Ramesh Kumar and Sambit Bal get expanded roles at ESPN

Kumar will be vice-president and head of ESPN India and South Asia; Bal will serve as editor-in-chief.

ESPN has announced that Ramesh Kumar and Sambit Bal will now take on expanded roles in the ESPN's business in India and beyond. The development is in line with the channel's expansion in India through the recently-announced collaboration with Sony for co-branded channels and digital media.

Kumar will take over as vice-president and head of ESPN India and South Asia. In his new role, he will oversee all day-to-day operations of ESPN's multimedia future in India and help drive its strategic growth which includes oversight of ESPN's digital properties including ESPNcricinfo, ESPN FC, and the forthcoming local edition of multisport ESPN site and app in India. He will report to Russell Wolff, executive vice-president, ESPN International, and will continue to be part of ESPN's regional Asia-Pacific leadership team, working for Mike Morrison, vice-president, ESPN Asia-Pacific.

"Kumar has been a strong business leader who understands the richness and complexity of India and the competitive marketplace and product dynamics across the subcontinent," says Wolff. "Under his leadership, our business in India has continued to evolve and grow, serving Indian fans in new ways, while also becoming an important part of ESPN's business regionally and globally," he adds.

Kumar, who joined ESPNcricinfo 15 years ago, has most recently been head of ESPNcricinfo and ESPN India, overseeing the ESPNcricinfo.

Meanwhile, Sambit Bal, who has been editor, ESPNcricinfo since 2003, will now serve as editor-in-chief, ESPN India/South Asia. He will continue to be responsible for all ESPNcricinfo editorial content (written, video and audio), while also overseeing all editorial content for the new India multisport ESPN.com site and app (launching June 2016). Bal will also play a leading role in growing ESPN's global coverage of tennis. He will report to both Kumar and Patrick Stiegman, vice-president and editorial director, digital and print media.

"Bal has been instrumental in establishing ESPNcricinfo as the most trusted and comprehensive source for news, commentary and information around cricket. He will now be instrumental in delivering the same level of excellence to our coverage of multiple sports for fans in India and beyond," says Stiegman.

In October, ESPN and Sony Pictures Networks in India (previously Multi Screen Media) worked out a long-term collaboration that will bring new offerings to Indian sports fans including new Sony ESPN sports channels and a new multisport website and app.