As YouTube prepares to air an exclusive NFL opening week game for free on September 5th, it’s hiring former Disney exec Justin Connolly. He’d most recently been running the streaming services and linear media networks, and will take over as YouTube’s new global head of media and sports, as first reported by Bloomberg, and confirmed by YouTube spokesperson Andrea Faville. 

After spending more than 20 years at Disney and ESPN, he’ll be managing YouTube’s relationship with the media companies that distribute content on YouTube TV, as well as leading its live sports coverage. Connolly left Disney last week, just months before the launch of its standalone ESPN streaming service this fall.

Other streaming companies have also increased their focus on sports recently, with Amazon preparing to broadcast NBA games and Inside the NBA next season, Apple’s close relationship with MLB and MLS, and Netflix (something).

YouTube has become a growing force in live sports, with its live TV streaming service amassing more than 8 million subscribers and adding the NFL Sunday Ticket package in 2023. The platform will also. Earlier this year, YouTube revealed that it has become more popular on TVs than phones.