The longtime chief of ad sales at a major broadcast network is stepping down, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

After a 40-year career, Jon Nesvig, who is president of Fox’s ad sales unit, is retiring at the end of the year.

According to the story, Nesvig said, in a statement, "It’s been an incredible run, but it’s time to call it a day. I’ve been extremely fortunate to work in an exciting industry and to deal with many very talented people, both as co-workers and clients. Now I’m looking forward to enjoying my grandchildren and trying to improve my golf game."

The story says Nesvig has been at Fox 21 years: "Nesvig joined the network as senior vice president of sales in 1989. Before that, he worked for 15 years in various sales roles at NBC. He has also worked at ABC Radio Network, Independent Media Services in New York and the Benton and Bowles advertising agency. He’s served on the boards of the International Radio and Television Society and the Ad Council."

The story added, " ‘For the last 5 years I’ve used every trick I could think of to get Jon to stay,’ said Tony Vinciquerra, chairman and CEO, Fox Networks Group. ‘But when we discussed it recently and he said it was time, I had no arguments left. For over 20 years he’s given us his very best, and now it’s time to share him with his wife, Hanneke, the girls and his grandkids.’ "