Talaya Gaines Jumps to ESPN for Talent Relations VP Role

Talaya Gaines, a veteran TV sports executive, has been named vice president of talent relations and development at ESPN, marking a return to the Disney sports-media giant.

Gaines had most recently worked as vice president of content strategy and original programming for MSG Networks. She worked a previous 14-year stint at ESPN as managing producer of ESPN+ and original content.

Gaines starts her new role on January 5.

She will focus on the management, development and recruitment of talent, and will report to Freddy Rolón, who oversees ESPN’s global sports and talent office.

“The expansion of our Talent Office is a significant investment in ESPN’s talent community,” said Rolón. “We have the deepest roster in sports media, and the addition of Talaya to our team will super-serve this exceptional group while strategically positioning them to thrive.”

ESPN also said Rosetta Ellis-Pilie has been named vice president of talent negotiations and policy, a new role.