RYAN HUNT
Gainesville,FL
Summary
Focused and organized leader with more than 25 years of digital experience, including nine years in executive roles at Sports Illustrated. Expertise in creating unique, engaging content across multiple platforms. Committed to innovation, strategic thinking and fostering strong relationships.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Sports Journalism Lecturer
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL
07.2023 - Current
- Mentored students in academic and professional development, facilitating internships and job placements at leading media organizations such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and ESPN.
- Redesigned College of Journalism's sports & media curriculum to align with current industry standards and prepare students for real-world challenges.
- Taught courses in sports reporting and sports digital editing, focusing on audience behavior, editorial standards, SEO and engagement to enhance student learning.
- Created immersion experiences for students to cover the U.S. Open golf tournament, Wimbledon, MLB Spring Training in Arizona and more.
Founder, Faculty Advisor
Grandstand Magazine
Gainesville, FL
08.2025 - Current
- Directed an editorial staff of more than 20 students, guiding reporting, editing and multimedia production across multiple platforms.
- Defined editorial vision for new student-run sports publication, establishing storytelling voice, standards, and long-term content strategy.
- Oversaw production of 72-page inaugural print issue, guiding concept development to publication.
- Launched grandstandmag.com, providing a digital platform for student journalism and long-form sports storytelling.
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Sports Illustrated
New York
09.2019 - 02.2023
- Developed and executed a new publishing strategy, building and managing a traffic-focused editorial team that elevated Sports Illustrated to No. 2 in comScore monthly unique visitors.
- Partnered with editors to refine SEO strategy and implement best practices, driving more than 60% year-over-year growth in search referrals.
- Oversaw P&L for $100M Sports Illustrated business, managing budgets and expenditures while coordinating key editorial partnerships with Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and other major platforms.
- Led brand editorial and business operations during transition to new ownership, ensuring organizational stability amid significant change.
Managing Editor
SI.com
New York
07.2017 - 09.2019
- Oversaw digital strategy, from daily content planning to real-time news to major-event coverage. Reached 63.6m UVs in Jan. 2022, SI.com's biggest month. Recorded 11 consecutive months of more than 40% YoY growth (June 2021-May 2022).
- Launched digital franchises, including 'Daily Cover,' SI.com's signature piece that secured multiple sponsorships since 2020 debut.
- Directed editorial staff of Sports Illustrated, focusing on digital operations and leading team of over 50 reporters and editors while mentoring and developing young talent.
Executive Editor / Assistant Managing Editor
SI.com
New York
08.2013 - 07.2017
- Oversaw editorial direction for diverse sports content across multiple platforms.
- Managed editorial calendar and digital content operations.
- Led launches of new sections and products, including SI's podcast network, Planet Fútbol and SI Eats.
- Collaborated with SI's product team to develop and launch SI's app and redesign digital properties, improving user experience.
News Director/Senior Editor
SL.com
New York, NY
06.2011 - 07.2013
- Directed newsroom operations to deliver timely news coverage while upholding editorial integrity.
- Oversaw content strategy to align reporting with audience interests and respond to behavioral and industry trends.
- Managed editorial staff to enhance collaboration and sustain a positive work environment.
- Reimagined SI's social-media strategy by implementing new team and directives that grew the brand's social-media following by more than 120% over an 18-month window and increased Facebook and Twitter referrals by 225%.
Homepage Editor
SI.com
New York
05.2001 - 06.2011
- Monitored real-time traffic and audience analytics to inform homepage curation, writing and refining headlines that maximized click-through rates and overall site engagement.
- Maintained and optimized the editorial calendar, aligning story deadlines and publishing cadence to support traffic and engagement goals.
- Coordinated cross-platform initiatives with print, featuring major stories like SI's exclusive reporting on LeBron James' return to Cleveland and Jason Collins' historic coming-out announcement.
Associate Producer
CNNSI.com
02.1998 - 05.2001
- Worked overnight shift, tasked with editing photos, writing photo cutlines, writing story headlines for CNNSI's newly launched digital website.
Education
B.S. - Journalism
University of Florida
Gainesville, Fla05-1997
Skills
- Editorial strategy
- SEO optimization
- Audience engagement
- Innovation
- Digital publishing
- Brand management
- Strategic thinking
- Team leadership
Honor Awards
- Sports Emmy Award, 2018, Outstanding Digital Innovation: Capturing Everest
- UF College of Journalism and Communications Undergraduate Teacher of the Year, 2026
Timeline
Founder, Faculty Advisor
Grandstand Magazine
08.2025 - Current
Sports Journalism Lecturer
University Of Florida
07.2023 - Current
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Sports Illustrated
09.2019 - 02.2023
Managing Editor
SI.com
07.2017 - 09.2019
Executive Editor / Assistant Managing Editor
SI.com
08.2013 - 07.2017
News Director/Senior Editor
SL.com
06.2011 - 07.2013
Homepage Editor
SI.com
05.2001 - 06.2011
Associate Producer
CNNSI.com
02.1998 - 05.2001
B.S. - Journalism
University of Florida