As expected, Comcast Corp. has retained former Turner veteran Mark Lazarus to help lead its cable sports properties.
n his role as a senior sports adviser, Lazarus, who most recently has been working as president of media and marketing at Atlanta-based Career Sports & Entertainment, will help steer Comcast's regional sports networks, national sports service Versus and Golf Channel.
Multichannel News reported that Lazarus would be joining Comcast's cable sports team in the days immediately following the announcement of the company's executive management structure upon the completion of its union with NBC Universal.
"Mark is one of the most well respected executives in sports and we're very pleased he will be joining Comcast," said Comcast COO Steve Burke. "He brings an extensive sports background and strong industry experience to our team and will work closely with Jon Litner, Jamie Davis, and Earl Marshall."
Those executives head Comcast SportsNet regionals, Versus and Golf, respectively.
Prior to serving at Career Sports & Entertainment, Lazarus was president of Turner Entertainment Group where he oversaw all aspects of Turner Entertainment Networks, including Turner Sports, TBS, TNT, TCM and TruTV, among other networks. He also set the strategy and operations for Turner's suite of digital businesses.
As head of Turner Sports beginning in 1999,Lazarus led the network's acquisition of the rights to the NBA, NASCAR, MLB playoffs, Wimbledon and the British Open, as well as the Internet rights to NASCAR.com, PGATOUR.com, and PGA.com.
Prior to joining Turner Broadcasting in 1990, Lazarus held positions with Backer Spielvogel Bates, Inc. and NBC Cable.
