Lunch with a VIP - Jeff Behnke, executive producer, Turner Sports (exclusive online content)

Tim Darnell

May 1, 2008

Web site exclusive - Jeff Behnke describes his career

Now in its 24th year of broadcasting the NBA on TNT, Turner Sports is in the process of bringing the league's entire digital operation under its roof.

"It's going to launch sometime in the fall," says Behnke, who has spent more than 20 years with Turner Sports and 27 overall in sports television. "We've expanded our partnership with the NBA to take over the NBA League Pass, NBA TV, video on demand and NBA.com. We're working with the NBA to produce, market and brand it. They were looking for experts in the field to run these properties, and we've had an incredible relationship with them."

Behnke oversees all aspects of production, including live remotes, studio broadcasts and talent services for sports programming on TNT and TBS, which includes Major League Baseball, NASCAR, the NBA and professional golf.

"It's a never-ending cycle," he says. "As soon as we start baseball, we're right into 40 games over 40 nights of the NBA playoffs. As soon as that's over, we're at the British Open, and then it's six weeks of NASCAR."

About the restaurant
STATS' main claim to restaurant PR-dom is the fact that  it is the nation's first location (and only the second worldwide) to use new technology that allows patrons to pour their own beer. Seven tables and 10 private rooms use computerized, point-of-sale systems that keep you from having to make endless (upon endless) walks to the bar.

And the menus are really cool, too. You'll find a complete selection of wines and beers (of course); signature bar food (think tacos, burgers, etc.); as well as entrees such as pan-roasted rainbow trout, barbecue bacon-wrapped shrimp and cheddar grits, and wood-grilled pork chops.