Skydance Names Its New Sports Leadership Team

Skydance's global sports group now has a full leadership line-up, with Craig Barry and Jeff Gerttula at the centre of it.

Barry has been named executive vice president and chief content officer, a senior job that oversees what the group produces. Gerttula has been named executive vice president and managing director of the sports unit. David Berson, chairman of Skydance's sports operations, unveiled the team on Thursday, according to Variety.

Barry reports to Berson. His responsibilities cover two areas: remote and live event production, which means covering live events from outside a main studio, and studio production, according to Sports Business Journal.

Gerttula will oversee digital, international, strategy and business development for Skydance sports. Business development is the work of striking partnerships and deals that grow a company's reach. His remit spans the group's online operations, its work outside the United States, and its long-term plans.

The two roles split the job along clear lines. One executive shapes what gets made and how it gets filmed on the day. The other looks after where the group operates, how it reaches audiences and how it grows.

For viewers, nothing on screen changes because of these appointments alone. What changes is who is accountable for each part of the operation. Skydance's sports group is now built around a named chain of command, from Berson down through Barry and Gerttula.