Jeff Krolik, President of Sinclair’s Regional Sports Networks, To Retire in August

Jeff Krolik, longstanding President of the Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) now owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, announced his retirement, effective August 30. Krolik, 63, managed the RSNs for nearly 15 years, and led the group during the sale from Fox to Disney and the subsequent sale from Disney to Sinclair.

“This August marks the one-year anniversary of the Sinclair closing, as well as the integration of the network into the group,” Krolik said. “There could be no more perfect time to hand over the reins.”

Under Krolik’s leadership, the RSN group achieved record profitability and grew to be by far the largest in the nation. The RSN group acquired a majority stake in the YES Network and SportsTime Ohio, and successfully launched regional sports networks in the Carolinas, Indiana, New Orleans, Oklahoma, and San Diego. During his tenure, Krolik and his team negotiated over 40 team rights agreements.

“Jeff has the well-deserved reputation as both an outstanding executive and a proven leader,” said Chris Ripley, Sinclair CEO. “He and his team have built an extraordinarily successful enterprise, and all of us congratulate him on his many accomplishments and wish him only the best in his retirement.”

“I want to thank the hundreds of colleagues who have made my 25 years in the regional sports business such an exceptional time and contributed to such an exceptional success,” Krolik said. “I also want to thank Chris Ripley for all the support he has provided this past year and extend my best wishes to him and to the organization. The RSNs are in good hands with Sinclair, and I look forward to their continued success.”

Sinclair, through Nola Partners in Los Angeles, will immediately launch a nation-wide search for the next President.