YouTube hires longtime Disney exec to head up live sports

As YouTube prepares to air an exclusive NFL opening week game for free on September 5th, it’s hiring former Disney exec Justin Connolly. He’d most recently been running the streaming services and linear media networks, and will take over as YouTube’s new global head of media and sports, as first reported by Bloomberg, and confirmed by YouTube spokesperson Andrea Faville.

After spending more than 20 years at Disney and ESPN, he’ll be managing YouTube’s relationship with the media companies that distribute content on YouTube TV, as well as leading its live sports coverage. Connolly left Disney last week, just months before the launch of its standalone ESPN streaming service this fall.