Rodolfo Martinez, a 34-year production veteran, joined ESPN in 1997 as an associate producer. In 2009, Martinez was named ESPN’s vice president, production and operations, responsible for live events, studio shows, news and information for ESPN Deportes and all of ESPN’s networks outside of the U.S. He is also responsible for the content development unit of ESPN Deportes and ESPN International overseeing series including “Last Train to Russia,” “Capitales,” “Destino Confidencial” and “Archivo ESPN,” among others. Over the last few years, Martinez also managed initiatives focused on the growth of ESPN International expansion in Africa, Australia, India, China, and the Philippines.

Following the successful debuts of Bundesliga and LaLiga on ESPN and ESPN+ in English and Spanish in the United States, Martinez was named senior vice president for International and ESPN Deportes Production in 2022. The same year, the company merged its international and U.S. domestic (English and Spanish) coverage of global soccer under Martinez’s leadership.

Under his stewardship, ESPN Deportes has been recognized with four Emmys for SportsCenter, Nación ESPN and the 2016 “Olympic’s Suite” video. He was also named to Cablefax Magazine’s Most Influential Hispanics list and has received several Telly’s awards.

Martinez has been responsible for major programming initiatives such leading international production for Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010, London 2012, Sochi 2014, and Rio de Janeiro 2016 and has led production for three FIFA World Cups – Korea/Japan 2002, Germany 2006, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014. In 2015, Martinez spearheaded the launch of a new state-of-the-art four-studio production facility in Mexico City developed with the identical technology and look-and-feel of other SportsCenter.

Prior to this position, Martinez served as senior director of production, where he managed and directed studio, news gathering and remote production for ESPN Deportes and ESPN International in Mexico. Martinez was also responsible for expanding SportsCenter and Fútbol Picante, and significantly enhanced remote production of soccer, baseball, tennis and golf among other series.

During his career, Martinez has worked as an independent producer/director of documentaries for several TV stations as well as co-creator of the series “Atenas el Reto” for HBO. Early in his career, Martinez worked as a radio announcer and a TV host. From 1989-1995, he founded and served as host to a radio show “Entre Sorbo y Sorbo” produced from Comarca Lagunera, Mexico.

Martinez earned his college degree in Mexico and a master’s in TV, radio and film from Syracuse University.

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