Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Reading, Playing and Coaching Soccer, Hiking and spending time with my family.
Timeline
Generic

Steven Powell

Summary

Award winning, experienced sales and marketing executive with an extensive background in representing rights holders in Europe and North America.


Team oriented, collaborative leadership/management style, combined with a genuine drive to mentor and provide career development opportunities for team members.


Proven track record of increasing year over year new sales and client retention, resulting in an ROI for clients and positive financial results for the rights holder.


Regions: United Kingdom and United States.


Personal: "My career in the professional sports industry has spanned over 25 years and two continents. I remain very passionate and driven in my pursuit of proving fans the best entertainment value for money and our commercial partners the most innovative and impactful sports marketing platforms in the business."

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience

Work History

Vice President of Business Development

For Soccer
06.2023 - Current
  • Collaborated with leadership team to develop a new and innovative corporate partnerships strategy and plan to efficiently and effectively bring to market, new entitlement opportunities for brands.
  • Personally lead all new business development efforts for firm including owned and operated property assets and agency services.
  • Assessed current asset rate card and presentations and modified and redesigned where required.

Chief Revenue Officer

Oakland Roots Soccer - United Soccer League (USL)
11.2020 - 06.2023
  • Responsible for training, recruiting and leading clubs ticketing and corporate partnerships teams. Includes personal oversight of two (2) Directors, Two (2) Managers and leadership support of Four (4) Account Executives.
  • Developed a new partnerships strategy, plan and architecture embracing the club's unique purpose-based model and featuring entitlement of several community driven initiatives.
  • Personally prospected, presented and closed partnership agreements resulting in cash revenue growth of over 2000% in 16 months, including the initial sale and renewal of the clubs first cash jersey/presenting sponsorship generating over $4.7M over term and establishing a new league record.
  • Negotiated the clubs first healthcare partnership resulting in a multi-year, seven-figure cash partnership.
  • Built dynamic ticketing sales team that established new club records for memberships, and group tickets and have personally led the ideation process of creating and selling out several new premium ticketing products, including field seating.
  • Negotiated clubs first English and Spanish language linear broadcast agreement resulting in a rights fee and a sell out of all shared on-air inventory.
  • Served on the clubs technical committee providing support and expertise to the technical department in regards to player transfer, coach contracts, training facilities, tours, etc.
  • Awarded the 2022 USL Championship Most Improved Club for Ticket Sales Growth and Performance.
  • Awarded the 2022 USL Championship Most Improved Club for Corporate Partnerships Growth and Performance.

Chief Commercial Officer

The Los Angeles Marathon
09.2018 - 05.2020
  • Created and executed a sales and marketing plan that leveraged the company's digital and event assets, including local and national TV, digital and social and community to drive consumer and partner engagement and event registrations and sales.
  • Established a new event record for largest race field in 35-year history of Los Angeles Marathon.
  • Worked with Director of Broadcasting to create a richer and more defined media strategy by exploring integration of traditional and OTT media platforms and partnerships that can assist in the globalization of the Los Angeles Marathon brand. Broadcast of race were nominated for two local Emmy Awards.
  • Developed and implemented advertising and promotional plans with marketing team that generated sell outs of four (4) events including the Los Angeles Marathon which is the 4th largest in the USA, 9th in the world.
  • Generated non title partner revenue 100% higher than any other time in event history.
  • Directly negotiated a segmented beer category and an automotive partnership that resulted in a 100% higher revenue yield than all previous years.

Executive Vice President

Houston Dynamo
07.2006 - 09.2018
  • Partnered with Team President/Chief Executive to develop and maintain operating budget and write annual business plan.


  • Responsible for managing club's commercial sponsorship team. Personal oversight of Two (2) directors and Ten (10) commercial staff.


  • Developed and implemented a new clubs and stadium sponsorship strategy in 2011/12.


  • Served as local negotiator on Ten (10) Year Stadium Naming Rights partnership with BBVA Compass that generates $23m over term.


  • Led negotiating efforts with Nine (9) Founding Partners (3 years each) and several new key club partners. Total sponsorship revenue generated over term: $25,000,000. Achieved growth of 700% in six years.


  • Personally, sourced and sold three (3) team primary shirt sponsorships, representing new income of approx. $20m over term.


  • Negotiated new multi-year training kit and title sponsorship of Athletes with Disabilities team for $2.6m over three years with gasoline brand, 76.


  • Renewed new Import and Domestic Beer multi-year partnerships with Budweiser and Heineken.


  • Developed new VIP Club asset and negotiated enhanced multi-year partnership with Audi.


  • Negotiated new soft drink partnership with Pepsi generating over $1.75m (Oct 2016) over term.


  • Winner of “2012 Major League Soccer Commercial Executive of the Year” award.


  • Winner of “2008 Major League Soccer Sponsorship Team of the Year” award.


  • Created and implemented ticket sales and pricing plan for general seating, executive suites and premium seats for new stadium.


  • Increased general season tickets 100% and sold out all suites and premium seat products in first year of stadium (2012).


  • Created customer service/retention plan and oversaw team that managed all season ticket accounts and CRM.


  • Developed and oversaw ticket sales team plan and operations, resulting in sales of over $40m in ticket revenue from 2012 – 2016.


  • Led Major League Soccer in total group sales generated (90,000 seats) in 2009.


  • Developed sales plan and managed local sales activities related to 2010 Major League Soccer All Star game resulting in record attendance and gross receipts (70,000). **Match attendance ranked 4th amongst all professional sports All Star games in US History.

Vice-President - Ticketing

New York New Jersey Metrostars / Red Bulls
06.2005 - 07.2006
  • Managed team of Twenty-Two (22) sales, ticket operations and customer service professionals dedicated to the sale and service of all season ticket accounts.


  • Developed new corporate ticket sales strategy producing an overall increase in season ticket sales of 124% and the highest season ticket sales in Six (6) years


  • Led sales team to second highest opening day attendance in five years – 35,500 vs. New England, April 8th 2006.

Director of Ticket Sales

San Jose Earthquakes
10.2003 - 06.2005
  • Hired, trained and supervised nine (9) account executives that sold Earthquakes season tickets, group tickets and corporate hospitality packages.


  • Established new club record for single game attendance - 27,030 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, September 25th 2004


  • Set new club record for both Group Sales and Season Ticket Sales (2004).


  • Nominated for Major League Soccer's “Ticket Sales Team of the Year” (2004)

Commercial Director

Hibernian Football Club - Scottish Premiership
03.2002 - 09.2003
  • Responsible for managing Scottish Premier League club's entire commercial sales operations.


  • Managed team's jersey partnership with Danish brewer, Carlsberg.


  • Created Hibernian Football Clubs, “Your Game, Your Club” sales and marketing plan campaign specifically designed to re-focus club's sales activities towards supporter loyalty and customer care.


  • Oversaw Non-Gameday Conference and Banqueting sales and operations and assisted with subsequent partnership with Lindley Catering.


  • Liaised with local key media sources to generate free publicity to market merchandise, tickets and partner relationships.


  • Oversaw design and re-launch of club's new website – www.hibernianfc.co.uk and new match programme.


  • Developed Scotland's first ever-outbound ticket sales team, established to generate corporate group and season ticket sales.


  • Managed merchandise sales division. Established new club record for gross sales and net contributions.

Chief Operating Officer

World Indoor Soccer League
03.2000 - 03.2002
  • Designed and implemented league corporate marketing program. Produced league's first ever cash sponsorships.


  • Responsible for development and management of entire league office budget and single entity league player payroll.


  • Administered league relationship with USSF and FIFA including referee program. Reviewed and approved all player registrations and contracts.


  • Nominated for Street & Smith Sports Business Journal “Forty under Forty” award for countries top sports executives under the age of 40.

Vice President - Ticket Sales

Tampa Bay Mutiny - Major League Soccer
10.1997 - 02.2000
  • Hired, Trained and supervised eight account executives that sold Mutiny season tickets, group tickets and corporate hospitality packages.


  • Developed and implemented corporate ticket sales initiatives resulting in 200% increase in season ticket sales within two years. Created Major League Soccer's original “membership” program.


  • Ranked #1 in Major League Soccer - new season ticket sales (1999)


  • Established new club records for single game attendance & gate receipts- 27,957 vs. New York/New Jersey Metrostars, Sept.13 1998


  • Nominated for Major League Soccer's “Ticket Sales Team of the Year” (1999)

General Manager

Tampa Bay Terror Pro Soccer - NPSL
06.1996 - 08.1997
  • Created and implemented budget and club business plan.


  • Developed and sold corporate ticket and sponsorship packages.


  • Negotiated player contracts & renewal of stadium lease agreement.


  • Led 2nd year franchise to play-offs with league's smallest operating budget.

Director - Sponsorships and Game Operations

Wichita Wings Pro Soccer
04.1993 - 06.1996
  • Led sales team in new sponsorship revenue
  • Oversaw all game operations & sponsorship promotions
  • Developed marketing plan and operating budget for Wings Soccer Camps.
  • Sold title sponsorship to Budweiser and managed 1996 National Professional Soccer League All-Star Game operations and local sales. *Game was highest rated NPSL TV broadcast (ESPN2) in history.

Skills

  • Leadership
  • Plan Development and Execution
  • New Business Development
  • Problem Solving
  • Research
  • Internal and External Communications

Reading, Playing and Coaching Soccer, Hiking and spending time with my family.

Reading, Playing and Coaching Soccer, Hiking and spending time with my family

Timeline

Vice President of Business Development

For Soccer
06.2023 - Current

Chief Revenue Officer

Oakland Roots Soccer - United Soccer League (USL)
11.2020 - 06.2023

Chief Commercial Officer

The Los Angeles Marathon
09.2018 - 05.2020

Executive Vice President

Houston Dynamo
07.2006 - 09.2018

Vice-President - Ticketing

New York New Jersey Metrostars / Red Bulls
06.2005 - 07.2006

Director of Ticket Sales

San Jose Earthquakes
10.2003 - 06.2005

Commercial Director

Hibernian Football Club - Scottish Premiership
03.2002 - 09.2003

Chief Operating Officer

World Indoor Soccer League
03.2000 - 03.2002

Vice President - Ticket Sales

Tampa Bay Mutiny - Major League Soccer
10.1997 - 02.2000

General Manager

Tampa Bay Terror Pro Soccer - NPSL
06.1996 - 08.1997

Director - Sponsorships and Game Operations

Wichita Wings Pro Soccer
04.1993 - 06.1996
Steven Powell