Brian Lawlor was named President, Scripps Sports, in December 2022, responsible for the strategic focus and development of partnerships for all sports rights for The E.W. Scripps Company’s ION Network and its local television stations. Brian started Scripps Sports and oversaw the development of the brand, strategy, staffing and focus that, within 3 years, successfully launched national franchises for the WNBA and NWSL and acquired the local broadcast rights to the Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lighting and the Utah Mammoth of the NHL, the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA, the NWSL’s Denver Summit FC and the NCAA’s Big Sky Conference.
Prior to stepping into this role, Brian spent 14 years leading Scripps’ Local Media division, which included oversight of the company’s 61 television stations as well as local digital and OTT operations and Scripps’ local programming initiatives.
As president of Local Media, Brian oversaw the rapid growth of the company’s broadcasting assets from 10 TV stations in 2009 to a portfolio of 61 stations, which makes Scripps one of the largest owners of TV stations in the country. He also oversaw the acquisition of the Katz multicast networks and the launch of Court TV. He had responsibility for the company’s 35 radio stations from 2015-2018, when Scripps exited the radio business.
He was named Broadcasting and Cable magazine “Broadcaster of the Year” in 2012 and one of the “80 Most Influential People in Television.” In 2021, Radio + Television Business Report named him as Broadcast Television’s Best Leader. In 2025, Brian received the broadcast industry’s “Golden Mic Award”, honoring his career and influence in the television business.
Brian is a past chairman of the ABC Board of Governors and a former president and chairman of the NBC Affiliates Board. He also previously served as the television board chairman for the National Association of Broadcasters.
Brian serves on the board of Misfits, one of esports’ top gaming companies. He is a board member of the Broadcasters Foundation of America.
Brian holds a bachelor’s degree from King’s College and an MBA from the University of Miami, Florida.