You may not know the name of Anthony Mormile, but for those who have worked for him and have known him, he’s been a giant.
Mormile worked at ESPN and most recently CBSSports.com as a Vice President of Programming. He passed suddenly last Friday at the age of 50. His influence on those who have worked not just for both companies, but spread to other networks reads like a who’s who in sports media.
This was his last tweet just hours before his death:
Don't worry… Everybody R-E-L-A-X. We got it… The real Big Man (my dad) and I will make the magic happen. Love you all, King of Content
— Anthony Mormile (@BigTMiles) May 6, 2016
Reaction to his death on Friday spread far and wide:
Anthony Mormile believed in me when a lot of people didn't. His heart was big, bold and beautiful.
— Cassidy Hubbarth (@CassidyHubbarth) May 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/jonahkeri/status/728737208073494528
Lost a great person. Welcomed you into his home, family.. Provided guidance, wisdom, joy.. Anthony Mormile you are wonderful & I'll miss you
— Jamie Erdahl (@JamieErdahl) May 7, 2016
RIP Anthony Mormile – my first boss. pic.twitter.com/alORkdL6Yh
— Paul Severino (@SeverinoMLB) May 7, 2016
We lost a good one today @CBSSports in @BigTMiles. He will be missed. Condolences to the family.
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) May 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/darcymaine_espn/status/728736037049122817
A friend of Mormile, ESPN fantasy analyst Matthew Berry told Richard Deitsch a little about the man and what he meant to him and to those who worked for him:
“As an executive in the sports digital media space, his accomplishments are significant. He won an Emmy for the show he launched at ESPN, Fantasy Football Now; he launched ESPN’s televised coverage of UFC and other mixed martial arts leagues with MMA Live. He mentored and gave hundreds of people their start, including many people you watch on TV every day such as Molly Qerim, Paul Severino, Jon Anik, Jenny Dell, Stephania Bell, Jenn Brown and Cassidy Hubbarth.
… Anthony fought hard for people and ideals, protective of those who worked for him and was never afraid to challenge authority. He was always willing to “take the heat” if a new idea didn’t work. He inspired creativity, passion and tremendous loyalty.”
Mormile’s career wasn’t without some controversy. The Big Lead reported in February that Mormile was leading CBS’s digital properties towards more aggregation over original reporting, causing some internal strife. However, CBSSports.com has seen its ComScore ranking rise to third overall in the sports department over the last year.
But for those who swore by Mormile, his death leaves a hole that will be hard to fill.
[SI.com]
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About Ken Fang
Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.
He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.
Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.