1. David Rone
1. David Rone
President, TWC Sports
Years in Cable: 12
Education: BA, Economics, Tufts; JD, Northwestern
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Be passionate and honor your relationships.
Our top regional exec for 2011 had to be former co-head of CAA David Rone, who Time Warner Cable brought on in May to beef up its regional sports muscle. And his flexing, in this newly created position, has been most impressive. In February, the MSO finessed the TV rights for L.A. Lakers games away from Fox. And, there’s talk of TWC buying rights to the Dodgers as well. Add to that the 10-year deal Rone solidified with the L.A. Galaxy in November, the two new Lakers-focused RSNs set to launch next year and the MSO’s prominent role in the Pac-12 networks. Expect TWC to expand its high school market, too. “High school is so hyper-local, it really lines up for cable operators,” Rone said at this year’s SBJ Sports, Media & Technology conference. Let the games begin.