You may not have heard of Doug Sellars, but the man has had a storied career at CBC and at Fox, heading up production on some of North America’s most famous sports television series.
Sellars passed away on Friday. Fox plans to pay tribute to him today on its NFL broadcasts. CBC where he first began his career sent a press release this morning. Sellars began in sports television working on Hockey Night in Canada in the mid-1980’s. He then was one of the youngest people ever to produce the CFL Grey Cup and eventually headed up CBC’s Sports Production in charge of overseeing the Olympic and Commonwealth Games for the network.
Sellars eventually left CBC to join Fox Sports where he was Vice President in charge of Studio and Event Production.
Here’s CBC’s press release.
CBC MOURNS THE LOSS OF SPORTS BROADCASTING EXECUTIVE DOUG SELLERS
The world of sports broadcasting has lost one of its finest and most talented leaders. Doug Sellers passed on Friday and his extended CBC family is mourning the loss.
“While unfortunately I didn’t know Doug personally, I understand he had a wonderful disposition, and his calm and kind way made him a gifted leader, respected by everyone who had the pleasure of working for him. On behalf of Doug’s many friends at CBC, I extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family,” said Kirstine Stewart, Executive Vice-President, English Services, CBC.
Doug began his career at CBC in 1985 working on Hockey Night in Canada.
Two years on, he produced the Grey Cup Game at just 27 years of age. In 1989, Doug was promoted to Head of Sports Production, where he oversaw all CBC Sports properties, including several Olympic Games and two Commonwealth Games. A multiple Gemini Award-winner, Doug went on from CBC to Fox Sports, where he worked his way up to Executive Vice-President, Fox Sports Media Group.
I’ll post more tributes as they come in.
