Monumental names Friday Abernethy GM of its RSN
Monumental Sports & Entertainment has named Friday Abernethy GM for NBC Sports Washington in the wake of its acquisition of the RSN from NBC Sports in August. Abernethy was most recently EVP/Content Distribution & Partnerships with Univision. TurnkeyZRG was the executive search firm used by MSE. Jackie Bradford had been running the RSN since late 2020. She will remain with NBCU, serving as President & GM for NBC4 Washington and Telemundo Washington.
One of Abernethy’s first projects will be a rebrand of NBC Sports Washington. MSE has retained D.C.-based brand experience agency HZ to assist in the effort. HZ has done previous work for the Wizards, as well as for brands like Volkswagen, Dollar General, Johnson & Johnson and others. NBC Sports Washington also will continue to partner with Playfly for national ad sales under MSE ownership (Playfly handled sales for the RSN under NBC ownership).
MSE is tapping tech solutions provider Diversified to design a new production facility near Capital One Arena in D.C. As tech partner for the effort, Diversified will provide all scenic, lighting, AV and broadcast and digital solutions at the new facility. Meanwhile, ViewLift, which provides OTT distribution solutions, will be the digital partner for MSE and design, integrate, develop and launch a new experience for fans across streaming devices. This new digital platform will eventually replace existing infrastructure provided by NBCU and Monumental Sports Network.
MSE President of Media & New Enterprises Zach Leonsis at last week’s CAA World Congress of Sports talked about what bringing the RSN under MSE ownership will mean going forward.
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