ABC Television Network
BIOGRAPHY
HOWARD KATZ
President and Executive Producer
ABC Sports
Howard Katz was named president and executive producer, ABC Sports, on March 25, 1999, and served in that position until March 14, 2003.
During his first two months at ABC Sports, Mr. Katz spearheaded the effort that resulted in the renewal of the television rights to the Indianapolis 500 and Indy Racing League. He also was responsible for the acquisition of the television rights to the "Showdown at Sherwood," a golf match between Tiger Woods and David Duval, the first-ever network primetime golf telecast.
Mr. Katz started his career at ABC Sports as a production assistant (1971-74). His 28-year career in sports broadcasting has encompassed experience at ABC Sports, ESPN, OCC (formerly Ohlmeyer Communications) and Trans World International.
In his most recent position as executive vice president, production, ESPN, Mr. Katz oversaw all ESPN operations at the company's Bristol, Connecticut, world headquarters. This included all remote and studio productions for ESPN's domestic and international activities. It also included all of the company's engineering and technical operations. His responsibilities extended to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN Radio and ESPN International's 21 networks worldwide.
Mr. Katz joined ESPN in May, 1993, as senior vice president, production. He has had integral roles in the company's expansion, including the launch of ESPN2 and ESPNEWS, the ESPYs and the expansion of ESPN "SportsCenter" to a one-hour program. ESPN has received 34 Sports Emmy Awards and 27 CableACE Awards under his direction.
Before joining ESPN, Mr. Katz had been president and chief operating officer of Los Angeles-based OCC (formerly Ohlmeyer Communications). He worked at Trans World International in both New York and Los Angeles (1974-83) as vice president, responsible for TWI's television production and program development. He was at ABC Sports from 1971 to 1974.
ABC Sports is the home of ABC's NFL "Monday Night Football," the most successful primetime sports series in television history. This year, "Monday Night Football" will celebrate its 30th season with the Super Bowl in Atlanta.
ABC Sports is also the leader in college football, annually broadcasting the Bowl Championship Series. Among the other major properties on ABC Sports are: The World and U.S. Figure Skating Championships; PGA golf, including the British Open; horse racing's Triple Crown; and NASCAR, CART and Indy car racing, including the Indianapolis 500.
Mr. Katz earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Colgate University in 1971. He and his wife, Janet, have two children, Scott and Brett.