Highly accomplished media attorney John Oliverius named Vice President of Business Affairs & Distribution for Pac-12 Networks

14-year Veteran Will Oversee All Business Transactions and Legal Affairs with MSOs

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. (July 29, 2014) – John Oliverius, a highly accomplished attorney specializing in content licensing and distribution, has been named Vice President of Business Affairs and Distribution for Pac-12 Networks, it was announced today. 

Oliverius is tasked with managing business transactions and legal affairs with the affiliate partners of Pac-12 Networks. He is based in San Francisco and will report to Woodie Dixon, General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Business Affairs for the Pac-12 Conference.

“John is well versed in developing distribution strategies and negotiating agreements with affiliates, which makes him a perfect fit as we continue to grow,” said Pac-12 Networks President Lydia Murphy-Stephans. “There is no question that we will benefit from his relationships and vast experience in the media industry. He immediately strengthens our team and we are delighted to have him.”

”I’m incredibly excited to join Pac-12 Networks,” Oliverius said. “The networks are top-notch, with a truly passionate fan base and a vast potential for growth. I’m thrilled to be here.”

Oliverius comes to Pac-12 Networks from A+E Networks, where he was Vice President, Distribution Counsel. During that time, he managed the west coast distribution legal team and worked on all affiliate matters and digital distribution transactions, including the launch of A&E’s "TV Everywhere" service. Prior to A+E, Oliverius was Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at Viacom Media Networks, where he represented the Content Distribution and Marketing Department on national, regional, international and online distribution deals.

Oliverius began his legal career in 2000 at Greenberg Traurig LLP in New York, where he was an associate in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications Practice. After four years he moved to NBC Universal where he served as a Cable Counsel, assisting with affiliate sales and new media transactions for NBC Universal Cable. Oliverius became the Director of Business and Legal Affairs for NBC Universal Television Distribution in 2006, a role he held for three years. During that time, he provided legal support for domestic and international licensing of NBC Universal’s film and television properties across various media.

Oliverius received his law degree from Fordham University, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Fordham Journal of Corporate and Financial Law. He did his undergraduate work at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and studied Mandarin Chinese at Peking University in China.