Bob Bowman, president of business and media at North America’s Major League Baseball, is to step down from the role when his contract expires next month.
Bowman (pictured) helped steer the rapid expansion of BAMTech, the video technology business of MLB Advanced Media, which is the league’s interactive media and internet subsidiary.
Bowman stepped down from a leadership role at BAMTech in December 2016 and the 62-year-old has now informed MLB commissioner Robert Manfred that he will not be seeking to renew his contract with the league. Michael Paull replaced Bowman as chief executive of BAMTech in February.
In August, the Walt Disney Company agreed to acquire a majority shareholding in BAMTech. The $1.58bn (€1.36bn) deal saw Disney acquire an additional 42 per cent of BAMTech from MLBAM after the company took up the option to accelerate its acquisition of a controlling stake.
“With the recent completion of the sale of a majority stake in BAMTech to the Walt Disney Company, and recognising the enormous talent pool that exists at MLB and MLB.com, it is an ideal time for new leadership,” Bowman said. “Of all that we have accomplished, I am most proud of the people I have worked with, many of whom have been with me each step of the way over the past 17 years.
"I want to especially thank commissioner Manfred for his leadership and support. He has made MLB the most partner-friendly league, expanded the game by solving in-market streaming and pushed for RSN distribution on VMVPDs (virtual multichannel video programming distributors). He had the courage to invest in BAMTech and has overseen substantial revenue distribution to the clubs. I am forever in his and this great game's debt."
Bowman was MLBAM’s first and only chief executive and began his MLB career in 2000. He helped create the MLB.tv live streaming service and the At Bat sports app before playing a significant role in the launch and subsequent success of BAMTech.