George Bodenheimer's Net Worth and Career Achievements
George Bodenheimer is a renowned American businessman and media personality with an estimated net worth of $25 million. Born in 1958, Bodenheimer graduated from Denison University and began his career at ESPN as a clerk in the mailroom just 16 months after the network's inception. Over time, he advanced through various roles in sales, marketing, and research.
Leadership at ESPN and ABC Sports
In 1998, Bodenheimer was named President of ESPN Inc., and a few years later, he took on the additional role of President of ABC Sports. His leadership saw the launch of several ESPN satellite networks, including ESPNHD, ESPN Plus, ESPN PPV, ESPN3, ESPNU, and ESPN Deportes. Under his guidance, ESPN and ESPN2 expanded their reach to almost 100 million households.
Significant Contracts and Deals
Bodenheimer was instrumental in negotiating long-term contracts for ESPN, including key deals for broadcasting Monday Night Football and agreements with major sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB. He also established ties with several college conferences, including the SEC and the BCS.
Acknowledgements and Later Life
In 2008, Bodenheimer was honored by the "Sports Business Journal" as the most influential person in the sports business. His tenure as President concluded in 2012 when John Skipper took over the position, making Bodenheimer the Executive Chairman of ESPN. After a distinguished 33-year career, he left the company in May 2014 to dedicate his efforts to The V Foundation, which aims to cure cancer in memory of college basketball coach Jim Valvano.
