John Heidtke, Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX Sports Southwest

john heidtke is a television executive who has worked in the sports industry for over 30 years. He currently serves as the general manager of FOX Sports Southwest, which reaches 10 million cable and satellite TV homes in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Heidtke joined the network, which formerly was known as Home Sports Entertainment, in 1989 to help guide it through its conversion from a subscription pay channel to a basic cable service. He is currently the senior vice president and general manager of FS Southwest, which holds broadcast rights to the Rangers, Mavericks, Stars, Thunder and Pelicans.

Early Life and Education

A child’s early childhood is a crucial phase of development. It’s when they establish their social skills, self-esteem and perception of the world.

During this time, children also develop their cognitive abilities. This is why UNESCO strongly supports quality ECE that promotes holistic development and gender equality.

There are many great minds who have helped shape early childhood education and have provided a greater understanding of the early learning process. One of them is Erikson, who believed that all psychosocial stages of a child’s development need to be met in order for the child to grow successfully.

Another is Friedrich Froebel, who believed that young children should be taught through play in addition to more conventional methods. He is credited with being the founder of kindergarten and his theories are still used today.

Professional Career

Heidtke has been one of the most influential regional sports network executives over the past two decades. He has served as senior vice president and general manager of FOX Sports Southwest, overseeing a five-state region that reaches over 10 million cable and satellite television homes in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

During his years at FOX, Heidtke has developed strategic programming and marketing partnerships with professional teams, collegiate athletic departments and blue-chip companies. He also serves on the board of directors of the National Sports Marketing Network, the SMU Athletic Forum, the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Heidtke is a native Texan who began his career as a sports anchor/reporter for KBTX-TV in Bryan, Texas. He also spent three years as regional sales manager for Chicago-based regional sports network SportsVision.

Achievements and Honors

As Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX Sports Southwest, Heidtke oversees the Network’s operations in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. He is widely regarded as one of the SouthwestAC/ s leading sports executives and is credited for his leadership of FSN Southwest.

Heidtke has forged a career that is built on his deep understanding of the regional sports television industry and ability to develop and manage partnerships with professional teams, collegiate athletic directors, conference commissioners and major blue-chip companies. He has also been actively involved in the communities served by FOX Sports Southwest and is a board member of the National Sports Marketing Network, SMU Athletic Forum, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association and the Dallas All Sports Association.

A native of Amarillo, Heidtke holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Texas A&M University and is a die-hard Aggie. He currently lives in Coppell, Texas, with his wife, Sandy, and their children, Heath and twins Hannah and Hunter.

Personal Life

Heidtke, who currently serves as the senior vice president and general manager of FOX Sports Southwest, is one of the most successful regional sports network executives of the past two decades. He has forged significant partnerships with professional team owners, collegiate athletic directors and conference commissioners.

He also serves as a board member of the National Sports Marketing Network, SMU Athletic Forum and the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. He holds a bachelor of science in broadcast journalism from Texas A&M University.

Heidtke has a lot of experience in the television world, and is one of the most knowledgeable people in the industry when it comes to sports media. Heidtke is leaving FOX Sports Southwest at the end of June to take a job with Learfield Communications, which owns the rights to Texas A&M athletics, and will be charged with creating partnerships within the university as well as on-campus collaborations with businesses and industry.