Top ESPN Executive John Lasker to Depart in September

John Lasker, a highly respected executive at ESPN responsible for driving the network’s streaming efforts, is set to depart in September. Lasker has been pivotal in ESPN’s transition to the world of direct-to-consumer streaming platforms, a space that continues to gain significance as more viewers move away from traditional cable services and shift towards streaming.

During his impressive 27-year tenure at ESPN, Lasker held various roles, starting from sales planning and climbing the ranks to take on key responsibilities in programming and acquisitions for digital media. His work involved close collaboration with teams across ESPN, Disney+, and Hulu, covering areas such as programming, content acquisition, marketing, ad sales, technology, product, finance, communications, and research and analytics.

Notably, Lasker played a crucial role in the launch of several ESPN streaming services over the years, including ESPN MobileTV in 2006, ESPN3.com in 2010, WatchESPN in 2011, and ESPN+ in 2018. As a forward-thinker and innovator, Lasker’s strategic vision has helped shape the way fans engage with ESPN’s content in today’s digital landscape.

Moving forward, Brian Marshall, ESPN’s vice president of sports products and strategy, will lead Lasker’s team on an interim basis. Rosalyn Durant, executive vice president of programming and acquisitions at ESPN, commended Lasker for his significant contributions and leadership, noting his role in driving the network’s streaming business forward.

Before his time at ESPN, Lasker honed his skills as a media buyer at Zenith Media in New York. He holds a degree in psychology from Marist College, graduating in 1997.

As the streaming landscape continues to evolve rapidly, Lasker’s departure marks the end of an era at ESPN. His innovative spirit and dedication to enhancing the fan experience have left a lasting impact on ESPN’s streaming initiatives, setting a high bar for the network’s future endeavors in the digital realm.