Lenny Daniels is the latest WarnerMedia veteran to exit the company since it was acquired by former Discovery Communications.
Daniels was president of the sports media operation formerly known as Turner Sports, which includes the company’s NBA, NHL, and Major League Baseball programs and studio offerings as well as the NCAA March Madness tournament co-parent Warner Bros. Television. Discovery with Paramount Global affiliate CBS Sports. “He has decided to leave WBD Sports, effective immediately,” Louis Silberwasser, president of sports operations for Warner Bros. Discovery, told employees in a note Monday. “While this change will happen immediately, Lenny has agreed to work with me to ensure a smooth transition.”
Daniels, who has been with the company for 27 years, is not named to head up the parents’ sports business, which now extends to include sports rights to the Olympics in Europe, among other holdings. Silberwasser has been named Sports President of Warner Bros. Television. Discovery in June.
The Sports Business Journal reported earlier on the CEO’s departure.
However, Daniels’ departure would leave Warner Bros. as the main company. Discovery is without one of its familiar faces as it faces a new round of negotiations to acquire the rights to NBA games, one of the cornerstones of its extensive programming schedule. Warner Bros. has signed on. In October signed new multi-year deals with Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith to host TNT’s flagship studio show, “Inside The NBA,” but its CEO, David Zaslav, recently warned that the company “doesn’t have” to get the league. The NBA’s current deal with both Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney’s ESPN expires after the 2024-25 season.
Daniels was instrumental in helping Turner acquire the Bleacher Report sports website.
“I am very confident about the future of WBD Sports, both here in the US and abroad. We have an enviable group of premium sports assets, and we have the best creative, production and business teams in the industry,” said Silberwasser. “With all of you, we will continue to innovate and grow. And making the important strategic decisions that qualify us for long-term success in this new media landscape.”
Daniels’ direct reports will now report to Silberwasser. It doesn’t seem likely that the company will take on Daniels’ role right away. Tina Shah, Executive Vice President and General Manager; Craig Barry, Chief Content Officer; Tara August, Senior Vice President, Talent Relations; Bennett Spector, who heads content and programming at Bleacher Report’; Chris Brown, vice president of technical operations, is expected to remain with the company. cn
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