Eric Shanks

Eric Shanks is Chief Executive Officer and Executive Producer of FOX Sports. Mr. Shanks oversees all entities within FOX Sports, including the sports television arm of the FOX Network; FS1, FS2; FOX Soccer Plus; FOX Deportes; FOX College Sports and FOX Sports Digital.

As Executive Producer of all FOX Sports productions, Mr. Shanks is responsible for the look, sound, editorial content and superior quality of FOX Sports’ studio and game broadcasts. Named to the position in June 2010 at age 38, he is believed to be the youngest executive to lead a broadcast network sports division ever.

Initially joining FOX Sports in 1994 as a broadcast associate, Mr. Shanks’ appointment is the very definition of the American corporate success story. A multiple Emmy Award-winner and a member of the Sports Business Journal’s prestigious “40 Under 40” Hall of Fame, Mr. Shanks assumes the day-to-day responsibilities of the FOX Sports broadcast network. He oversees programming, production, field and studio operations, marketing, promotion, communications, business and legal affairs for America’s top-rated network sports. Mr. Shanks also directs all aspects of FOX Sports’ television investments and partnerships. In addition, Mr. Shanks spearheads the division’s strategy of pursuing major event programming to ensure FOX Sports’ position as a premier network sports broadcaster.

Mr. Shanks served as executive vice president for entertainment for DIRECTV from 2004-2010, overseeing business activities related to the development of DIRECTV’s original entertainment, advanced products and advertising sales. In addition, he was responsible for the DIRECTV Sports Networks business unit comprised of regional sports networks in Seattle, Denver and Pittsburgh. In that role, Mr. Shanks developed innovative content and services that were compelling and distinct. His advances include the launch of DIRECTV on DEMAND; The 101 Network, which among other programs, features the Dan Patrick Show; DIRECTV’s exclusive NASCAR package; the creation of the NFL RedZone feature to DIRECTV’s exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET package and its 3D programming initiative; and created the partnership between DIRECTV and Augusta National for the multiscreen coverage of The Masters.

In 2006, Mr. Shanks formed DIRECTV’s first in-house advertising sales team. He originally joined DIRECTV in 2004 from FOX as senior vice president of Advanced Services and Content, responsible for business activities related to the development of DIRECTV receivers and advanced services such as digital video recording, interactive television and high-definition television.

Prior to joining DIRECTV, Mr. Shanks served as a producer at FOX Sports and as vice president of Enhanced Programming for FOX Television Networks. Mr. Shanks also served as Executive Producer of Sky Sports 1 & 2 where he launched Sky TV’s soccer coverage in Italy. His accomplishments there include producing NFL Europe coverage and FSN’s THE BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD, in addition to launching Sky Sports 1 and 2 for the Sky Italia platform in Italy.

Mr. Shanks originally joined FOX Sports in 1994, the network’s inaugural NFL season. He also served on production crews for FOX Sports’ coverage of the NHL and MLB. Mr. Shanks helped develop the FOXTrax “glowing puck” and yellow first-down line that is a staple of today’s televised football coverage. He began his sports television career as a broadcast associate at CBS Sports in 1993.

An Indiana native, Mr. Shanks resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Brenda, daughter Maisie and sons, Jack and David.