Syracuse University hires ESPN executive as its new athletic director

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud today announced the school has selected John Wildhack, a Syracuse alumnus who has worked for ESPN for nearly 36 years, to be its next athletic director.

Syveurd, in a university news release, cited Wildhack’s “unique qualifications and his vast knowledge of and passion for Syracuse University athletics.”

Wildhack is a Buffalo native who graduated from Syracuse’s S.I Newhouse School of Public Communications in 1980. He went to work at ESPN as a production assistant shortly after graduation as the sports-cable network was just getting started. And he never left, rising up the ranks as a producer, programming director, and executive.

He currently serves as ESPN’s executive VP for programming and production, a role he’s held since January 2014. Wildhack reports directly to ESPN President John Skipper and is responsible for 50,000 hours of content annually, according to release.

Wildhack will start his appointment as Syracuse athletic director in mid-August, the school said.

 “John is an entrepreneurial, outside-the-box leader who brings an unparalleled set of skills and experiences to the director of athletics position,” Syverud said. “As a leader at ESPN, he has demonstrated a keen ability to identify and implement strategies aimed at elevating the entire organization. That record of success, combined with his extensive history of building and inspiring teams, will allow him to immediately and positively impact the lives of our student-athletes. This is a new day in the life of the Department of Athletics. I look forward to watching John, in collaboration with our talented coaches and staff, bring his bold vision for the department to life.”

While leading programming at ESPN, Wildhack helped increase live and original programming on ESPN and ESPN2, to close to 10,000 hours, according to his ESPN bio. Under his direction, ESPN2 became the fastest growing network of the 1990s. Wildhack was also directly involved in the renewal and expansion of many ESPN and ESPN2 programming contracts including those with the NFL, MLB, NBA, the Bowl Championship Series, NCAA, tennis’ four Grand Slam events and a variety of major college conferences, according to the bio.

Wildhack has been an active Syracuse University alumnus. He sits on the advisory board for the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics and was an honoree at the “Newhouse at 40” Gala, the university said.

Wildhack says his new job is beyond his dreams.

“To say this is a dream job would be a significant understatement,” Wildhack said in the Syracuse release. “Syracuse University played a profound role in my life’s trajectory and I’m confident I wouldn’t be where I am without the education and opportunities this institution afforded me. To help my alma mater, in particular Syracuse student-athletes, continue to excel and grow, especially in light of the enormous investments being made, and that have been made in its facilities, is a tremendous responsibility and one I don’t take lightly. I am honored to have been selected and I look forward to collaborating with the amazing coaches and staff as we work to develop the whole student-athlete — inside and outside the classroom.”

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com