Golf Channel Gets A New Executive Producer

Richard Sandomir on the naming of NBC Olympic Coordinating Producer Molly Solomon as Executive Producer, Golf Channel.

She is, according to NBC, the first woman to be appointed to that position for any national sports network or broadcast network sports division.

“It’s funny, working in an industry that tends to be male-dominated,” she said. “My goal has always been to work in a gender-free workplace, and that’s what I’ve experienced at NBC Sports. But if I can be a role model to the next generation of female producers, I’m proud of that. I’m embracing that.”

The NBC influence has been steadily growing at the Golf Channel — a former NBC Sports publicist and executive, Mike McCarley, is its president — and Solomon said she would emphasize storytelling.

Here's the full press release from NBC:

MOLLY SOLOMON NAMED EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF GOLF CHANNEL
  
First woman to be named executive producer of a national sports networkNine-time Emmy Award-winner and longtime Olympic producer to bring storytelling philosophy to Golf Channel
 
NEW YORK – Feb. 29, 2012 – Nine-time Emmy Award-winner and longtime NBC Olympics coordinating producer Molly Solomon has been promoted within the NBC Sports Group to Executive Producer and Senior Vice President, Production and Operations, Golf Channel. The promotion marks the first time that a woman will serve as executive producer for a national sports network. Solomon will report directly to Mike McCarley, President, Golf Channel.In her new role, Solomon will oversee all aspects of production for programming on Golf Channel, including tournament coverage, news, original productions and operations. She will re-locate from the NBC Sports Group’s New York and Stamford, Conn., offices to Golf Channel’s Orlando Studios.“I look forward to leading a talented production team that shares my passion for the game as we build on the tremendous momentum Golf Channel and NBC Sports have experienced since coming together in January, 2011,” said Solomon, who won one of her nine Emmys during her six-year stint as a member of NBC Sports’ golf production team before moving to her Olympic role. “I’m excited to continue the focus on high-quality production in all of our programming.”

“Molly is not only one of the most talented storytellers in sports television, but she’s also a leader who is held in very high regard by the army of production personnel she leads at every Olympic Games,” said McCarley. “Her ability to lead a team that is focused on high-quality production is what first led us to discuss this role with her, but her connection and passion for golf is what convinced us that she is the perfect person for this job.”Although Solomon will begin at Golf Channel immediately, she will continue to perform many of her duties as coordinating producer for NBC Olympics through the 2012 London Games, which begin July 27. As previously scheduled, she will co-produce the Opening Ceremony and primetime show broadcasts from London, and will continue to work on future Games for NBC Olympics.Solomon began her NBC Olympic career in 1990 as a researcher for the 1992 Barcelona Games. She has worked on eight Olympic Games overall – London will be her ninth – while being nominated for 21 Sports Emmy Awards, winning nine. In her most recent role as coordinating producer, NBC Olympics, Solomon was involved in every facet of production and planning, including program development, operational planning and the hiring and assigning of on-air talent and production staff. She also worked extensively on NBC Sports’ golf production for six years (1993-99), which produced one of her nine Emmy Awards