ESPN is losing a longtime pillar of the company, with Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Sean Bratches announcing that he will depart the company at the end of the year. With a career that has spanned 27-years at the company, Bratches has led the affiliate sales groups at ESPN and The Walt Disney Company, as well as ESPN’s advertising sales, research, consumer marketing, consumer products and special events areas since being named to his current position in 2005. He will now serve in an advisory capacity to ESPN until the end of 2015.

Among his accomplishments, Bratches in 2003 was the catalyst behind securing extensive distribution of ESPN HD and in 2010, Bratches’ team introduced the first live, streaming cable channels online and in mobile devices through WatchESPN.

“Sean is an extremely well-respected and admired industry visionary whose contributions to ESPN’s success cannot be overstated,” said ESPN President John Skipper. “We have all greatly appreciated his energy, integrity and service to ESPN, our employees and our industry.

“There is no more innovative, inventive, creative and collaborative company in the media business — perhaps on the planet — than ESPN,” said Bratches added. “ESPN’s future is bright, and my teams are performing at their highest levels. The time just felt right to pursue my next adventure.”