A Major League Baseball higher-up is leaving the world of sports and jumping into the world of digital sports video games. Current MLB Deputy Commissioner of Business and Media Tony Petitti is leaving his role with MLB and moving to Activision Blizzard where he will become the new President of Sports & Entertainment. Petitti will report directly to CEO Bobby Kotick while remaining based in New York, New York, officially starting in the position next week. The move appears to bolster Activision?s commitment to esports in particular, though Petitti ?will oversee esports, consumer products, and film and television.?

I look forward to Tony Petitti joining @ATVI_AB as President of Sports & Entertainment. His success in media & as Deputy Commissioner and COO of @MLB is the perfect blend of skills to help us realize our aspirations for #esports and our related businesses. https://t.co/uivVa7RhnO ? Bobby Kotick (@BobbyKotick) August 10, 2020

?Tony is one of the most highly regarded executives in sports and entertainment,? says Bobby Kotick, Chief Executive Officer of Activision Blizzard in today?s release. ?His success in media and as Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of Major League Baseball is the perfect blend of skills to help us realize our aspirations for esports and our related businesses. He is admired by owners, media executives, players and fans.? The move takes someone with proven success and experience in the world of American meat sport...