Dave Roberts

In January 2020, David Roberts was named senior vice president, production, at ESPN, returning the strategic direction of ESPN Audio’s national network talk radio content to his oversight. In August 2020, he unveiled a powerful weekday talk lineup, adding new and diverse voices to ESPN Radio. Roberts also shepherds the television production of First Take, the 6 p.m. ET edition of SportsCenter, Get Up, Highly Questionable, Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption. In January 2021, Roberts’ leadership expanded to include the launch and continued growth of two new, signature shows on the network’s industry-leading sports streaming service, ESPN+. Stephen A’s World – featuring host and executive producer Stephen A. Smith – and ESPN’s reimagined SportsNation. Both premiered on January 11. In November 2020, leadership of ESPN’s cross-platform production unit was added to his portfolio. He now also oversees Jalen & Jacoby, all ESPN Audio content, including podcasts and events, as well as production of digital studio shows and YouTube. Roberts’ leadership across ESPN has been highly recognized. In 2020, he was named to the Cablefax Diversity List, recognizing the most influential diverse executives in the industry. Roberts was also an integral part of a leadership team that brought First Take live to HBCU Week in 2019, with the goal to increase HBCU enrollment and scholarships at the event’s college fair. A native of Detroit, Roberts earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communications from Wayne State University in his hometown of Detroit.