The European Broadcasting Union’s Executive Director of Sport, Stefan Kuerten, has decided to leave the EBU in June next year.

Kuerten has been with the EBU for almost 20 years, driving the organization’s sports rights business, and partnering with Members and federations to deliver free-to-air sport to the widest possible audience. 

Prior to 2017, Kuerten was also responsible for the strategic direction, development and management of the EBU´s operational and commercial activities, positioning and enlarging the Eurovision distribution network globally and substantially growing its business of live sport and news transmissions. 

Noel Curran, Director General of the EBU, said: “I want to thank Stefan for the enormous contribution he has made to the EBU. He successfully managed the growth and innovation of our commercial business and led our sports activities through a period of unprecedented change, introducing new services, securing major sports rights deals as well as launching exciting new sporting events such as the European Championships. I would also like to extend special thanks to Stefan on behalf of our Members for all the years of service and dedication to the EBU community.”

Stefan Kuerten, Executive Director of Eurovision Sport, said: “It has been fantastic to work with such extraordinary EBU colleagues, Members, federations and partners throughout all these years on a range of activities – from sports rights, production and distribution to our commercial activities. It has been extremely interesting to drive success and changes in all these areas during an important period of transformation for the sport and media industry. I am very proud of all that we have achieved together. And now, after almost 20 years, it’s time for a change next summer”.

The EBU will immediately launch the recruitment process for his replacement.