SBJ: MAXX Signs Amy Trask, Former Raiders CEO
By John Ourand
Former Oakland Raiders front-office executive Amy Trask is shopping for an on-air TV gig.
Trask hired an agent, Maxx Sports & Entertainment President Mark Lepselter, who has contacted the NFL’s network partners on behalf of the former executive.
“We’ve started the process,” said Lepselter, who counts Donovan McNabb, Rodney Harrison and Mike Pereira among his broadcasting clients. “There is no one who would have the perspective of Amy Trask in the NFL broadcasting business.”
Several network sources acknowledge the contact but say talks are still early. Trask still would have to go through an audition process before any decisions are made, they say.
Trask’s potential move to TV would continue a trend of sports networks hiring former NFL front-office executives. ESPN hired former Colts executive Bill Polian last year, and NBC hired former Chiefs executive Scott Pioli in June to appear on its pregame show, “Football Night in America.” NFL Network hired former Redskins and Texans executive Charley Casserly to be on its studio shows, and he also has worked for CBS.
Trask, though, would be better versed on the business side than other front-office executives who are solely focused on player personnel. ESPN, for example, uses Andrew Brandt in this role.
“There’s no question that front-office executives are entering the broadcast industry,” Lepselter said. “It’s an area that’s beginning to get tapped into.”
Trask resigned as the team’s president in May after 26 years with the franchise. She wore many hats with the team, most recently focused on improving the in-stadium fan experience and making Oakland home games more family friendly.
Trask became the NFL’s first female front-office executive when she was hired in 1987. She hopes to blaze a similar trail in sports TV.
“If Amy has the on-air ‘it’ factor, she could legitimately be a game changer,” Lepselter said. “There’s not a retired former female executive talking NFL at any of the networks.”
[SBJ & SF Chronicle]