This June 13, 2013 file photo shows the Activision Blizzard Booth during the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
Tony Petitti is leaving Major League Baseball after 12 years to become president of sports and entertainment for the video game and esports company Activision Blizzard Inc. on Aug. 17.
Petitti was one of two deputy commissioners under baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, in charge of business and media. Dan Halem is deputy commissioner for baseball administration and chief legal officer.
Activision Blizzard said Monday that Petitti will report to CEO Bobby Kotick and will oversee esports, consumer products, and film and television.
A graduate of Haverford College, Petitti attended Harvard Law School. He worked for ABC and was executive vice president and executive producer at CBS Sports, then became responsible for the CBS College Sports Network, formerly CSTV. He was hired in April 2008 as president and chief executive officer of the MLB Network, set to launch the following Jan. 1.
As Manfred prepared to succeed Bud Selig as baseball commissioner, Petitti became MLB’s chief operating officer in December 2014. He was promoted to the deputy commissioner role three years later and was in charge of all content and revenue-related operations.
Formed in the 2008 merger of Activision and Vivendi Games, Activision Blizzard has properties including esports' Overwatch League and Call of Duty League.
U.S. Nissan head Jérémie Papin joins from the New York International Auto Show to give a preview of what’s to come from the carmaker – including the 2025 Nissan Kicks.
Ed Mitzen, the CEO of Business for Good, explains how and why he’s giving back by funding businesses from marginalized entrepreneurs to push social change.
Dana D’Auria, co-CIO at Envestnet, breaks down how she’s expecting markets to perform as ‘cracks’ from the rate hike cycle slowly filter into the economy.
A large cargo ship lost power and issued a mayday call moments before it struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday, though it was still moving toward the span at a rapid speed.
Candace Mitchell Harris discusses her path from computer scientist to founder of beauty tech tool MYAVANA – and how it uses A.I. to analyze each person’s unique haircare needs.
Michael Harris, NYSE global head of capital markets shares what to expect from IPOs in 2024, including A.I. excitement and why interest rate cuts are always helpful.
Lacy Garcia, Founder & CEO of Willow, shares why women, traditionally underserved by fintech, are looking for trust and a personal relationship from their financial advisor.
Alexander Reed, CFA and CIO for Envisage Wealth, breaks down why he thinks rates could stay higher for longer and why real estate, utilities, and regional banks are sectors to avoid.
Big brands that have relied on TikTok videos to reach younger consumers do not appear to be panicking as they wait to see what happens. But they have started planning.
