DICK EBERSOL
Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics

On April 27, 2009, the six “Commissioners of American Sport” – Roger Goodell (NFL), David Stern (NBA), Bud Selig (MLB), Gary Bettman (NHL), Tim Finchem (PGA Tour) and Brian France (NASCAR) – were part of an unprecedented presentation that concluded with Muhammad Ali awarding Dick Ebersol the prestigious Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

It was a fitting tribute to a producer and executive who Fortune Magazine said “has practically done it all in a storied TV career.” Known for his ability to amass large television audiences, Ebersol has produced eight of the top 10 most-watched television events in U.S. history.

Over more than three decades in television, Ebersol stands alone as an executive who has played a prominent role in the wide-ranging fields of sports, entertainment and news by possessing the rare combination of a producer’s creative vision, a CEO’s business acumen and a partner’s genuine desire for cooperation.

Ebersol’s crowning achievement has been establishing NBC Universal as the home of the Olympic Games. Beginning in 1967, when he temporarily dropped out of Yale University to join Roone Arledge and ABC Sports as television’s first-ever Olympic researcher, his passion has been the Olympics. In 1989, Ebersol returned to NBC as president of NBC Sports. He served as executive producer for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, his first Olympics since Munich in 1972 for ABC, and then began an unprecedented run of Olympic rights agreements that established NBC as “America’s Olympic Network.”

In 1993, he secured the rights to the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. In August of 1995, he acquired the rights for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. It marked the first time that rights for consecutive Olympics were awarded at the same time. Later that same year, he was the driving force behind NBC Sports' bold and historic acquisition of the exclusive media rights for the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, and the 2006 Winter Olympics. The agreements marked the first time that the same network had been awarded the rights to five consecutive Olympics. In 2003, Ebersol led NBC to acquire the exclusive U.S. media rights to the 2010 Winter Games and the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Ebersol’s career is unique, in part, because of its diversity. In addition to his sports prowess, Ebersol, along with Lorne Michaels, whom he hired, conceived and created “Saturday Night Live.” As an independent producer, he created iconic, Emmy Award-winning programs such as “Friday Night Videos” and “Later with Bob Costas.” Ebersol even served as senior vice president of NBC News.

Recognition for Ebersol’s accomplishments can be measured, in part, by the prestigious honors and awards he has won. He is regularly among the top 10 honorees on The Sporting News' annual list of the 100 most powerful sports figures, including in 1996 when he was named the Most Powerful Person in Sports. In 1992, Ebersol was awarded the Olympic Order, an honor periodically bestowed by the International Olympic Committee to recognize remarkable contributions to the Olympic Movement. In 2005, Ebersol was inducted into both the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. In 2008, NBC won the Peabody Award for its coverage of the Beijing Opening Ceremony along with famed Chinese film director Zhang Yimou, who served as the event’s creative director. At the SportsBusiness Journal’s 2009 Sports Business Awards, Ebersol won Sports Executive of the Year and NBC Sports won Best in Sports Television.

Ebersol has led NBC Sports for 20 years. On May 1, 1989, he was named president of the division and was promoted to Chairman, NBC Sports & Olympics in June 1998. In December 2003, Ebersol agreed to a nine-year contract to continue running NBC Sports & Olympics through 2012. He assumed his current title as Chairman of NBC Universal Sports & Olympics in May 2004 when NBC and Universal merged.

Under Ebersol’s leadership, NBC Sports has become synonymous with superior production that elevates the event, broad promotion and mutually-beneficial partnerships. He recently produced three milestone television events: the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 became the most-watched event in U.S. television history with a record 215 million viewers; the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games in 2010 were the second-most watched Winter Olympics in history with 190 million viewers, trailing only the tabloid-fueled Lillehammer Games in 1994; and Super Bowl XLIII in February 2009 produced, at the time, the largest-single audience in U.S. television history with a record 152 million viewers. It is currently the second-most viewed program of all time.

The Super Bowl milestone was made possible in 2005 when Ebersol spearheaded the effort to return the NFL to NBC by negotiating an innovative six-year agreement that included moving the all-important NFL primetime broadcast package from Monday night to Sunday night, flexible scheduling for the first time ever, and Super Bowls in 2009 and 2012.

Ebersol’s early tenure at NBC Sports was highlighted by a spectacular string of sports-property acquisitions and renewals, including the NFL, NBA, Notre Dame football and MLB, through the formation of the joint-venture Baseball Network.

During the 1995-96 television season, for the only time in history, the World Series, Super Bowl, NBA Finals and Summer Olympics were telecast by the same network. It was following this run in 1996 that The Sporting News named him the Most Powerful Person in Sports. By January 1998, NBC had been the home of four Super Bowls in six years, another unprecedented stretch.

Interspersed with his unparalleled sports accomplishments is Ebersol’s career in entertainment television. In 1974, he joined NBC as Director of Weekend Late Night Programming. It was in 1975 that Ebersol and Michaels conceived and developed “Saturday Night Live,” the groundbreaking comedy showcase that revolutionized the genre. Named Vice President, Late Night Programming at age 28, Ebersol became NBC's first-ever vice president under the age of 30. After a brief departure, Ebersol returned to "SNL" in 1981 as executive producer and remained until 1985, spanning the Eddie Murphy and Billy Crystal eras.

In 1983, he formed No Sleep Productions, a highly successful independent production company that created Emmy Award-winning NBC shows “Friday Night Videos” and “Later with Bob Costas,” and together with Vince McMahon, “Saturday Night’s Main Event.”

When Ebersol left “SNL” in 1985, he devoted his time to his production company until rejoining NBC in 1989.

Dick Ebersol’s Career Chronology

In 1967, Ebersol temporarily dropped out of Yale University to join Roone Arledge and ABC Sports as television’s first-ever Olympic researcher.

In 1968 and 1972, he worked as a producer for ABC Sports at the 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics, the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, and 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

In 1974, after six years at ABC Sports – including stints as Roone Arledge's executive assistant and as a producer on “Wide World of Sports” and at the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics – Ebersol joined NBC as Director of Weekend Late Night Programming.

In 1975, he hired independent producer Lorne Michaels and together they conceived and developed “Saturday Night Live,” the groundbreaking comedy showcase that revolutionized the genre. Named Vice President, Late Night Programming at age 28, Ebersol became NBC's first- ever vice president under the age of 30.

In 1977, Ebersol was named NBC’s Vice President of Comedy, Variety & Event Programming.

In 1981, after a brief departure, he returned to "SNL" as executive producer and remained there until 1985, spanning the Eddie Murphy and Billy Crystal eras.

In 1983, Ebersol formed No Sleep Productions, a highly successful independent production company that created Emmy Award-winning NBC shows “Friday Night Videos” and “Later with Bob Costas,” and together with Vince McMahon, “Saturday Night’s Main Event.” When Ebersol left “SNL” in 1985, he devoted his time to his production company.

In 1985, Ebersol began a 25-year professional relationship with Bob Costas when Costas appeared on “Friday Night Videos” as a guest host. Under Ebersol’s leadership, Costas, a 20-time Emmy Award winner, has become one of the most respected and honored broadcasters of his generation.

On May 1, 1989, Ebersol returned to NBC as president of NBC Sports to undertake the challenge of rebuilding the division. He began NBC Sports' turnaround when he spearheaded the network's 1989 acquisition of the broadcast rights for the National Basketball Association. He oversaw the details of the agreement that was universally regarded at the time as the model relationship for both league and broadcaster.

Under Ebersol’s leadership, the 12-year run of the “NBA on NBC” was marked by unsurpassed record ratings, primetime telecasts and innovations which extended the relationship between the NBA and NBC beyond game telecasts and into areas that included entertainment programming, licensing, revenue sharing, interactive media and grass roots basketball development.

From 1989-91, Ebersol held the title of Senior Vice President, NBC News.

The summer of 1992 marked Ebersol’s first-ever assignment as executive producer for an Olympic Games when Barcelona hosted the Summer Olympics. It was the first of eight such assignments that has included five Summer Games and three Winter Games. Ebersol revolutionized Olympics consumption by significantly increasing coverage of all Olympic sports, the number of hours, utilizing all platforms within  the NBC and NBC Universal families, and introducing robust digital content. Ebersol’s eighth and ninth Olympics as executive producer will take place in 2010 in Vancouver and 2012 in London.

The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games were highlighted by the tremendous performances of the USA's athletes, including the coronation of the men’s basketball “Dream Team.” NBC produced 161 hours of Olympic coverage, with primetime exposure accounting for 74 hours. In addition, NBC presented 30 hours of weekday coverage, 21 hours in late night, and 36 hours of weekend morning and afternoon coverage.

From April 1993 through January 1994, Ebersol orchestrated an unprecedented run of NBC Sports acquisitions, including: renewing agreements with the NFL, NBA and Notre Dame football; acquiring the rights to the 1994, ’96 and ‘98 Super Bowls and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics; and bringing Major League Baseball back to NBC through the formation of the joint-venture Baseball Network.

In June 1994, Ebersol drove the network acquisition of the USGA championships, which are highlighted by the U.S. Open, one of golf’s four major championships.

In August 1995, Ebersol was the architect of another NBC Olympic deal, acquiring the rights for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. It marked the first time that rights for consecutive Olympics were awarded at the same time.

In December 1995, Ebersol was the driving force behind NBC Sports' bold and historic acquisition of the exclusive broadcast and cable rights for the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, and the 2006 Winter Olympics. The agreement marked the first time that the same network had been awarded the rights to five consecutive Olympics and the first time that rights had been awarded before the host cities were announced.

In 1995-96, for the only time in history, the World Series, Super Bowl, NBA Finals and Summer Olympics were telecast by the same network. Likewise, by January 1998, NBC had been the home of four Super Bowls in six years, another unprecedented stretch.

The 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games attracted more viewers than any other event in television history with 209 million viewers in 17 days, a record that stood for 12 years and one that many thought would never be broken. It surpassed the 204 million viewers for the tabloid-fueled 1994 Olympic Winter Games from Lillehammer. NBC Sports won 10 Emmy Awards for its work from Atlanta.

In January 1998, Ebersol’s passion for sports took a backseat to his stewardship of the resources of NBC and its parent company, General Electric, when NBC Sports walked away from the NFL. Firmly committed to fiscal responsibility, NBC Sports would make similar decisions to back away from the bargaining table with Major League Baseball in September 2000 and the NBA in December 2001.

In June 1998, Ebersol was appointed Chairman, NBC Sports & Olympics.

The 2000 Sydney Olympic Games produced a then-unprecedented 441.5 hours of taped coverage on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC and attracted a total of 185 million unique viewers over 17 days. NBC won the primetime ratings battle each of the 17 nights of the Olympics, winning 103 out of 106 half hours and many nights by triple-digit margins. NBC’s coverage garnered 10 Emmy Awards, and surpassed all advertising and revenue expectations, posting a profit north of $50 million.

The 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games on NBC won a record 17 Emmy Awards (including six primetime Emmys for Opening Ceremony coverage)  attracted 187 million unique viewers – an average of 61 million viewers each night during primetime, making Salt Lake the most-viewed U.S. Winter Games ever.

At the 2003 Michael S. Modell Awards Dinner, Ebersol was presented with the prestigious Dick Schaap Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports.

In June 2003, NBC paid $2 billion for the exclusive U.S. media rights to the 2010 Winter Games ($820 million) and the 2012 Summer Olympics ($1.181 billion).

In December 2003, Ebersol agreed to a nine-year contract to continue running NBC Sports & Olympics through 2012. “Dick Ebersol is clearly one of the most talented executives and producers in this business,” said then-GE Vice Chairman and NBC Universal Chairman and CEO Bob Wright when Ebersol renewed his contract. “His guidance over the years has been invaluable to me personally and to every division of the company, and we look forward to continuing to benefit from his experience and leadership. In particular, no one has done more than Dick to build the Olympics into the most valuable franchise in television.”

In May of 2004, NBC Universal was formed through the merger of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment and Ebersol oversaw the seamless merger of NBC Universal’s sports properties through the combined assets of USA Network and NBC Sports.
 
The 2004 Athens Olympic Games included 1,210 hours of coverage, 24 hours a day and was watched by 203 million viewers on the networks of NBC Universal. The 1,210 hours – more than the last five Summer Games combined – represented an average of more than 70 hours per day and allowed NBC for the first time in U.S. television history to provide some coverage of all 28 Summer Olympic sports. Through Telemundo, Athens marked the first-ever Spanish language broadcast of the Olympics in U.S history.

In 2005, Ebersol was the driving force behind returning the NFL to NBC Sports, negotiating the six-year agreement, which included innovative flexible scheduling and Super Bowls in 2009 and 2012. The agreement also included “Football Night in America," NBC’s studio show that kicks off its coverage each Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

As executive producer Ebersol assembled, according to the St. Pete Times, a “dream team” for “NBC Sunday Night Football.” He began by enticing the sport’s top broadcasting team, John Madden and Al Michaels, from Monday Night Football.

Madden, the most honored NFL broadcaster of all time with 16 Emmy Awards and renowned by football fans nationwide for his ability to analyze the details of the game with wit, candor and an inimitable style, served as Sunday Night Football analyst from 2006-2008 and was joined in the booth by Michaels, whom A.P. described as “TV’s best play-by-play announcer.”

Madden retired from broadcasting prior to the 2009 NFL season leaving a vacancy in the booth with Michaels. Ebersol immediately implemented the succession plan he put in place in 2006 by promoting 10-time Emmy Award-winner Cris Collinsworth, who had served as studio analyst for Football Night in America.

The 2006 Torino Olympic Winter Games on NBC was seen by 184 million viewers and won three consecutive weeks in primetime in households and viewers for the first time in 18 months, earned a profit of nearly $70 million for NBC Universal, and won three Emmy Awards.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games were, according to ESPN, “The greatest TV many Americans have ever witnessed.” From the dazzling Opening Ceremony to Michael Phelps’ eight gold medals to Usain Bolt’s world records, the Beijing Games captivated America and became the most-watched television event in U.S. history with 215 million viewers, eclipsing the 209 million of the 1996 Atlanta Games. The 3,600 hours of coverage were more than all previously televised Summer Olympics combined. NBC garnered six sports Emmy Awards, three primetime Emmy Awards and the prestigious Peabody Award for its coverage. NBCOlympics.com more than doubled the combined totals for the Athens and Torino Games in page views and unique users, while increasing video streaming.

On February 1, 2009, Super Bowl XLIII between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers became the most-watched television program in U.S. history with 151.6 million viewers. The Tampa Tribune said, “NBC had the best Super Bowl broadcast ever.”

On April 27, 2009, the six “Commissioners of American Sport” – Roger Goodell (NFL), David Stern (NBA), Bud Selig (MLB), Gary Bettman (NHL), Tim Finchem (PGA Tour), and Brian France (NASCAR) – were part of an unprecedented presentation that concluded with Muhammad Ali awarding Ebersol the prestigious Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

In May of 2009 at the SportsBusiness Journal’s 2009 Sports Business Awards, Ebersol won Sports Executive of the Year and NBC Sports won Best in Sports Television. Also in 2009, he won the Industry Leader Award from the Women’s Sports Foundation.

In August 2009, Ebersol led NBC to extend its agreement with the NFL for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

In February 2010, the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games were viewed by 190 million people, making it the second-most viewed Winter Olympics in US history behind only the tabloid-fuelled Lillehammer Games in 1994. The Washington Post called it “the greatest show on snow. And the television version has been so satisfying – visually, emotionally, aesthetically – that, for the moment, the national pall imposed by the recession, and by the generally shabby state of public affairs, seems to have been lifted.”

In recent years, NBC’s agreements with the USGA, PGA Tour, Ryder Cup, Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Notre Dame football, French Open and Wimbledon have all been renewed.

April 2010