SUMMARY  

Senior Executive with an 18-year track record in the sports industry, with an entrepreneurial drive and operational mindset to start, build and drive revenue. Proven record of generating $100M+ in revenue across top-tier U.S. markets and managing multimillion dollar P&L budgets. A collaborative leader dedicated to fostering high performance cultures, implementing sales and operational strategies that propel both top and bottom-line results.

LEAGUE AWARDS & PROJECTS

Dallas Wings: WNBA Partnership Performance of the Year - under my leadership (2019)

Philadelphia 76ers: NBA New Business Membership Sales - under my leadership (2012)

Dallas Cowboys:  Cowboys Stadium & World HQ (The Star) Projects

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

UFL                                                                                                               

Vice President, Team Business & Event Operations (Aug. 2022-Present)

• Reporting to Chief Business Officer & SVP of Team Services  

• Tasked with strategically targeting, positioning, and nurturing the team for commercial success on behalf of the league and key stakeholders.

• Accountable for driving the overall team business success (i.e. – marketing, ticketing, commercial sales, communication and CPG) for one of the eight UFL Teams;

o   increased revenue 86% YOY by strategically leveraging consumer insight data, product development and price scaling  

o   drove operational efficiency by eliminating unneeded venue and event expenses via venue settlements

o   integrated into established youth sports platforms (i.e. – Under the Lights, USA Football) and events driving brand awareness, community impact and revenue outcomes  

• Led the XFL legacy MLK-Service Day community initiative for the entire league, players and coaches

• Created league best practices and revenue drivers through product development across sponsorships, tickets and community engagement     

SEATTLE MARINERS                                                                                  

Vice President, Corporate Partnerships (Jan 2021-May 2022)

• Report to Senior Vice President of Sales & President

• Maintained unwavering commitment to enhancing profitability, innovating revenue generation, streamlining operational costs, and pinpointing efficiencies that directly contributed to tangible value creation.

• Spearheaded a remarkable 30% growth in the department’s partnership portfolio revenue within just 17 months.

• Achieved a substantial 29% surge in average partner investments through the development of a cutting-edge partnership hierarchy model.

• Successfully met the department’s budget goal for 2021, demonstrating fiscal responsibility and effective financial management.

• On track to surpass the department ‘s budget goal for 2022, having already attained 97% of the goal as of May 2022, accompanied by an impressive 22% year-over-year revenue growth.

• Pioneered innovative concepts in fan engagement and LED technology at T-Mobile Park, delivering an enhanced fan experience.   

• Forged valuable blue-chip brand partnerships in previously untapped categories, thereby significantly increasing the Mariners’ brand presence in the market.

• Implemented a comprehensive department overhaul, optimizing roles and functions to support business development, client services, and research.

• Instituted other operational efficiencies, to include, but not limited to: 

  • Executive Reporting & Revenue Allocation

  • Client Management Workflow 

  • Cross-Department Liaisons 

  • Contracts & Collections   

  • Rules of Engagement with media partners

• Incorporated the first comprehensive commission structure for the Corporate Partnership Department 

 DALLAS WINGS                                                                                     

Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships (2017-2021)

• Reported to Ownership

• Dual SVP property role for the WNBA & NLL (14th Expansion Team)

• Charged with maximizing profitability, cultivating, and building relationships with local, regional, and national brands (i.e., insurance, healthcare, casinos, and banking)

• Led efforts to secure the team’s first jersey patch and marquee partnership – currently the largest deal in the WNBA and 2nd largest deal in league history ($1.1M)

• Produced YOY double-digit revenue growth while increasing the team’s sponsorship portfolio by 68%

• Assisted team’s P&L and managed budgets while proactively partnering with internal executives and key stakeholders across all departments and agencies

• Leveraged executive relationships to uncover strategic opportunities and ownership alliances

DALLAS COWBOYS                                                                                       

Manager, Corporate Partnerships (2015-2017)

• Reported to Senior Vice President and EVP of Operations

• Responsible for identifying and securing six-figure plus multi-year corporate partnerships, while maintaining client and agency relationships 

• Managed entire sales process through developing leads and prospects, presentations, negotiations, asset allocations and deal components

• Managed a $12M contractual sponsorship portfolio (including New Era Cap, Jack in The Box, P&G, Orthotics, Red Bull, Tommy John, Lucchese and Jani-King)

• Exceeded partnership revenue goals YOY ($1.2M) by seeking new and non-traditional categories and client upsell efforts

• Increased Jack in The Box local and regional promotional redemptions lift by 42% (YOY) or $150K in sales through integrated/MOE assets

• Secured a $1.2M deal with New Era in incremental revenue by developing strategic brand integrations around experiential & digital content

• Closed a new category partner that entailed a marketing and license partnership deal worth $750K with Tommy John Underwear

• Secured a $1.2M deal with Orthofix by cultivating key relationships with other partners and internal marketing colleagues

LEARFIELD SPORTS – UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA                                   

Senior Sales, Corporate Partnerships (2014-2015)

• Reported to GM

• Sold comprehensive sports marketing partnerships around multimedia platforms and property signage

• Managed a corporate partnership portfolio, categories: banking, healthcare, car  rental, real estate, and oil transportation

• Increased partnership renewal revenue by 36%, by navigating multiple cross-property relationships to secure corporate sponsorships

• Generated $185K in new business revenue in the first three months on the job

• Fulfilled extensive branding, visibility and logistics for all partnerships affiliated with OU’s Official Tailgateparty presented by AT&T

• Fulfilled all partnership proposals, contract auditing and client activation

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Director of Ticket Sales (2012-2013)

• Reported to Senior Vice President

• Managed a $30M revenue department, along with 30+ Account Executives and 3 Sales Managers

• Increased total revenue by 38% by providing strategic direction on maximizing existing revenue opportunities while developing new revenue verticals

• Awarded NBA Most Membership Sales - $5 million in new business revenue (150% increase in membership sales) under my leadership

• Revamped department’s CRM sales process to enhance sales and marketing efforts:

  • Prospect Targeting 

  • Sales Activity 

  • Revenue Forecasting 

  • Inventory Management 

  • Product Development 

• Implemented business processes to create efficiencies in the sales and customer service disciplines

• Developed sales events with strategic marketing campaigns for multiple territories

NEW YORK YANKEES

Sales Manager, Season Ticket Sales & Service (2010-2012)

• Reported to Senior Vice President 

• Managed and developed 20+ Account Executives to identify corporate clients through strategic prospecting, cultivating relationships and presenting solutions for season tickets, group tickets and hospitality components

• Managed the growth of a $19 million membership account base (90% renewal rate YOY)

• Generated over $16 million dollars in new business revenue by focusing on strategic lead generation and value proposition

• Secured $42 million dollars in contractual membership revenue through inventory re-valuation and price scaling

• Assisted in the rollout and implementation of Microsoft CRM Dynamics

• Leadership Development: several reps promoted to corporate positions under my leadership

 DALLAS COWBOYS

Sales Consultant (2007-2010)

• Reported to Sales Manager

• Sold 30-year contractual licenses on a national, regional, and local level to corporations and high net worth individuals for the Dallas Cowboys Stadium Project

• Responsible for prospecting, setting meetings, creating proposals, and presenting to the close of new and renewed business

• Awarded - Top 5 Sales Consultant out of 38 consultants

• Awarded - Top Account management renewal rate – 97%

• Generated over $22 million in contractual sales revenue in three years (Avg. $7M YOY)

• Recommended to be the Sales Manager for the New York Yankees by EVP – Chad Estis

TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY                                  

Assistant Director of Athletics Marketing & Sales (2006-2007)

• Reported to Senior Director of Marketing

• Managed the development and implementation of comprehensive marketing, ticket sales and marketing campaigns for the athletics department and all intercollegiate athletic teams

• Responsible for revenue projection, lead generation and increasing brand recognition/awareness

• Conducted research and analyzed data as needed to formulate marketing plans and revenue projections

EDUCATION

 TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY LUBBOCK, TX

Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (focus in Business Administration) 2004

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies  2002

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 Extracurricular Involvement

• Shameka’s Angels HIV & AIDS Foundation: President

• D Magazine Diversity & Inclusion Network Group

• Kappa Alpha Psi DFW Alumni Chapter