[SmootSmack]

This is from August 18th's New York Times:

Also yesterday, Mark Shapiro, ESPN's executive vice president of programming and production since 2002, announced his resignation, effective Oct. 1, to be the chief executive of Red Zone LLC, a fledgling entertainment company created by Daniel M. Snyder, the principal owner of the Washington Redskins.

"This is probably the most bittersweet, emotional decision I'll probably make in my entire life," Shapiro, 35, said by telephone. "I flat out love this company and the people who work alongside me and for me. But this is an entrepreneurial opportunity I didn't want to pass up. The timing is right. The opportunity is right."

Bodenheimer said in an interview that he and Shapiro had discussed his future for the last few weeks, "but it was clear that he wanted to go after this opportunity and be let out of his contract."

As an ESPN producer, the brash, candid and sometimes abrasive Shapiro created the "SportsCentury" series, and as an executive, he pushed ESPN into producing films and dramatic series, immersed the network in poker and negotiated various TV deals with leagues and college conferences. Among Shapiro's last tasks will be to complete the extension of ESPN's contract to carry major league baseball on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

He is already involved in a Red Zone corporate battle. In documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, Red Zone said it intended to make an offer to Six Flags Inc. shareholders to increase its 11.7 percent stake in the theme park operator to 34.9 percent.

It is also seeking the removal of three Six Flags board members, including Kieran Burke, the chief executive and chairman of Six Flags Inc., and having him replaced by Shapiro as chief executive with Snyder as chairman. Snyder has feuded with Six Flags management during the past year.

Red Zone said it would not complete its $6.50 a share tender offer if Six Flags shareholders don't elect Shapiro, Snyder and Dwight Schar to the board.

"The parks are skewed to thrill rides and teenagers at the expense of families and young children," Shapiro said. "This is about building a family brand and stretching it out."