NHRA Named Award-Winning Multimedia Exec VP Of Broadcasting, Digital Content

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Ken Adelson, an Emmy award-winning multimedia executive, producer, and broadcast journalist, has been named vice president of broadcasting & digital content/executive producer.

In his new role with NHRA, Adelson will create and oversee the NHRA television production division that will work with FOX Sports starting in 2016. He began his position on September 1 and reports to NHRA President Peter Clifford.

“Ken has a strong reputation throughout the broadcasting industry as an executive who can create successful production teams quickly and produce creative and innovative content,” Clifford said. “We are very lucky to have Ken on board to lead our groundbreaking venture into television production. He did some excellent pioneering work during his time with the NBA and the Oklahoma City Thunder, and we expect him to have a similar impact on NHRA’s television future.”

Prior to accepting the position with NHRA, Adelson worked as a senior consultant and executive producer with Desser Sports Media, where NHRA was a client. Prior to that, he served as executive producer for the Jockey Club, a show on FOX Sports 1 dedicated to horse racing.

From 2008 until 2011, Adelson created from scratch the broadcasting and digital media departments for the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder. He launched the program in less than three months and later won a Heartland Emmy for “Best Game Broadcast.”

For nearly two decades, he served as senior vice president, production operations & planning for the NBA. During his time at the NBA, he oversaw the day-to-day operations and created thousands of hours of programming each season that was distributed to more than 190 countries. He also played a key role in the launch of NBA TV in 1999, the first cable network created by a sports league.

“I have worked with several start-up projects in the past, and I am really looking forward to this challenge as the media landscape continues to change in a rapid fashion,” Adelson said. “NHRA is an exciting, visual sport, and the opportunities for creating video content are unlimited. Distributing that content throughout multiple platforms, distribution outlets, and social media channels to elevate NHRA’s profile and create more interest in NHRA Drag Racing will be the objective.”

Adelson holds a bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting from the University of Florida. He will reside in Southern California.

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