Alex Kay-Jelski has been confirmed as the new Director of BBC Sport to replace the outgoing Barbara Slater.
His tasks will include engagement with external organisations and rights holders, as well as to secure media rights deals with BBC Sport covering TV, audio and online broadcasting.
As the BBC is the UK’s public service broadcaster, supported by state taxpayer funding, Kay-Jelski will also champion the reach and public value of sport across the UK”.
“I am so excited to be joining BBC Sport in the summer and to have the chance to work with so many incredible people,” Kay-Jelski remarked.
“Like most people, so many of my sporting memories have been lived with the BBC there to guide me through and having the chance to shape what that should look like in the coming years is a brilliant challenge.
“I am emotional leaving The Athletic and all the wonderful people there. It means so much to me and I’m incredibly proud of all of them.”
In addition, Kay-Jelsk will also be responsible for coordinating and implementing the BBC’s editorial and creative strategy, leading teams across commissioning, production, digital and journalism byleveraging his experience as Editor of The Athletic.
The BBC is one of the most significant broadcasters in the British sporting ecosystem, alongside fellow free-to-air outlet ITV and subscription channels Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
Although Sky holds the lion share of rights to elite level football, by far the most popular sport in the UK, the BBC remains a significant player. The outlet still holds partial rights to the FA Cup and Women’s Super League (WSL), for example, the latter renewed yesterday.
Additionally, the BBC also covers prominent international tournaments such as football’s FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euros, the Rugby Union Six Nations and World Cup – shared with ITV – and the Olympics.
Commenting on Kay-Jelski’s appointment, BBC Chief Content officer, Charlotte Moore, said: “Alex is a dynamic and creative editorial leader who has a clear vision about how to take BBC Sport into the future.
“He joins us from the highly respected digital sports subscription service The Athletic, where he has been responsible for developing and growing the brand from scratch in the UK to become a leading force in the industry, and overseeing phenomenal growth.
“Alex has always embraced innovation. His editorial judgement and expert knowledge is impressive and he brings with him a wealth of experience in telling stories and delivering sports content to audiences in a digital world.
“Barbara Slater leaves BBC Sport in rude health with an incredible summer of sport ahead, and I’m looking forward to Alex leading us for the next generation of unrivalled sports broadcasting.”
