Briggs joins Fox Sports

NINE Entertainment executive Scott Briggs is to leave the broadcaster to join Fox Sports.

NINE Entertainment executive Scott Briggs is to leave the broadcaster to join Fox Sports in the newly created role of commercial director.

The director of commercial and regulatory affairs at Nine has been a key executive and a bridge between the network and the corridors of power in Canberra.

Alongside Nine chief executive David Gyngell, Mr Briggs ­appeared before a joint select parliamentary committee on the controversial Gillard media reforms package in March last year.

He will report to Fox Sports chief executive Patrick Delany, and oversee major commercial relationships within subscription TV, as well as with sports partners and government.

Former communications minister Stephen Conroy has been linked to a role at Nine, and Mr Briggs’s exit could pave the way for him to join the company.

“Scott brings broad corporate and regulatory experience to the Fox Sports team,” Mr Delany said. “I expect he will make a very significant contribution as we grow and develop our business.”

Mr Briggs said: “Fox Sports is a great business with enormous ­potential. I’m very excited about the opportunity to join the Fox Sports team to help the business expand in new ways and enhance its products for sports fans.”

It’s thought there are no plans to replace Mr Briggs, whose intentions were announced while Nine was having a board meeting.

Mr Gyngell said: “We are happy for Scott, he’s a great colleague and a good friend, he’s going to a terrific company at Fox Sports and I look forward to working with him in the future.”

Fox Sports is owned by News Corp Australia, publisher of The Australian.