Ilan Ben-Hanan

I love my day job! I'm also the co-founder of as well as the creator of The New Year Calendar.

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

My time @espn will be coming to an end later this year. After almost 24 years, I can boil my experience here down to one word - gratitude.

Where else could I pitch the idea for Jimmy V Week, and have it turn into an annual initiative that's raised over $100M for cancer research?

Where else would I get the chance to lead multi-billion dollar rights negotiations for myriad college conferences, NCAA Championships, the College Football Playoff, the NHL, and the chance to run the SEC Network and ACC Network, along with so much more?

Where else would I be entrusted with the keys to program all of our networks, including ABC, getting to touch every property and program we air?

Where else would I get the chance to work with the most talented, passionate, and committed colleagues, across both ESPN and The Walt Disney Company?

If you had told me in 2002 that I'd get to do all that, I'd sign up over and over again.

A huge thank you to everyone I've ever worked with, whether inside the company or across the industry.

Looking ahead, I'm excited to be part of a team that can use an executive with strong business fundamentals, a sports fan's passion and instincts, and who embraces innovation, rewards creativity and spirited discussions, and treasures teamwork. Please feel free to reach out - I can't wait for what's next.

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

@P356Loeffler @espn The best Spelling Bee color commentator in the business! Thank you, Paul.

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

My time @espn will be coming to an end later this year. After almost 24 years, I can boil my experience here down to one word - gratitude.

Where else could I pitch the idea for Jimmy V Week, and have it turn into an annual initiative that's raised over $100M for cancer research?

Where else would I get the chance to lead multi-billion dollar rights negotiations for myriad college conferences, NCAA Championships, the College Football Playoff, the NHL, and the chance to run the SEC Network and ACC Network, along with so much more?

Where else would I be entrusted with the keys to program all of our networks, including ABC, getting to touch every property and program we air?

Where else would I get the chance to work with the most talented, passionate, and committed colleagues, across both ESPN and The Walt Disney Company?

If you had told me in 2002 that I'd get to do all that, I'd sign up over and over again.

A huge thank you to everyone I've ever worked with, whether inside the company or across the industry.

Looking ahead, I'm excited to be part of a team that can use an executive with strong business fundamentals, a sports fan's passion and instincts, and who embraces innovation, rewards creativity and spirited discussions, and treasures teamwork. Please feel free to reach out - I can't wait for what's next.

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

@raycoletv @espn Wow, Ray! Thank you for reupping that one. Always loved working with you to maximize our opportunities, especially in Nebraska and Iowa!

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

@rashghazi @espn Thank you, Rashid! You were way ahead of the curve, can't believe we got to televise LeBron's HS games and he's still going strong!

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

@isaaclowenkron @espn From the very first time I met you at USC, I knew you were destined for big things, Isaac. Congrats on all of your success!

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

@MMcCarthyREV @espn You always treated me fairly, Michael. Thank you.

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

@espn Truly overwhelmed (in the best way!) by the response. So grateful for all of you and looking forward to staying connected.

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

If @Ourand_Puck reported it, you can be sure it's true.

[John Ourand @Ourand_Puck]

The Varsity
* Ilan Ben-Hanan (@IBH) —an SVP of programming & content strategy, is the most senior ESPN executive to be laid off this week.
* Will regulators get behind YouTube's pending deal with the NFL?
* Casey Wasserman is on Capitol Hill trying to salvage the funding he’s spent years putting together for LA28, per @LACaldwellDC.
* @DylanByers on Russini-gate: "This is going to accelerate the process of integrating The Athletic more" into NYT standards.
* Monumental Sports hires @doriancraft to call Mystics games.

Plus, how much longer is Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund willing to continue pumping billions into its quixotic bet on LIV Golf, as the Iran war dislocates sporting events like Formula One and Fanatics flag football?

https://t.co/SjuU7wUSxg

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

@dani_hendler Wish I was with you all! ❤️

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

One of my very favorite Quintalist puzzles today. Give it a try! https://t.co/tTWIETuJK2

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

I see your calendar and raise you mine.

https://t.co/7Efj9ke5Gh

[13Cal @13Calendar]

Why do we live by a calendar that barely makes sense?

30 days.
31 days.
28 days… sometimes 29.
What if every month had 28 days
and the year had 13 perfectly balanced months?
Same dates.
Same weekdays.
Every year.

Welcome to the future of time. https://t.co/Trxrdn766z

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

@dani_hendler Come what may

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

Daylight Saving Time is a reminder that our clocks and calendars are human constructs, and can be improved. Behold, the New Year Calendar. https://t.co/7Efj9ke5Gh

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

Jan 1 followed by a Friday is ideal, creating a natural four-day weekend, just like Thanksgiving. There is a way to make this PERMANENT...and it's not that hard. Please help spread the word about the New Year Calendar. #America250 https://t.co/MIFGBfyRIn

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

Next year, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day fall on a Thursday/Friday, just like Thanksgiving weekend. We can make that permanent, without changing the dates where they fall! Introducing The New Year Calendar https://t.co/MIFGBfzpxV

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

Halloween falling on a weekend night is so much better. What if I told you it could happen every year? Introducing the New Year Calendar. https://t.co/xZ4NAksY3C

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

Skubal was absolutely filthy today. Live look:

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

Isn't it great that the 4th of July falls on a Friday this year? What if I told you there was a way to make it a 3-day weekend every year? It can be done, and it's actually not that hard! Introducing: The New Year Calendar. https://t.co/MIFGBfzpxV

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

Today was Day 1 of our Quindle tourney, which combines #Quintalist & #Wordle. The twist - your first Wordle guess must relate to that day's Quintalist topic! A fun way to introduce some variety into your daily Wordleplay. Give it a try! https://t.co/wZRUHYm2Wr @QuintalistGame

[Ilan Ben-Hanan @IBH]

Can I be the first to call him Tyrese Hoosierburton?