George McNeilly

SENIOR DIRECTOR, CORPORATE AND CONSUMER COMMUNICATIONS
ESPN

Some might say George McNeilly’s career has come full-circle – returning to his motor sports roots – overseeing strategic communications for ESPN’s NASCAR, IndyCar, Champ Car and NHRA multi-platform businesses.

Based at Walt Disney World, McNeilly manages an award-winning team which is also responsible for ESPN Regional Television and BASS, the world’s largest fishing organization – acquired by ESPN in 2001.

Prior to joining BASS in 1999, he had rewarding career as a sportscaster for the NBC and CBS Radio Networks, covering 20 Daytona 500’s, 12 Super Bowls, two World Series, heavyweight championship boxing, the NCAA Men’s Final Four, grand slam golf tournaments and the Bassmaster Classic.

McNeilly was doing pit road interviews at Daytona for NBC as a teenager, and in 1988 was chosen to travel to Seoul, South Korea to cover the first of four Olympics, specializing in swimming. He also has served as a consultant for nine PGA, LPGA and Champions Tour title sponsors and has contributed to national public relations efforts ranging from justice department rulings to the grand opening of General Motors’ Chevrolet Corvette plant and museum in Kentucky.

Early in his career, McNeilly was a member of teams which earned both the Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio-Television News Directors Association (WDBO News Radio 580 in Orlando) and a Gold Medal from the International Radio Festival of New York (1988 Summer Olympics on NBC).

For a two-year period beginning in 1997, he wrote, produced and hosted a weekly trackside TV segment for CBS Cable’s Home Team Sports, featuring one-on-one interviews with the biggest names in motor sports. The program aired in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia and was recognized for Best Television Reporting by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association.

In 2006, McNeilly completed a term as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association (SEOPA) after serving as President of the 600-member organization. Since 2003, he has served on ESPN’s committee in support of the V Foundation for Cancer Research. He is a long-time member of both the National Motorsports Press Association and AARWBA.

He was graduated by the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Radio-Television, and in 2005 earned a master’s degree from the Troy University College of Business.

McNeilly is a life member of BASS, an avid angler and golfer.