ESPN Promotes Bornstein To New Chairman Post Network Pegs Bodenheimer To Replace Him As President. NEW YORK--ESPN named Steven Bornstein to the new position of chairman of the network and picked former mail room clerk George Bodenheimer to replace him as president. The 46-year-old Bornstein, who had been ESPN's president since September 1990, will remain president of ABC Sports. "Our business is becoming more complex and challenging. Restructuring now will allow me to spend more time on future growth opportunities. George is a bright and talented executive with a sharp understanding of ESPN and its many businesses," Bornstein said. Under Bornstein, ESPN has gone from primarily one network in 1990 to a conglomerate of 28 different sports networks worldwide (including cable, online and radio) and has entered new businesses and mediums - including ESPN The Magazine, the ESPN Zone restaurant and ESPN The Store. Robert A. Iger, president of ABC, said, "The connection between ESPN and sports fans is extraordinary, and its tremendous growth is evidence of that. Steve's vision and creativity has had much to do with that success, and the partnership he and George have developed over the years has also contributed." Bodenheimer, 40, has served as ESPN's executive vice president, sales and marketing since September 1996. Bodenheimer's focus will be on ESPN's domestic business. In addition to all of ESPN's marketing and sales functions, Bodenheimer will have additional responsibility for programming, production, operations and engineering "Steve has always stressed teamwork as the core of ESPN's work ethic, and I am privileged to work with the best team in our business," said Bodenheimer, who began his ESPN career in the mail room. Both Bornstein (January 1980) and Bodenheimer (January 1981) joined ESPN shortly after its launch in September 1979. Bodenheimer's accomplishments at ESPN include leading the launch of ESPN2, one of the most successful launches of a new network in the modern era of cable. The Deuce, which debuted in 10 million homes in October 1993, now reaches 61.2 million homes nationwide. ESPN is seen in more than 75 million homes. ESPN Inc. is 80 percent owned by ABC Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of the Walt Disney Co. The Hearst Corp. holds the remaining 20 percent interest in ESPN. By George Stahl

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