Doug Sellars, executive vice president, production and executive producer of Fox Sports Media Group, died on Friday after recently suffering a heart attack, Fox announced Sunday. He was 50.
Toronto native Sellars, who joined Fox Sports in 2000, was instrumental in the formation of Fox's Speed (previously the Speed Channel). Since August, when he was promoted to his most recent position, Sellars had overseen studio and event production for Fox Sports Media Group's numerous channels and entities, including Fox Sports, Speed, Fox Deportes, Fuel TV and FoxSports.com. He also served as an adviser to the Big Ten Network.
Prior to joining Fox Sports, Sellars had been with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for 12 years, during which time he became a senior executive producer for the CBC.
In an on-air tribute Sunday, Fox Sports Media Group chairman David Hill remembered Sellars as "one of the kindest people you will ever know," adding, "[h]e brought a leadership style of teamwork, balance and fluidity with his easygoing personality, self-deprecating sense of humor and firm hand. A leader known for direct approach and honesty, Doug was calm yet assertive."
Sellars is survived by his wife Barb and two children, Tyler and Kelsey.
