New boss at BASHOF

After a long and comprehensive search, the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame has found a new president and chief executive officer. Former KTVU executive Kevin O’brien is expected to be named to the position this week.

He will step into a chair being vacated by retiring CEO Tom Martz, the longtime leader of a group that enshrines the Bay Area’s sports heroes into a virtual hall of fame while raising money to provide equipment to disenfranchised youth.

“This position combines two of my lifelong passions: helping young people, especially inner-city at-risk kids, and sports,” said O’brien. “BASHOF is one of the most endearing and prestigious charitable entities in Northern California, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that we continue our mission to help kids play sports.“

O’brien will oversee a hall that boasts local luminaries such as Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Vida Blue and Will Clark. Its annual banquet is considered the sports party of the year.

“Kevin is perfect for this role,” said 49ers great Ronnie Lott, a 1999 BASHOF inductee. “His reputation as a tough, aggressive leader is exactly what the Sports Hall of Fame is looking for right now to build on our success. We need to grow the Hall of Fame so we can help more needy kids. Kevin knows how to do just that, so I’m looking forward to seeing him take us to the next level.”

O’brien first came to the Bay Area in 1985 as general manager of KTVU Channel 2 and made his reputation as a successful broadcasting executive. O’brien was instrumental in persuading Cox Broadcasting, KTVU’S parent company, to become part of the local group that bought the Giants in 1992, preventing the team from moving to Florida.

Baalke

Jim Harbaugh