The NFL has hired a longtime television executive to punch up its flagging network.
Let’s just hope it’s more “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” than “Dawson’s Creek.”
According to the Wall Street Journal, the league has hired industry veteran Jordan Levin as its first chief content officer.
He’ll be responsible for developing content for the NFL Network, the league’s online platform and other properties, and will also oversee the Super Bowl halftime show.
Levin most recently worked at Xbox Studios, but Microsoft shut that division down five months later as part of widespread layoffs. He was former CEO of the WB Network, where he put the “Gilmore Girls” on TV on a regular basis.
“We have a deep bench of sports producers. We’re trying to supplement that with people who can think broader about content,” NFL executive vice president Brian Rolapp said.
Rolapp also said Levin will be given the chance develop new content including game shows and potentially scripted shows.
Maybe that’s what they’re going to do to replace “NFL AM,” which is on hiatus for the summer. Either that, or they’re going to come up with their own version of Playmakers. With perhaps a softer edge to the music.
