Snyder's Biggest Move?

It's not a player or coach, but this would seem to be a pretty major acquisition. Mark Shapiro is one of the most influential people in sports television.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117927337?categoryid=14&cs=1

ESPN may be about to lose head of programming Mark Shapiro to a big job with Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins.

Shapiro, exec VP of programming and production for ESPN, hasn't signed a contract yet with Snyder, but the New York gossip mills were churning with the news that Shapiro is serious about ankling the network.

It was unclear late Wednesday exactly what role Shapiro may play in the Snyder empire. In addition to owning the Redskins, the billionaire has a 9% stake in Six Flags, which controls 31 amusement parks.

Back in April 2004, Shapiro was on the short list to take over as president of entertainment for ESPN sister net ABC. But the nod went instead to Steve McPherson, then head of ABC sibling Touchstone TV.

Shapiro is one of the architects of ESPN and ESPN2's attempts to broaden the two networks by commissioning entertainment programming, such as made-formade-for-cable movies and two scripted dramatic series, "Playmakers" and "Tilt," neither of which lasted beyond its rookie season.

He's going to be the new mod at Extremeskins.

He's going to be the new mod at Extremeskins.

Im laughing, but you can't help but wonder what he's got cooking to lure in a big fish like that...:confused-

Maybe it will end up having nothing to do with the Redskins. It's a far out thought, or maybe not. But what if Snyder starts a network, Capital Sports, or something like that and buys the rights to air Wizards, Capitals, Nationals, college ball and puts Shapiro in charge of that?

Maybe it will end up having nothing to do with the Redskins. It's a far out thought, or maybe not. But what if Snyder starts a network, Capital Sports, or something like that and buys the rights to air Wizards, Capitals, Nationals, college ball and puts Shapiro in charge of that?


Wasn't he toying with the Idea after they started the Yankees network in NY?

That would be pure genius, but the initial capital investment would have to be huge, I think, to buy up all the rights. If he could, however, that would be great. It would even solve the Nats problem with the Orioles and broadcasting rights. The revenue stream from such a venture is ridiculous; just ask old Steinbrenner. Although it does seem kind of a waste to get all that revenue into an owner of a team in a league with a cap. Maybe they could cut Peter Angelos in on the deal and let the Birds benefit. That would be doubly great.

I guess some rumors have Shapiro helping Snyder launch a production company and gain a majority share in the Six Flags Theme Parks, which includes licensing rights to use Warner Bros. cartoon characters

And you know what that means! Space Jam 2 with Santana Moss!

Yeah on dcrtv.org the rumor is Synder is going to take control of Six Falgs and try to create a production company ala Disney with the theme parks providing the rights and, outreach and marketing. Seems just like a Danny ploy. I believe back in the day when he bought his share in Six Flags he did so with none other than Billy Bob Gates. They both were astounded at the bad management and I think Gates got out when he and Snyder tried to make some suggestions and they laughed them off. I think Snyder probably in his Snyder way got pissed and is now considering taking over the company hostily and having hits put out on the current BOD.

This is from August 18th's New York Times:

Also yesterday, Mark Shapiro, ESPN's executive vice president of programming and production since 2002, announced his resignation, effective Oct. 1, to be the chief executive of Red Zone LLC, a fledgling entertainment company created by Daniel M. Snyder, the principal owner of the Washington Redskins.

"This is probably the most bittersweet, emotional decision I'll probably make in my entire life," Shapiro, 35, said by telephone. "I flat out love this company and the people who work alongside me and for me. But this is an entrepreneurial opportunity I didn't want to pass up. The timing is right. The opportunity is right."

Bodenheimer said in an interview that he and Shapiro had discussed his future for the last few weeks, "but it was clear that he wanted to go after this opportunity and be let out of his contract."

As an ESPN producer, the brash, candid and sometimes abrasive Shapiro created the "SportsCentury" series, and as an executive, he pushed ESPN into producing films and dramatic series, immersed the network in poker and negotiated various TV deals with leagues and college conferences. Among Shapiro's last tasks will be to complete the extension of ESPN's contract to carry major league baseball on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

He is already involved in a Red Zone corporate battle. In documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, Red Zone said it intended to make an offer to Six Flags Inc. shareholders to increase its 11.7 percent stake in the theme park operator to 34.9 percent.

It is also seeking the removal of three Six Flags board members, including Kieran Burke, the chief executive and chairman of Six Flags Inc., and having him replaced by Shapiro as chief executive with Snyder as chairman. Snyder has feuded with Six Flags management during the past year.

Red Zone said it would not complete its $6.50 a share tender offer if Six Flags shareholders don't elect Shapiro, Snyder and Dwight Schar to the board.

"The parks are skewed to thrill rides and teenagers at the expense of families and young children," Shapiro said. "This is about building a family brand and stretching it out."

six flags at its height was trading at 23$ per share, snyder bought it at its low point (3.49$ a share) and now he's offering 6.5$ (current value is 5.5$ per share, up about 35% from the buy price).

I gues he figures if he can get enough shares its worth his time to try and push the stock/company up (and since its 25% of it maximum attained value, I guess he thinks he's got a pretty safe cushion to work with). Of course, the liscensing rights and control of the board could be worth the cost even without the parks.