Mark L. Walker

Mark L. Walker serves as the Executive Vice President of ESPN BET, focusing on Business Development and Sports Innovation. In this role, he leads ESPN's business development initiatives, particularly in sports media innovation and the expansion of ESPN BET, which is expected to significantly increase revenue over the next decade in partnership with PENN Entertainment.12

Professional Background

• Previous Roles: Before joining ESPN, Walker worked at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, where he spearheaded global initiatives to enhance fan engagement with major franchises like Disney and Marvel. He has also held significant positions at Yahoo!, overseeing their News and Information verticals, and has experience in various legal and business affairs roles within the entertainment industry.12
• Education: Walker holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) .12

Contributions to ESPN

Walker has been pivotal in driving innovative projects like ESPN EDGE, collaborating with tech leaders to enhance fan experiences through unique initiatives such as "Big City Greens" and "Toy Story Funday Football" .2 His leadership is central to establishing ESPN as a leader in the evolving sports betting landscape.

Current Focus

As he continues to lead efforts in sports innovation, Walker emphasizes creating engaging experiences for fans while navigating the complexities of the sports betting market.34 He is based in ESPN's New York office and reports directly to Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN at The Walt Disney Company.1