NBC Sports Group has promoted senior executive Damon Phillips to the newly-created position of senior vice president of strategic initiatives and head of diversity and inclusion.
Phillips previously served as senior vice-president and general manager of regional sports network NBC Sports Washington since January 2018.
In his new role, Phillips will lead key strategic and content initiatives across NBC Sports and its collection of platforms and assets, and will serve as NBC Sports’ day-to-day content leader on the NBC Sports Channel on streaming service Peacock to increase audience growth and engagement.
In addition, he will oversee NBC Sports Group’s diversity and inclusion efforts in a newly created leadership role dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the full NBC Sports portfolio.
He will report to NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua, himself now operating in an elevate role.
“I’m grateful for the trust placed in me by Pete and the Sports Group leadership team,” said Phillips. “I look forward to putting my own stamp on this newly created role, and to work across the full NBC Sports portfolio. I have enjoyed my experience in DC, and am going to miss my NBC Sports Washington colleagues.”
Under Phillips’ leadership at NBC Sports Washington, the network became an innovator in sports betting, esports and digital media, and expanded its media rights.
NBC Sports Washington developed the National Football League’s and National Basketball Association’s first live predictive-gaming telecasts; became the first domestic network to present NBA, National Hockey League and Women’s National Basketball Association video-game simulations; and presented live NBA 2K League matches.
