MLB Deputy Commissioner Leaves to Head Activision Blizzard Esports

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.

More In Business

Why Americans Are Spending More on Hobbies Despite Economic Pressure

Joe Wadford, Economist at Bank of America, breaks down the hobby spending boom, “funflation” and why millennials and Gen Z spend differently.

Vanessa Hudgens’ Next Big Role? Building a Cactus Water Brand

Vanessa Hudgens and Oliver Trevena, co-founders of Caliwater, reveal why they’re betting on cactus water, the rise of healthy beverages and plans to grow bigger

Is The Stock Market Rally Running On Borrowed Time?

Adam Turnquist, Chief Cross-Asset Strategist at LPL Financial, breaks down why stocks remain near records despite higher oil prices, rates and Fed tightening.

Graco Turns 100: How Its Industrial Tech Is Powering the AI Boom

Graco CEO Mark Sheahan explains how the 100-year-old company is expanding into AI infrastructure, data centers and advanced manufacturing.

What Exactly Can Meta’s Muse Do And Where Should We Draw the Line?

Christopher Zara, News Director at Fast Company, explains what Meta’s Muse can actually do and whether its growing access to our lives goes too far.

The CLARITY Act Stalled: What Does It Mean For Crypto Investors?

Ryan Louvar, Chief Policy Officer and Head of Business and Legal Affairs, Digital Assets at WisdomTree, breaks down the CLARITY Act and crypto’s next phase.

Is Your Portfolio All Wrong? Peter Lazaroff On Building The “Perfect” Portfolio

Peter Lazaroff, author of The Perfect Portfolio and host of The Long-Term Investor Podcast, shares how investors can cut through market noise.

Big Business This Week: Where Is Smart Money Going In This Market?

The world is changing quickly, and asset managers are typing to stay ahead of the changes. But: Where is the smart money going in this market?

KFC Is Reinventing Itself: Inside the Bold New "Open House" Concept

KFC U.S. President Catherine Tan-Gillespie breaks down Open House, the new hospitality-first concept meant to reinvent the Colonel for today's consumers.

Chipotle’s International Expansion Heats Up

Chipotle’s Nate Lawton discusses its push into Asia, adapting its menu for new markets and plans to expand across the region.

Load More