Neil Leibman has stepped down as chairman of Rangers Sports Media and Entertainment, the Texas Rangers announced on 10 August 2026, citing his intention to pursue other business opportunities. The departure is effective immediately.
What changed — and who covers the work
Leibman, an original member of the ownership group that acquired the Rangers in August 2010, moved into the chair role after leaving his positions as team president and chief operating officer in January 2025. That year he was charged with spearheading the club’s newly formed media and entertainment unit, which has built an in-house broadcast operation and digital products under brands including Rangers Sports Network and REV Entertainment.
The organisation’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategy has been prominent. The Rangers’ DTC service initially launched on virtual platform Victory+, before a midseason shift this year introduced streaming via the service BZZR. Leibman is listed as an investor in BZZR, though team representatives indicated his board exit was not driven by that connection.
“[Leibman] will be focusing on other business opportunities,” the team said in its announcement.
For now, the Rangers say existing staff will absorb Leibman’s responsibilities. Day-to-day operations on the broadcast side have been overseen by Angie Swint, senior vice-president of broadcasting, while the REV Entertainment unit has been led by its president, Sean Decker. The team also signalled the Davis family — owners led by Ray Davis — could take on a greater operational role as structures evolve.
What the move means for ownership and governance
Leibman will return his ownership stake in the club but will not remain on the Rangers’ board, the announcement said. He had previously served as chairman of the Rangers Ownership Committee from 2013 and worked with owner Ray Davis on major projects including the deal to build Globe Life Field and the Texas Live! entertainment complex.
The sides reportedly parted on good terms, according to the team’s statement. No immediate replacement for the chair role was named; the Rangers said any additional changes to the management structure will be addressed in due course.
- Tenure with Rangers: Ownership group member since August 2010
- Recent roles: President and COO until January 2025; then chair of Rangers Sports Media and Entertainment
- Successors in practice: Angie Swint (broadcasting), Sean Decker (REV Entertainment)
| Role | Current lead |
|---|---|
| Broadcasting (SVP) | Angie Swint |
| REV Entertainment (President) | Sean Decker |
The move comes as the Rangers continue to expand their in-house media footprint and experiment with DTC distribution models, a sector that has drawn considerable investment and strategic change across US sports. By centralising production and launching platforms such as Rangers Sports Network and REV Entertainment, the club aimed to capture greater control over content, sponsorship and fan engagement.
Leibman’s role in developing those initiatives was a significant chapter in the franchise’s recent history. While the announcement paints his exit as part of a new focus on other ventures, it leaves several practical questions about governance and the future strategic direction of the Rangers’ media operations. Team officials said that any further management adjustments will be revealed later.
For now, fans and commercial partners will be watching how the Rangers manage the transition internally and whether the organisation maintains momentum on streaming distribution and its broader entertainment ambitions without the executive who helped launch the effort.
