NBC Sports Has A New Executive Producer

Joining some illustrious names like Scotty Connal, Don Ohlmeyer, Michael Weisman and Terry O’Neil, Sam Flood becomes the 7th Executive Producer of NBC Sports. It was announced yesterday. Here’s the release from NBC Sports.

SAM FLOOD NAMED SEVENTH EXECUTIVE PRODUCER IN NBC SPORTS HISTORY

“NBC Olympics Production Group” Formed 

NEW YORK – June 15, 2010 – Sam Flood, Coordinating Producer, NBC Sports since 2005 has been named the seventh Executive Producer in NBC Sports history. Flood, who first began his career at NBC Sports as an Olympic researcher in 1986, begins his new role immediately and reports to Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics. Ebersol, who made the announcement, continues to serve as Executive Producer for all Olympics and NFL coverage.

“Sam has been a very successful producer here for years, but in the last nine months he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to steward and improve numerous properties,” said Ebersol. “He led our ‘Football Night in America’ transformation; superbly produced our daytime Olympic coverage with Al Michaels from Vancouver; and supervised NBC Sports’ unbelievably successful NHL coverage, including the Winter Classic and Stanley Cup Final.”

Flood succeeds David Neal, who served in the role since 2005 and departs NBC Universal Sports & Olympics to begin his own production company. NBC Sports hopes to be among Neal’s first clients. “I want to thank and richly applaud David Neal for his long and productive career here at NBC Sports and Olympics,” said Ebersol.

“For almost 30 years, NBC Sports has been my professional home. I’ve had an amazing time here and worked with the very best people – led by Dick Ebersol,” said Neal. “Along with all the terrific experiences I’ve enjoyed, I’ve also had a growing desire to someday return home to Southern California and enter the entertainment side of our business. Following the successful Olympics in Beijing and Vancouver, now is the perfect time to pass the Olympic torch. I have no doubt that NBC Sports will enjoy continued success under Dick’s visionary leadership.”

In addition to Flood’s promotion, NBC Sports announced today the formation of the “NBC Olympics Production Group,” which will be responsible for overseeing all production elements for the 2012 London Olympic Games. The group has collectively worked 54 Olympic Games and won 74 Emmys. Four of its members began their careers as Olympic Researchers. The group reports to Ebersol, who began his career as the first Olympic Researcher under legendary Roone Arledge at ABC in 1967. It consists of:

• Bucky Gunts, Head of Production, NBC Olympics – Day-to-day responsibilities include supervising all broadcast and cable production units; has directed every Olympic primetime program since 1996 and every Opening Ceremony since 2002, winning three Primetime Emmy Awards for Salt Lake, Athens, and Beijing, plus 20 Sports Emmys; he has been with NBC Sports since 1983 and has worked nine Olympic Games.

• Molly Solomon, Coordinating Producer, NBC Olympics — Is involved in every facet of Olympic production and planning, including program development, operational planning and the hiring and assigning of on-air talent and production staff; nine-time Emmy Award winner; with NBC since 1990 when she joined as an Olympic researcher; has worked eight Olympics.  

• Peter Diamond, Senior Vice President, Programming, NBC Olympics – Responsible for programming NBC’s coverage of the Olympic Games; 13-time Emmy Award-winner; has had two stints at NBC (1977-80; 1986-present), originally joining as an Olympic researcher for its coverage of the Moscow Games in 1980; has worked 14 Olympic Games, more than any broadcast-network executive in television history.

• Mark Levy, Vice President and Creative Director, NBC Sports & Olympics — In charge of on-air look and image of all NBC Sports and Olympic programming; 12-time Emmy Award winner; with NBC since 1994; has worked seven Olympics.

• Joe Gesue, Executive Editor, NBC Sports & Olympics — Oversees research, writing and editorial content for all Sports and Olympics programs, as well as the editorial direction of NBCSports.com and NBCOlympics.com; winner of five Emmys; joined NBC in 1994 as an Olympic researcher; has worked seven Olympics.

• Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports – Most recently served as producer for NBC’s Olympic daytime coverage; 15-time Emmy Award winner and three-time Eclipse Award winner; originally joined NBC as an Olympic researcher in 1986; has worked nine Olympics.

The group reports to Gary Zenkel, President, NBC Olympics, on all business-related matters.

The role of executive producer at NBC Sports began in 1970 and has included Neal (2005-10), Tommy Roy (1993-2004), Terry O’Neil (1989-93), Michael Weisman (1982-89), Don Ohlmeyer (1977-82) and Scotty Connal (1970-77).

That’s it.