In a surprising move inside the boxing industry, Ken Hershman who ran Showtime sports will take over just a few blocks up the road at HBO replacing Ross Greenburg.
“Richard [Plepler, HBO co-president] and I believe that Ken is a perfect fit for HBO Sports,” HBO co-president Michael Lombardo said in a statement announcing Hershman’s hiring. “He has a deep and thorough understanding of the sport of boxing and that background will be invaluable as he transitions to his role at HBO. Ken has demonstrated a capacity to think outside the box, and the combination of his experience and reputation make him the ideal executive addition to HBO’s already stellar sports department.”
“Working at Showtime was an amazing experience, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have developed countless friendships and relationships across the organization,” Hershman said in a statement. “While I am sure that I will miss them all, I am excited by the opportunity to join the team at HBO and contribute to one of television’s most dynamic companies.”
“I think Ken Hershman is a very accomplished executive,” said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who has done regular business with HBO for years but also has worked with Hershman on fights he delivered to Showtime. “I think he’s done a fantastic job at Showtime and I have the highest regards for him.”
