The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) has announced that George Bodenheimer, former ESPN President, CEO and Executive Chairman, member of the Denison University class of 1980 and Denison Trustee, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Sports at the 36th annual Sports Emmy® Awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 5, at the at Lincoln Center in New York City.
“Working his way up from the mailroom, George Bodenheimer became its longest-tenured President while leading ESPN to an unprecedented period of global growth,” said Bob Mauro, president of NATAS. “His guiding hand in a multiplicity of new networks and platforms has made ESPN synonymous with sports content ‘anytime and anywhere.’ The National Academy is delighted to bestow this well-deserved honor to him.”
“What I admire most about George are his professional success and the humor and humility he brings into every room,” said Denison University President Adam Weinberg. “George not only does great work, but he elevates everybody around him. His career is a true Denison liberal arts success story.”
Bodenheimer graduated Denison University with a degree in economics. In 1981 he joined the fledgling ESPN as a driver in the mailroom and rose to become a cable industry pioneer and the company’s longest-tenured president (13 years from 1998 to 2011). In addition, Bodenheimer was the president of ABC Sports and co-chair of Disney Media Networks. He was named by Sporting News as its “Most Powerful Person in Sports,” Sports Business Journal named him “Sports Executive of the Year” and he was honored with the “Distinguished American Award” from the National Football Foundation.
Consistent and substantive growth defined Bodenheimer’s tenure as president, leading to unprecedented success. His leadership style was simple but effective: empower all employees to proactively take charge of their careers and base decisions on the company’s stated mission: “Serve Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.”
During Bodenheimer’s time as president, ESPN doubled its number of domestic television networks to eight; increased to nearly 100 million households from 75 million for ESPN and from 62 million for ESPN2; more than doubled the number international television networks to 48; created 18 web new sites, from one; and increased the number of global employees from 1,900 to 7,000 worldwide.
Bodenheimer’s leadership has been recognized throughout the industry. In April 2005, he received a Vanguard Award, the industry’s highest honor, from the National Cable & Telecommunications Association. In 2008, he was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame for his leadership, innovation and contributions to the cable industry and his community. In December 2012, he was honored twice with the Distinguished American Award from The National Football Foundation and induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
NATAS is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime Entertainment, Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public & Community Service, and Technology & Engineering.