Showtime's new sports topper is Espinoza

Showtime has named Stephen Espinoza for everybody as professional veep and gm in the cabler's sports and event programming. He replaces Ken Hershman, who had run Showtime's sports division since 2003 before departing in October to be successful Ross Greenburg as Cinemax sports prexy. Espinoza arises from the firm of Ziffren Brittenham, where he represented sports sports athletes including Mike Tyson and Oscar P La Hoya, in addition to offered as lead counsel for P La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions. That expertise puts him in position to tackle his new responsibilities with Showtime, where he'll oversee development and way of cable and pay-per-view programs that particularly include Showtime Championship Boxing. Espinoza has furthermore repped entertainment industry names including Keanu Reeves, James Spader, Vanessa Hudgens, Alicia Secrets, Eminem, Shakira, Tyler Perry, Craig Sonnenfeld, Scott Rudin and Gavin Polone. He's experience creating and settling distribution, financing, debt and equity plans for independent television and film companies. "Stephen has received a great career that spans sports, entertainment, television and film," mentioned Showtime chairman and Boss Matt Blank. "His deep experience in many fields and incredible understanding and contacts within the boxing and mma cities will probably be an resource to Showtime after we still expand our options." Espinoza will account to Blank, while Showtime professional producer David Dinkins Junior., programming V . p . Jock McLean and production V . p . Gordon Hall will account to Espinoza. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com