John Lasker, a Top ESPN Streaming Executive, to Exit in September

John Lasker, who helped ESPN launch itself into the direct-to-consumer era, with oversight of an area that will likely grow in importance and more video consumers abandon cable for streaming, plans to leave the Disney sports-media giant in late September.

The decision, according to a person familiar with the matter, is his. Lasker has worked at ESPN for 27 years, joining in 1999 as a supervisor of sales planning before advancing to account sales executive in 2002 and manager of program planning just one year later. In 2006 he assumed responsibility for programming and acquisitions for ESPN’s digital media.

Lasker works closely with functional groups across ESPN, Disney+ and Hulu, including programming, content acquisition, marketing, ad sales, technology, product, finance, communications, and research and analytics. He helped develop and launchESPN MobileTV in 2006, ESPN3.com in 2010, WatchESPN in 2011, and ESPN+ in 2018.     

Brian Marshall, vice president of sports products and strategy, will oversee Lasker’s team on an interim basis.

“Throughout his career, John has been at the forefront of nearly every major iteration and evolution of our streaming business, shaping how fans access and experience ESPN content in the digital age,” said Rosalyn Durant, executive vice president of programming and acquisitions, in a memo to employees. “His vision, strategic thinking and willingness to embrace innovation and risk-taking have helped ESPN meet sports fans wherever they are, and however they choose to watch.”

Before joining ESPN, Lasker worked at Zenith Media in New York as a media buyer. He graduated from Marist College in 1997 with a degree in psychology.