BAMTech Takes Few Step In Swelling By Naming Former Amazon Exec Michael Paull As CEO

BAMTech, the digital media company spun off by Major League Baseball’s MLB Advanced Media, continues to move forward through the maturity process as today they named the former vice president, digital video at Amazon, Michael Paull, as BAMTech’s CEO. The move takes place after Bob Bowman, President, Business & Media of Major League Baseball stepped back from the operations of BAMTech after its intial launch.

BAMTech, the streaming service that is owned by MLBAM, The Walt Disney Company, and the National Hockey League, continues to grow its stable of over-the-top (OTT) clients which includes HBO NOW, the NHL, MLB, the PGA TOUR, WWE Network, Riot Games/League of Legends, and Ice Network. Disney is posititioned to continue taking a larger ownership stake, with the option of eventually becoming majority owners in several years. They currently hold a 33% ownership stake and made their final installment of that $1 billion investment in January of this year.

BAMTech also has negotiated a presence in Europe througha partnership last year with Discovery, BAMTech Europe, which was launched to provide tech and video streaming services overseas, including Eurosport’s digital products.

Paull is scheduled to start in March as CEO. and will report directly to the BAMTech board of directors.

“The team at BAMTech has created a best in class Over-The-Top video streaming platform allowing them to develop innovative solutions for their customers,” said Paull. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with this highly accomplished team and want to thank Major League Baseball and The Walt Disney Company for this exciting opportunity.”

The move brings a solid leadership presence to BAMTech with more than 20 years of consumer product development, technology, content distribution and acquisition, and media industry experience to his new position. At Seattle-based Amazon, he was in charge of Amazon Channels worldwide and was responsible for its global content, product, technology, operations and marketing. As part of joining Amazon in 2012 he also oversaw Prime Video and Amazon’s TVOD business in the U.S., as well as the development of Prime Music.

“Michael is a talented and accomplished executive who shares our collective vision for BAMTech as it aggressively explores new means to acquire and distribute video content,” said MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred. “We are confident Michael will deliver on the incredible potential and promise this venture has for building powerful viewing experiences for its clients and their customers.”