Ross Greenburg resigns as HBO Sports president, denies Manny Pacquiao as reason

By Angel Cuala on Jul 18, 2011 in Boxing, Business, Sports, United States, World • No comments

HBO Sports President Ross Greenburg resigned from his post on Sunday, July 17, 2011 but denied reports that Manny Pacquiao is the reason for his resignation.

Ross Greenburg
Image Credit: Getty Images

According to ESPN that day, Greenburg left the network which he worked for 33 years, following the pressure of its lost to Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.

Greenburg, 56, entered HBO as a production assistant in 1978 and became the executive producer for HBO Sports in 1985, where he won numerous sports awards.

Last January, it has been that CBS’ Showtime will broadcast Pacquiao-Mosley fight instead of HBO on May 7, which previously aired older fights of the eight-division world boxing champion.

“We believe that Ross’ track record speaks for itself,” A joint statement of HBO co-presidents Richard Plepler and Michael Lombardo was quoted at ESPN, confirming Greenburg’s resignation.

“He has helped redefine the sports programming genre and set an extraordinary standard of excellence in the industry. We will miss his leadership, vision, creativity and passion for sports television.” The statement added.

Meanwhile, Greenburg told The New York Times on Monday that he is not renewing his contract which will expire soon; and it has been three months since he first thought of leaving HBO.

“I’ve accomplished everything I hoped for,” Greenburg was noted to have told the NY Times in a phone interview, noting that he was not fired.

“That’s a silly rationale. That added to my angst, but one fight doesn’t determine whether I stayed or didn’t stay.” Greenburg added, who have been running top boxing events in HBO since 2000.