Schanzer retires at NBC Sports

Another one is gone at NBC Sports....

KEN SCHANZER, NBC SPORTS PRESIDENT, RETIRES AFTER THREE DECADES AT NETWORK

NEW YORK – May 26, 2011 – Longtime NBC Sports executive Ken Schanzer announced his retirement today after three decades at the network, including the last 13 years as president of the sports division. At the request of the company, Schanzer will stay on through the end of the summer.

A respected executive and negotiator, Schanzer was integral in the NBC Sports Group’s recent efforts to reassemble horse racing’s Triple Crown and its landmark 10-year NHL agreement. Throughout his career, he also played a vital role in managing NBC Sports’ partnerships with Notre Dame, the PGA TOUR and the NFL. Schanzer has led the day-to-day operations of NBC Sports since being named the division’s president in June, 1998.

“It has been the greatest privilege of my professional career to have contributed to the growth of NBC Sports and to have worked with so many prodigious people,” said Schanzer. “It’s comforting to know that when I leave at the end of the summer, the NBC Sports Group will be in the hands of Mark Lazarus and all the talented people here who have meant so much to me throughout my career.”

“Ken, who I have known for 15 years, has been one of the most respected and influential sports-television executives of the past three decades and is a major reason that the NBC Sports Group is so well positioned for the future,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “I am pleased that he will remain through the summer as I will regularly seek his counsel as I transition into my new role.”

“Ken has had an impressive career here and I am incredibly appreciative of all he has done to build NBC Sports into the formidable brand that it is today,” said Steve Burke, CEO, NBCUniversal. “I wish him all the best in his retirement.”