Back9Network

BACK9NETWORK is a suspended 24/7 golf lifestyle cable television network and media company based in Hartford, Connecticut. BACK9NETWORK was developed as a complementary alternative to traditional media's focus on professional golf tournament coverage. The network is focused on compelling storytelling, interesting personalities, features and fashions, interviews and instruction, travel, gear and more. BACK9NETWORK.com, the online clubhouse for BACK9NETWORK, delivers a fresh perspective on the golf lifestyle and its worldwide influence.

History

BACK9NETWORK was founded in 2010, and is currently headquartered in Hartford, CT along with the network's production studio. BACK9NETWORK launched online in April 2012, and re-launched their current website in January 2013. The network raised private equity from a number of shareholders, and received a $5 million loan from the state of Connecticut (which closed in March 2013). In June, BACK9NETWORK announced that it will launch on DIRECTV as channel 262 on September 29, 2014.^[1]

On February 23, 2015 the channel suspended operations due to lack of funding. The channel delayed payroll payments to about half its staff in January of 2015. ^[2]

Programming

Programs

The lifestyle & entertainment network will hit the airwaves with nearly 1,100 hours of original programming in its first year, including AHMAD RASHAD, Golf Treasures and Ball Hogs, live morning, mid-day, and evening studio shows, as well as a variety of golf lifestyle programming covering travel, real estate, food, fashion, autos, courses and equipment. The initial programming slate includes:

• Ahmad Rashad: Emmy award-winning broadcaster Ahmad Rashad gives the BACK9NETWORK's audience a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes as he delivers candid, yet in-depth interviews with the biggest names in sports and entertainment
• Golf Treasures: This weekly reality series takes you along with golf collectors Ryan Carey and Bob Zafian, owners of Green Jacket Auctions, as they scour the country for some incredible auctions
• Ball Hogs: This docu-soap follows the men and women who dive for the more than 300 million golf balls lost each year- earning some divers up to $100,000/yr in “white gold."
• Of Course: An animated series produced in conjunction with Skadaddle Media
• Off Par With Matty Blake: Co-hosted by acclaimed actor and comedian Matty Blake, veteran voice, theatre and television actor Charles Everett, and model Caite Upton is an inventive look at the world of golf and entertainment, with a seriously comedic twist.
• The Clubhouse: This nightly talk show features Former PGA Tour pro John Maginnes, longtime Golfweek Senior Writer Jeff Rude, and extreme sports champion Will Christien.
• The Turn: Back9Network's flagship hour of golf, pop culture, debate, and entertainment will be delivered on "The Turn."

On-air Personalities

• Ahmad Rashad, Host of AHMAD RASHAD and Executive Producer at BACK9NETWORK; former NFL professional, on-air host for NBA, and Golf Channel
• Shane Bacon, Co-Host of The Turn; former cbssports.com and Yahoo! Sports golf writer
• Erica Bachelor, Co-Host of The Turn; former E! Network host
• Lou Holder, Co-Host of The Turn; Emmy award-winning sports personality, and a former anchor for many entities in the Washington D.C. area
• Matty Blake, Host of Off Par; an acclaimed actor and comedian
• Caite Upton, Co-Host of Off Par; an American model and TV personality
• Charles Everett, Co-Host of Off Par; actor formerly cast on 30 Rock, Law & Order, Rescue Me (U.S. TV series)
• Will Christien, Co-Host of The Clubhouse; women's extreme sports champion
• John Maginnes, Co-Host of The Clubhouse; former PGA Tour pro and Golf Channel and USA Network golf commentator
• Jeff Rude, Co-Host of The Clubhouse; former Golfweek Senior Writer
• Universo Pereira, Network Co-Host, TV personality and stage actor
• Alexis Morgan, Lifestyle Correspondent, TV personality and reporter
• Katie Sundseth, Lifestyle Correspondent, TV personality and model

Corporate governance

Executive Team

• Charles Cox, CEO; Former CFO & Head of Business Development, BACK9NETWORK, Director at ESPN, investment banker at Wachovia Securities, and attorney at Proskauer Rose
• Carlos Silva, President/COO; former President/COO of Universal Sports, Director at Park Lane, SVP of AOL Sports, News, and Money at AOL Time Warner
• Reid Gorman, Founder and CAO; former President of MacGregor Golf, and sales executive at Callaway Golf
• Brian Kalinowski, EVP, Digital Media; former COO of LiveClips, and EVP, Digital Media, World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE).
• Ahmad Rashad, Host of AHMAD RASHAD and Executive Producer at BACK9NETWORK; former NFL professional, on-air host for NBA, and Golf Channel
• Scot Thor, SVP, Programming; former SVP of Development and Production at Intersport.
• Chris Lencheski, SVP, Sales; former President of Front Row Marketing, a division of Comcast

Board of Directors

• Sandy Cloud, Chairman, CEO of the Cloud Company
• Joe Mayernik, CEO of Sonoma Holdings, LLC
• Michael M. Michigami, president of MMM Business Advisory Services
• James D. Wehr, President and CEO of The Phoenix Companies
• Gary Giulietti, President, Lockton Companies, LLC
• Charles Cox, CEO, BACK9NETWORK

References

External links

• BACK9NETWORK Web Site
• BACK9NETWORK YouTube Channel
• BACK9NETWORK Twitter Page
• BACK9NETWORK Facebook Page