TORONTO – Former CBC Hockey Night in Canada exec Doug Sellars, who joined Fox Sports in 2000, died Friday of an apparent heart attack while playing a recreational hockey game.
Toronto-native Sellars, who was promoted to executive vp at Fox Sports Media Group in August 2011, was a former executive producer of CBC Sports and spent 12 years at the public broadcaster.
“While unfortunately I didn’t know Doug personally, I understand he had a wonderful disposition and his calm and kind way made him a gifted leader, respected by everyone who had the pleasure of working for him,” Kirstine Stewart, executive vp of CBC Television, said in a statement.
Sellars oversaw studio and event production at the Fox Sports Media Group, including Fox Sports, Fox Sports Regional Networks and Speed, a cable sports channel he helped launch.
Previously, Sellars was responsible for Fox Sports’ regional sports production arm.
John Shannon, a former executive producer of Hockey Night in Canada, paid tribute to Sellars on his Twitter account, insisting he was a “consummate pro. Since moving to Fox, Doug was a great advocate for the NHL. Doug didn’t just make stars, HE was a star!”
He is survived by his wife Barb Sellars, and two children.
