Heather Anderson Moves to ESPN as Vice President, Programming and Acquisitions

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Heather Anderson Moves to ESPN as Vice President, Programming and Acquisitions

Photo of Dave Nagle Dave Nagle Follow on Twitter October 18, 2021

Heather Anderson has joined ESPN as vice president, programming and acquisitions. Anderson, a highly experienced entertainment and technology attorney who has worked in various aspects of the media and music business for almost 25 years, joins ESPN from The Walt Disney Company Legal, where she has served as vice president and assistant chief counsel. She will be based in Los Angeles, reporting to Burke Magnus, president, programming and original content, ESPN.

In her new role, Anderson will work immediately with Mike Morrison, ESPN vice president, sports betting and fantasy, on the sports betting opportunity. She will be the primary point of contact between Programming and Original Content and ESPN Content Strategy and Office of the Chairman, and will streamline communication with the Content Strategy team related to large, multi-sport opportunities and audience expansion initiatives. She will play a similar role acting as a liaison between Programming and Original Content and Business Development and Innovation on ESPN Edge, sports betting, work on The Undefeated, and more.

“Heather’s extensive experience across the Disney family and on a variety of platforms make her a fantastic addition to our leadership team,” said Magnus. “We’re eager to welcome her to ESPN at an exciting time as we continue to grow and innovate.”

Added Anderson: “I am thrilled to expand on my vast experiences in the entertainment industry and at The Walt Disney Company through this opportunity to focus on diversity and innovation in programming with the best brand in sports!”

Anderson received dual bachelor of arts degrees in political science and ethnic studies from UC Berkeley and her J.D. with a concentration in Intellectual Property and Entertainment law from the UCLA School of Law.

Prior to joining ESPN, she served as vice president and assistant chief counsel at The Walt Disney Company. Anderson, who began her TWDC career in 2013, led a team specialized in supporting products such as mobile apps, websites, vertical video games, and interactive connected and VR experiences.  Formerly an attorney in the Business and Legal Affairs department of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Anderson handled multi-million-dollar recording, production and license agreements for high profile IGA artists.

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Photo of Dave Nagle Dave Nagle Follow on Twitter October 18, 2021
Photo of Dave Nagle

Dave Nagle

As I write this on 11-11-21, it's now 35 years for me at ESPN, the only real job I’ve ever had. I joined merely to help with the upcoming America’s Cup in Australia. I was told it would be for three months at all of $5.50 per hour. I like to say I simply kept showing up. I’ve worked on almost every sport, plus answered viewer calls and letters (people used to write!), given tours, written the company newsletter and once drove NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon to the local airport. My travels have been varied…I’ve been to Martinsville, Darlington, Indy and Super Bowls; the America’s Cup (all 3) in San Diego and College GameDay in the sport’s meccas such as Eugene, Auburn, Lubbock, Stillwater and more; the NBA Finals, Wimbledon (16 times and counting) and the “other Bristol,” the one with a race track in Tennessee. These days, my main areas are tennis, UFC, boxing, network-wide ratings (by month/quarter/year), and corporate communications documents, including fact sheets, chronologies, lists and nearly 35 of the Year in Review press releases. UPDATE EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER: Today, November 11, 2022, I am retiring from ESPN -- 36 years to the day I began. As I ride off into the sunset – top down and E Street Radio blaring – I do so with so many wonderful memories, proud of my contributions and a heart full of gratitude for the opportunity. 
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