During his time in Warner Bros. Discovery’s Turner Sports division, Will Funk helped “The Match,” a new celebrity golf tournament, and managed ad sales for March Madness, one of the nation’s top sporting events. Now, he hopes to try something new.
Funk, one of the most influential sports-media executives in the industry, left Turner to take on the role as president of Range Sports, the new athletic division of Range Media Partners, a talent management startup that launched last year at the founder. and CAA alumni Peter Micelli. The company counted Steven A. Cohen’s Point72 private-equity firm and A + E Networks as investors.
“We have had the pleasure of working with Will on various projects over the years, and each time, understand why he is one of the most respected minds in the world of IP Sports,” said Jack Whigham, co-founding partner at Range. . “The creativity, class and execution that he brings to the job is what we aspire to.”
Warner Bros. Discovery declined to make executives available for comment.
Funk leaves as Warner Bros. Discovery is scrutinizing its ad-sales staff, with many staffers on the Warner side of the house growing concerned about layoffs and buyouts. But Funk has left on his own terms, sources say, and is eager to try his hand at advising Range Media clients on media-rights management as well as production and content management. He is also expected to keep his hand in the world where he lives in Turner, is the brand sponsor. Range Sports hopes to represent leagues and sports venues for name rights, sponsorship and other brand integration opportunities. Funk will also consult with marketers on sports strategy and investment, and in collaboration with Point72 Ventures, Range Sports will provide resources for the incubation and growth of consumer sports businesses. Range Sports also hopes to represent current and past athletes, on -air broadcast talent and coaches who focus on marketing, TV / film, broadcast and support.
Funk, who joined Turner Sports in 2002 after logging stints in the NBA and Madison Square Garden, has helped manage the resale process of some of the sport’s most popular properties, including “NBA on TNT” and “MLB on TBS” as well as the March Madness Men’s Basketball Tournament. the Warner Bros. Discovery shares the rights with Paramount Global.
“Working at Range Media is a dream come true and the next step in my long career focused on providing sports properties and talent with incredible growth and distribution opportunities,” Funk said in a statement. “The resources and business that Range has established as a leader in management and production is a fit for the sport.”
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