Lunch with a VIP - Jeff Behnke, executive producer, Turner Sports (exclusive online content)
Tim Darnell
May 1, 2008
Web site exclusive -
Jeff Behnke describes his
career
Now in its 24th year of broadcasting the NBA on TNT, Turner Sports is in the process of
bringing the league's entire digital operation under its roof.
"It's going to launch sometime in the fall," says Behnke, who has spent more than 20 years
with Turner Sports and 27 overall in sports television. "We've expanded our partnership with the
NBA to take over the NBA League Pass, NBA TV, video on demand and NBA.com. We're working with the
NBA to produce, market and brand it. They were looking for experts in the field to run these
properties, and we've had an incredible relationship with them."
Behnke oversees all
aspects of production, including live remotes, studio broadcasts and talent services for sports
programming on TNT and TBS, which includes Major League Baseball, NASCAR, the NBA and professional
golf.
"It's a never-ending cycle," he says. "As soon as we start baseball, we're right into 40
games over 40 nights of the NBA playoffs. As soon as that's over, we're at the British Open, and
then it's six weeks of NASCAR."
About the restaurant
STATS' main claim to restaurant PR-dom is the fact that it is the nation's
first location (and only the second worldwide) to use new technology that allows patrons to pour
their own beer. Seven tables and 10 private rooms use computerized, point-of-sale systems that keep
you from having to make endless (upon endless) walks to the bar.
And the menus are really cool,
too. You'll find a complete selection of wines and beers (of course); signature bar food (think
tacos, burgers, etc.); as well as entrees such as pan-roasted rainbow trout, barbecue bacon-wrapped
shrimp and cheddar grits, and wood-grilled pork chops.