WESTPORT — The chairman of ESPN will receive the first “Innovator of the Year Award” from StartUp Westport on April 30 at the Westport Library.

Jimmy Pitaro, who has been with the all-sports media brand since 2018 and chairman since 2023, will be honored at an event starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, at the library, 20 Jesup Road.

Tickets, which cost $25, can be purchased in advance online by clicking here.

StartUp Westport, an initiative promoting entrepreneurship in the local technology and innovation fields, is launching the award to recognize “a member of the greater Westport community whose work exemplifies the ability to embrace opportunities, forward-looking ideas, or technologies that shape the future for the betterment of the lives of others,” according to the library’s announcement.

At the award ceremony, Pitaro will be interviewed by Mike Greenberg, a Westport resident and longtime ESPN personality.

As chairman of ESPN, Pitaro oversees one of the core brands of the Walt Disney Co. During his tenure, the network has secured contracts with sports franchises like NFL and UFC, overseen growth in ESPN’s digital and social media, and spearheaded ESPN+, a multi-sport direct-to-consumer video service, according to the program announcement.

“We could not be more excited to present this award to Jimmy for his outstanding contributions to the greater Westport community and beyond,” Cliff Sirlin, president of StartUp Westport, said in the publicity release.

“ESPN brings joy and excitement into the homes of hundreds of millions of people around the globe every day. Jimmy’s dynamic leadership and groundbreaking initiatives make him a worthy recipient of this honor,” he added.

For questions, call the Westport Library at 203-291-4800.