As the local sports media landscape continues to evolve, in-market RSN powerhouse FanDuel Sports Network (FDSN) is doubling down on regional coverage and fan engagement. On August 25, Damon Phillips will join Main Street Sports Group, FDSN’s parent company, as Executive Vice President of Team Partnerships for the South, Southeast, Florida, and Sun regions.
Teams that play on the RSNs mentioned above include the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, Carolina Hurricanes, Charlotte Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, Nashville Predators, Orlando Magic, and Tampa Bay Rays. Phillips will report directly to David DeVon, President of Main Street Sports Group. The move underscores FDSN’s commitment to bringing more live, local sports content directly to cord cutters and passionate fans alike.
Phillips arrives at FDSN with over three decades at the intersection of sports, media, and technology. His roles at NBC Sports and ESPN saw him oversee digital media, emerging businesses, and live-streaming platforms. At NBC Sports, he managed everything from Sports Betting and Fantasy Sports to the NBC Sports YouTube channel and Peacock’s B2B distribution.
He drove partnerships with industry heavyweights like DraftKings and BetMGM, and spearheaded FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) initiatives. At ESPN, Phillips helped scale ESPN3 and WatchESPN, mastering dynamic ad insertion and multi-screen streaming across thousands of events each year. He also had previous stops at the NBA, DIRECTV, and Disney.
“Damon brings an exceptional track record of using digital innovation, audience segmentation, and cross-platform strategies to drive fan growth and engagement,” said DeVoe. “As we continue to invest in our local sports media platform, Damon’s deep leadership experience at both NBC Sports and ESPN, combined with his ability to scale technology-forward solutions for both media companies and team partners, provide a unique perspective as we continue to focus on team-first solutions in a dynamic local media landscape.”
“I’m thrilled to be joining a company that’s reshaping what local sports media can deliver for fans and partners,” said Phillips. “FanDuel Sports Network has built a strong foundation and is uniquely positioned to harness the power of local fandom, scale engaged audiences and unlock new growth across its markets. I’m excited to help drive this next chapter.”
Phillips joins fellow regional leaders Sarah Tourville (Midwest, Kansas City, Indiana, Southwest, West/SoCal) and Randy Stephens (Detroit, North/Wisconsin, Ohio) in shaping FDSN’s local media strategy.
For cord cutters, more local game broadcasts on streaming platforms translate to greater choice and convenience. FDSN already produces over 3,000 live sports events annually, covering MLB, NBA, and NHL teams across its 15 owned and operated networks. Adding Phillips to the team brings his blend of technology-forward thinking and audience segmentation expertise, continuing to improve FDSN’s local media and direct-to-consumer streaming strategies.
As sports continue to adjust to the digital shift, FDSN remains the go-to destination for fans seeking live coverage of hometown teams in many markets across the country. The RSN giant saw a 25% increase year-over-year in total ad impressions. With the investment in seasoned leaders, FDSN looks to continue to deliver local sports games and content across its networks, making it easier for fans to watch whenever and wherever they choose.