Robin Roberts, John-Skipper, George Bodenheimer, Roger Goodell, Steve Swartz and Frank Bennack at last night’s book party for Bodenheimer’s memoir.
GMA’s Robin Roberts and Fox News’s Brian Kilmeade were among the TV newsers celebrating the publication of Every Town is a Sports Town, a memoir by former ESPN president George Bodenheimer. Frank A. Bennack, Jr., executive vice chairman of Hearst Corp., ESPN President John Skipper, and Hearst Corp. CEO Steven Swartz hosted the party at Hearst Tower last night.
Hired in 1981, Bodenheimer made $8,300 a year working in the mail room, and other odd jobs, including acting as the driver for legendary sportscaster Dick Vitale. 17 years later, he was Vitale’s — and everyone at ESPN’s — boss. Bodenheimer was president of ESPN until 2011 where he led he company through new ventures and new technologies. He helped broker carriage deals that would make ESPN the most valuable cable network on TV while transforming it into a multimedia giant.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, New York Giants linebacker Mark Herzlich, author Jim Miller, and ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen were among the media and sports figures attending last night’s party. Hearst Corporation is a co-owner of ESPN along with Disney.
All royalties will be donated to the V Foundation for Cancer Research.