
• Senior Coordinating Producer, Features – Created and led the ESPN Features Unit, an award-winning team that has set industry standards for longform storytelling since 2002.
• Coordinating Producer, Outside the Lines – In the 1990s, pioneered coverage of groundbreaking topics, including “The World of the Gay Athlete” and the impact of gang culture in sports.

A past member of ESPN’s companywide Editorial Board (2004-2017) and Studio Production’s Diversity & Inclusion subcommittee (2014-2018), Lazarus has consistently championed innovation and inclusivity within sports media.

Lazarus’s contributions to sports storytelling and journalism have been recognized with more than 30 Sports Emmys and more than 20 Edward R. Murrow Awards.

He is a graduate of Duke University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies.

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