David Neal

"One of the most prolific and accomplished sports producers of his generation, with more than 30 years of production experience and 35 Emmy and Peabody awards to his name, David Neal serves as Executive Producer of FIFA World Cup on FOX and Vice President, Production for FOX Sports.

David Neal joined FOX Sports in 2012 and is responsible for all aspects of the FIFA World Cup on FOX and other high-profile events involving the U.S. National teams. Under Neal’s guidance, FOX Sports set new viewership records for its coverage of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2016 Copa America Centenario. FOX Sports’ critically acclaimed coverage of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup delivered over 25 million viewers for the United States’ 5-2 victory over Japan in the final, making it the most-watched soccer game in U.S. television history, men’s or women’s. The 2016 Copa America Centenario delivered four of the top five most-watched men’s soccer telecasts in FS1 history.

Following the successful FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015, Neal focuses on the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and leads FOX Sports’ coverage of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Continuing his career legacy of building exceptional on-air talent rosters, Neal has added standout broadcasters including Fernando Fiore, Aly Wagner, Stu Holden, Kelly Smith and Ari Hingst to the FOX Sports lineup.

Neal also contributed to FOX Sports’ coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII, including shoulder programming on FOX, FS1, the FOX Sports Regional Networks and FOX Sports Digital platforms. His efforts included working closely with the NFL and the New York/New Jersey Super Bowl Host Committee to plan and implement the network’s comprehensive offerings.

Before joining FOX in 2012, Neal spent more than 30 years at NBC Sports where he produced nine Olympics, four NBA Finals, two World Series and a Super Bowl pregame show. Neal produced many memorable NBC Sports live telecasts, including three of the four most-watched NBA Finals games in U.S. television history: Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals — Michael Jordan’s dramatic final game with the Chicago Bulls (No, 1, 35.9 million viewers), Game 5 of the 1998 Finals (No. 3, 30.6 million) and Game 5 of the 1997 Finals (No. 4, 30.3 million viewers).

At Univision from 2011 to 2012, Neal led the successful launch of the Univision Deportes Network cable channel in the spring of 2012. He served as Executive Producer for Univision’s coverage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup and CONMEBOL Copa America in 2011. He also created the popular “Futbol Central” which continues to be one of the network’s most popular studio shows.

At NBC, Neal held dual roles as Executive Vice President of NBC Olympics, responsible for the production, programming and technical engineering departments of NBC’s Olympic division, also serving as Executive Producer of NBC Sports, giving him additional responsibility for all NBC Sports productions. In addition to 33 Sports Emmys and two Primetime Emmys, Neal’s innovative and creative vision was recognized with a Peabody Award for NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in Beijing.

Immediately following his storied 30-year career with NBC Sports, Neal formed David Neal Productions in 2010, producing more than 250 hours of television for varied clients including Univision, NBC, CBS and Velocity.

In September 2008, Neal was named among the Mediaweek 50, an honor that recognizes individuals that advance innovation, revenue and influence in their industry.

Neal graduated from the University of Southern California in 1978 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. His father — the late Roy Neal — was a much-honored and respected NBC News correspondent, producer and executive from 1948-86. David Neal was raised in Woodland Hills, Calif. and resides in Los Angeles with his wife Jen."

[Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.]