NEW YORK — ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, a devout New York Yankees fan raised in the suburbs of New York City, naturally favors the Yankees on the ESPN app. However, being a good Yankees fan, he also wants to keep tabs on their rival, the Boston Red Sox. The catch? To receive updates about the Red Sox, he would need to favorite them on the app.
“I actually want to see the Red Sox score right after the Yankees, because I care. The only way for me to get that personalized information is by favoriting the Boston Red Sox, which obviously I’m not going to do,” Pitaro shared with reporter Andrew Marchand during an event titled Off the Record, sponsored by WSC Sports. This dilemma has led ESPN to develop what they refer to as “rivals mode,” allowing users to select rivals instead of having to favorite a team, enabling them to maintain their loyalty.
“You will be able to pick your favorites and your rivals, so I would get my Red Sox score,” Pitaro explained. A significant milestone for Pitaro and ESPN this year is the long-awaited launch of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer platform, marking the first time ESPN will be accessible without a cable subscription. Pitaro clarified that there won’t be a standalone DTC app; the current app will be enhanced instead. Users can either authenticate through their pay-TV subscriptions or via the new DTC subscription.
“There’s a misconception in the industry that we are launching a new flagship app this fall,” he stated. “We are not. The app exists, it’s called ESPN, and it will be significantly enhanced. The idea is to fire it up, authenticate, or purchase ESPN direct-to-consumer.” ESPN is still determining both the name and pricing for the direct-to-consumer product. Pitaro predicted the ongoing secular decline of the pay TV bundle driving the push towards digital won’t slow anytime soon. At its peak in 2010, cable reached over 100 million homes; now that number has decreased by roughly 40 to 50 percent, and the decline continues.
“Look, I don’t have a crystal ball,” Pitaro remarked. “I don’t see it slowing down for the next couple of years. Could it level off at 35 or 40 million households? It could, because there’s value there… It’s challenging to have 15 different apps with usernames, passwords, and charges on your credit card.”
One new feature being introduced will allow users to catch up on missed games. If a viewer starts a game 45 minutes late, the catch-up option will provide a curated series of plays to bring them up to real-time action, similar to a feature on Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football. Additionally, WSC is working on developing a personalized SportsCenter within the enhanced app, echoing the customization options provided during Peacock’s Olympic coverage last year.
When asked about the long-discussed potential of ESPN acquiring NFL Network, Pitaro remained non-committal but appeared skeptical. “There’s not a huge opportunity to grow the portfolio,” he noted. “The real chance lies in enhancing the game presentation and related features, particularly with our burgeoning fantasy business and engagement.”
Regarding the Yankees’ upcoming season, Pitaro expressed optimism, despite concerns over a season-ending injury to pitcher Gerrit Cole. “By the time the playoffs roll around, Cole may not be back, but I think other pitchers will step up and (Giancarlo) Stanton will return. I am optimistic,” he stated.
