Oprah Winfrey Network President Jumps Ship To The WSL

The WSL continues to build a world-killer staff in its quest to create the greatest surf media empire the world has ever seen.

Coming in hot and fast in the wake of its former-Disney-exec hire, Nick Franklin, as President of the KSWC , and the departure of Chief Commercial Officer, Beth Greve, for an as-yet undisclosed new career, the WSL announced today that it has picked up Erik Logan for the position of President of Content, Media, and WSL Studios.

What exactly will the President of Content, Media, and WSL Studios do, you ask?

Well, according to the WSL:

“Logan’s role at the WSL will include the delivery of all live and non-live content and media, in addition to global distribution across all the WSL’s owned and operated channels, as well as its partners. Logan will also oversee the creation of WSL Studios, which will deliver a broad range of high quality scripted and unscripted surf and lifestyle content. He will also lead a new direct-to-consumer membership offering, which will in the future become a key aspect of the WSL’s world class content portfolio.”

On its face the hire seems like a damn solid decision. Logan has spent the last seven years serving as president of the Oprah Winfrey Network, part of the global powerhouse that is Harpo Productions.

“With Logan at the helm, OWN has become the leading cable network for African American women and has expanded its slate with a focus on premium scripted programming created by prominent African American storytellers with hits such as Queen Sugar, Greenleaf and Love Is __. ” Read Deadline

Oprah Winfrey doesn’t fuck around either, so it’s probably safe to assume that Logan will likely be very good at his job.

In addition to his professional bona fides, Logan has served on the Board of Directors of USA Surfing and the National Governing Body of the United States Olympic Committee. He is also co-founder of Shred and Speed LLC, a SUP brand, and part owner of Nikau Kai, a “waterman” shop in Manhattan Beach, California.

It’s very tempting to mock the guy for being a sweeper, and I’m sure plenty of people will rush to do it. But, in this writer’s opinion, paddle doofus or not, it’s great that Logan has an actual connection to the ocean and will, hopefully, bring an ocean lover’s perspective to the type of programming the WSL plans to offer.

Which isn’t to say we shouldn’t make fun of him for riding an SUP. That shit’s fair game. Just like it’s okay to make fun of me for riding high performance longboards. Or for me to laugh at all you dorks struggling to make sections on that high-end potato chip you don’t know how to ride.