Who's Who
The 2026 Who’s Who in Sports
Notable New Yorkers at the intersection of athletics and politics
City & State presents the 2026 Who's Who in Sports. Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment; Yves-Richard Blanc, Blanc Photographie; Nexstar
A walk-off home run. A buzzer-beater swishing through the hoop. A desperation heave for the game-winning touchdown. These consequential moments get us hooked on sports – and there have been plenty lately, from the riveting Winter Olympics to the rise in popularity of the WNBA.
Now, New York is taking center stage. The Knicks have roared back to the NBA Finals, and Game 3 will have Madison Square Garden rocking. The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway later this week, with plenty of matches scheduled at nearby MetLife Stadium, temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium – including the much-anticipated final on July 19.
What does that have to do with politics and government? Plenty! Ticket prices and processes are under scrutiny from politicians. Legislative changes made New York a sports betting hub – and more legislation may be needed to maintain the integrity of professional and amateur sports. Stadium funding, land use battles and debates over the costs and benefits of hosting major sporting events are perennial issues.
City & State’s Who’s Who in Sports highlights the key players at the intersection of athletics and politics. The list, written and researched with journalist Sean Okula, features executives, administrators, officials, attorneys, advocates and others shaping the future of sports in New York and beyond.
Avella Jr., Mike
Among the consortium of lobbying firms retained by Mets owner Steve Cohen in his effort to bring the Metropolitan Park proposal to fruition was Dickinson & Avella. Mike Avella Jr., a big Mets fan himself, pushed state legislators to pass the parkland alienation package required to turn the parking lot at Citi Field into a Hard Rock casino and entertainment complex, while lobbying for other team interests like reforming the ticket reselling process. The firm also works with the Yankees, Rivers Casino Schenectady, the Nassau Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council.
Bailey, Jamaal
State Sen. Jamaal Bailey has made youth sports funding a legislative priority. The influential lawmaker has a bill in committee that would authorize up to 2% of revenue from mobile sports gambling to be used for youth athletics, while also introducing bills related to collective bargaining rights for college athletes and emergency healthcare training for youth coaches. Gov. Kathy Hochul last year signed into law his measure allowing athletic trainers licensed in places other than New York to practice in the state. The Bronx Democratic Party chair also organizes a weekly game of basketball in Albany.
Ball, Michael
The Buffalo Bills will start the 2026 season at the new Highmark Stadium, named after Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Michael Ball, a former Buffalo regional director for Empire State Development, drives community engagement strategy for the health insurance provider, which partnered with the Bills to fight food insecurity following the Tops supermarket mass shooting on Buffalo’s East Side. Highmark also promotes CPR training and defibrillators in public libraries, community fitness programs and has expanded the Highmark Community Hero Program. Highmark and the Buffalo Sabres have recognized local school mental health counselors and supported adaptive athletics.
Balsam, Jodi
Jodi Balsam, a former NFL counsel for operations and litigation, has been a professor of clinical law at Brooklyn Law School since 2014. In December, she and the institution announced the BLS Sports Law Clinic, which provides students with hands-on experience managing all aspects of cases related to athletes and sports organizations. Balsam frequently makes media appearances and publishes on sports law topics. She also serves as an arbitrator at FAIR Sports, which settles disputes in cases related to name, image and likeness compensation in college athletics.
Baruchowitz, Mitchell
New York City’s northern suburbs have a professional soccer team to call their own thanks to Mitchell Baruchowitz, the principal owner and CEO of Westchester Soccer Club, which joined the third-tier USL League One as an expansion team in 2025. Baruchowitz is a Westchester County resident with a background in law who spent time in investment banking and private equity with a focus on the cannabis industry. His soccer club started a player development academy and its roster features players from athletic programs around the greater New York area.
Baskin, April
State Sen. April Baskin sponsored, along with Assembly Member Nily Rozic, legislation that would require entertainment and sports venues that have received public funding to implement “fan-friendly concession pricing policies,” although it stalled in committee this session. A Buffalo native, Baskin last summer saw the governor sign her legislation called Desha’s Law, which was named for her late cousin who suffered cardiac arrest playing basketball, that requires school safety plans to include a cardiac emergency response.
Beckman, Hannah
Just finishing its third season as one of the charter members of the PWHL, the New York Sirens trust Hannah Beckman with the task of growing the women’s hockey team’s brand as its media and community relations coordinator, a role she started after the franchise’s first season in 2024. In April, the club hosted the Seattle Torrent at Madison Square Garden in the most attended professional women’s hockey game played in the United States. Beckman played hockey and studied communications at Utica University, where she later worked as director of women’s hockey operations.
Bishop, Gregg
Former New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Gregg Bishop took over in 2021 as executive director of the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation Social Justice Fund, founded by New York Liberty and Brooklyn Nets owner Clara Wu Tsai in 2020 with a $50 million commitment from her and her husband, Joe. The organization seeks to fight racial gaps in education, health and wealth, and in March it launched a $5.5 million small-business loan program for business owners around the city.
Editor’s note: Gregg Bishop is a member of City & State’s advisory board.
Bové, Matt
Buffalo is a huge sports town, and it’s no wonder Matt Bové at WKBW-TV is the sportscaster everyone says is the top name in the game. Bové’s enthusiasm as a lifelong Western New Yorker combined with an obsession for Buffalo sports shines through on TV and on his popular social media channels. Bové quickly rose through the ranks at WKBW, becoming sports director in 2019, just six years after graduating from Buffalo State University. Bové co-hosts “It’s Always Gameday in Buffalo,” a Buffalo Bills podcast with over 1,000 episodes.
Brackett, Jordan
Under the leadership of Jordan Brackett since 2023, Asphalt Green is expanding access to fitness opportunities across New York City – including lifesaving swimming lessons for thousands of people. In East Harlem, the organization refurbished and reopened the swimming pool in 2024 at River East Elementary school. At its Upper East Side location, the organization hosted the annual Turning the Tide Swim-a-Thon, which raised more than $100,000 for free swimming lessons for children. The organization offers other youth sports, including soccer, basketball and flag football, and positions many young athletes to secure college scholarships.
Bulman, Bob
Bob Bulman was a senior staffer in the Pataki administration before transitioning to government relations and ultimately into sports executive leadership. The former Park Strategies executive served as chief operating officer for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League and the Albany Empire of the Arena Football League. In 2019, he launched Excelsior Sports Group, a consulting firm for teams, venues and events – assisting such clients as the Buffalo Sabres Foundation and the Albany Patroons. Bulman has also worked with Special Olympics New York on strategic partnerships, government relations and other operational matters.
Burlew Schmidt, Dawn
Dawn Burlew Schmidt interned at Corning Inc. in 1984, back when the materials science technology company owned Watkins Glen International. Four decades later, Burlew Schmidt had ascended Corning’s corporate ladder to director of government affairs and business development. In 2024, she left to become the first woman president of the racetrack, now under the control of NASCAR and one of its major tracks, with a growing number of three-day racing events. She is a lifelong resident of nearby Erin in Chemung County, where she also serves as town supervisor.
Carmichael Jackson, Terri
As the WNBA enjoys exponential growth, Terri Carmichael Jackson has battled for players to earn their fair share of the revenue. The Women’s National Basketball Players Association and the league agreed to a groundbreaking labor deal in March, which will significantly raise salaries across all contract levels. When Carmichael Jackson started in her position in 2016, the WNBA received $25 million per year from ESPN for its national broadcast rights. Under the terms of current agreements, the league is set to bring in more than $280 million per year from its national broadcast partners.
Carone, Anthony
As Oaktree Solutions gets out of the lobbying game as it adapts to the post-Eric Adams era in New York City, Frank Carone and his brother, CEO Anthony Carone, are continuing the company’s efforts in the sports world – and helping athletes get the most out of their playing careers. Oaktree works with college athletes in preparing them for opportunities available through the monetization of their name, image and likeness, or NIL. In May, Anthony Carone testified before the California Assembly on the importance of financial literacy for college athletes.
Carroll, Robert
Following the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Assembly Member Robert Carroll wants to bring the games to New York. With the infrastructure in place to host championship-level competition in New York City and Lake Placid, which was a backup location for 2026 Olympic sliding events, Carroll says New York could set a standard for sustainability. While the concept is in the earliest of exploratory phases, Carroll passed 2025 legislation lowering the price of SUNY and CUNY tuition for Team USA athletes and introduced legislation to support small and amateur sporting events through tax exemptions.
Clarke, Keia
Leading the New York Liberty through a period of immense growth is Keia Clarke, who joined the organization in 2011 and rose to CEO in 2020. Since the team moved to the Barclays Center in 2021, season ticket memberships have risen over 900%, and after the club won its first title in 2024, year-over-year sponsorship revenue grew more than 50%. When Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai bought the franchise in 2019, they reportedly paid between $10 million and $14 million; when they sold a limited partnership stake in the club in 2025, it had a $450 million valuation.
Constable, Richard
A onetime federal prosecutor and New Jersey’s former community affairs commissioner, Richard Constable joined Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. as its lead on legislation, community and inclusion in 2018. He chairs the Business Council of New York State and the MSG NY PAC, which contributes to political campaigns, and directs the Coalition to Restore New York, which spent heavily on New York City Council races. Constable, who is also on the board of MSG Entertainment’s Garden of Dream Foundation, will have to renew MSG’s operating permit in a couple years, but the latest Penn Station plan won’t relocate Madison Square Garden.
Devlin-Jessen, Karlan
The Adirondack Sports Council stages events year-round, including the Empire State Winter Games, the Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival and other international championships and local celebrations. Karlan Devlin-Jessen took over as executive director in 2025, having previously led the organization’s sustainability and legacy efforts. The former Olympic Regional Development Authority staffer used the platform of the 2023 FISU World University Games in Lake Placid to elevate the conversation around the impact of climate change on winter sports. She also supports the reestablishment of the Empire State Summer Games.
Dickinson, Christina
One of the founding partners at Dickinson & Avella, Christina Dickinson relies on her experience in the counsel’s office for state Senate Democrats as she guides clients, including the New York Yankees, through their dealings with government. The Albany lobbying firm has assisted Yankee corporate interests on many issues over the years, including the MLB’s return to full-season play following the COVID-19 pandemic, ticket resale regulations and, more recently, implementing a discount for state residents at major sporting events. While Dickinson is a Yankee fan, the firm also works with the Mets.
Edelman, Marty
An adviser to the Abu Dhabi royal family, Marty Edelman was at the center of negotiations when the Emirati crown bought Manchester City in 2008. He serves on the boards of the English club and its parent company, City Football Group, which also owns a majority stake in New York City FC, where Edelman is co-vice chair. A lawyer who’s also senior of counsel at the law firm Paul Hastings, Edelman lobbied for the New York MLS franchise ahead of its move to Etihad Park in Queens, the city’s first soccer-specific stadium, for the 2027-28 season.
Figueroa, Nelson
Former MLB pitcher Nelson Figueroa transitioned to sports broadcasting in 2015 when he joined SNY as a Mets pregame and postgame analyst. He now hosts “New York Nightcap” on Nexstar’s PIX11, a late-night show dedicated to sports and pop culture. Figueroa is a two-time Emmy winner for his Mets coverage, and he has hosted PIX11 broadcasts of the Dominican Day Parade and the 116th Street Festival, which celebrates Puerto Rican culture. The former Met and 2013 World Baseball Classic silver medalist for Team Puerto Rico is also active with several charitable organizations.
Garfield, Dean
Dean Garfield forges partnerships with governments and private stakeholders to bring TKO’s expanding slate of live events to fans globally. Last summer, the sports and entertainment conglomerate secured major media rights deals for the UFC and WWE. Since announcing a boxing venture last summer, Garfield has pushed the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, which would reconfigure the regulatory framework around the sport. Garfield joined TKO last year after holding a senior public policy position at Netflix and serving on the White House Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.
Giuliani, Andrew
As New York City’s mayor, Rudy Giuliani was a diehard sports fan known for his love of the New York Yankees, so it’s no surprise his son, Andrew Giuliani, is involved with an iconic sporting event. The younger Giuliani, the runner-up in the 2022 New York Republican gubernatorial primary, leads a White House task force preparing for this year’s FIFA World Cup, with matches at MetLife Stadium and other venues across North America. Andrew Giuliani served in the first Trump administration, including as sports liaison for the reopening of sports leagues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Greenberger, Sharon
Fostering community at 24 locations around New York City, Sharon Greenberger has led the YMCA of Greater New York since 2015. The nonprofit organization has partnered with the New York Knicks for the past five years to offer free youth basketball clinics to a total of more than 1,000 city kids. And ahead of the World Cup, Greenberger’s organization announced corporate partnerships to improve access to soccer for New York children. She previously worked in executive roles in the Bloomberg administration and served on Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s youth and education transition committee.
Gural, Jeffrey
Jeffrey Gural is known for his real estate portfolio, but he also has a passion for U.S. harness racing and is a longtime proponent of the sport. Gural has been active as a horse breeder and owner and as a supporter of racetracks, most notably the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey that he revitalized. He’s now hoping to bring a casino to the Meadowlands, and New Jersey lawmakers are considering a constitutional amendment allowing a casino outside of Atlantic City, which could pave the way for Gural. He also owns the Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs racinos in New York.
Handa, Maya
After Maya Handa helped propel Zohran Mamdani to City Hall, the New York City mayor named her the city’s World Cup czar in January. The strategist is responsible for preparing the five boroughs for an influx of 1.2 million expected visitors for the international sporting event, projected to generate $3.3 billion in economic impact. The mayor has criticized FIFA’s dynamic ticket pricing and the administration announced free fan events in each borough. Handa also touted Mamdani’s recent deal to secure 1,000 affordable tickets to matches at MetLife Stadium for New York City soccer fans.
Hengsterman, Stacey
Serving more than 51,000 athletes statewide, Special Olympics New York brings the benefits of organized sports to people with intellectual disabilities. Under the leadership of Stacey Hengsterman since 2018, the organization has expanded its reach to include all specialized instruction District 75 schools in New York City, with sights set on continued growth in urban areas. Hengsterman previously spent 15 years as assistant vice chancellor for government relations at SUNY.
Hilliard, Wendy
USA Gymnastics Hall of Famer Wendy Hilliard made history as the first Black rhythmic gymnast to make the U.S. national team in 1978. She went on to launch a low-cost gymnastics academy in Harlem, where she trains the next generation of gymnasts. The Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation, which is now celebrating its 30th anniversary, has trained nearly 30,000 youth, including four gymnasts who have represented the U.S. in international competitions. In February, the organization hosted the 11th Harlem Gymnastics Invitational, welcoming athletes from around the country.
Jacobson, Todd
Following 23 years at the NBA with a focus on social responsibility and government affairs, Todd Jacobson founded his own business consulting firm, TAJ Global, in 2024. He was directly involved in the development of the NBA Cares initiative while also spearheading efforts to expand the game on a global scale and build out the league’s social justice initiatives following the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. At TAJ Global, Jacobson now helps clients grow through strategic partnerships and community engagement initiatives.
Katz, Dan
The Parkside Group handles government affairs matters for a number of big sports clients, including Major League Baseball, the Brooklyn Nets and gambling entities such as the Sports Betting Alliance and DraftKings. Experienced Albany operative Dan Katz joined the firm in 2010 and played key roles in the legalization of online sports gambling and the effort to keep daily fantasy sports legal in New York. Parkside has lobbied on the behalf of the Sports Betting Alliance on many pieces of consumer protection legislation, including bills regarding customer invoice statements and advertising restrictions.
Kim, Ron
Assembly Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee Chair Ron Kim is taking another crack at ticket reselling reform after legislation introduced last year stalled out and the standing regulations were extended through June. The Queens lawmaker has also introduced separate bills that would create a $25 million fund dedicated to attracting top sports and entertainment events to New York and require professional sports franchises in the state to be offered for sale prior to relocation or folding.
Kishner, Irwin
An accomplished corporate lawyer, Irwin Kishner chairs the Sports Law Group at the midsize law firm Herrick. Kishner has been with the firm since 1992. Early in his tenure, he worked closely with Lonn Trost, who would go on to be general counsel, and later chief operating officer, with the New York Yankees. Kishner has served as outside counsel for the storied baseball franchise, working on transactions involving the YES Network and the development of Yankee Stadium. Kishner was also involved in the creation of SNY and the development of Citi Field.
Kmack, John
John Kmack has turned the Capital Region into a destination for basketball’s top amateur talent. Since 1998, Kmack’s GymRat Basketball has hosted showcase tournaments featuring some of the best club teams in North America. Among the alumni of GymRat-sponsored events are four-time NBA champion Steph Curry, 2025 No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg and four-time NCAA champion Breanna Stewart, now with the New York Liberty. Kmack takes pride in making the competitions an opportunity to receive recruiting exposure on the same scale as shoe company-sponsored showcases.
Kudon, Jeremy
With the help of top lobbying firms in New York, the Sports Betting Alliance advances the interests of five of the biggest gambling operators in the country: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Fanatics and bet365. The organization advances the regulatory agenda of the gambling industry, which in New York means working with state officials on issues including mobile casino gambling, betting limits and advertising restrictions. Jeremy Kudon oversees the coalition’s legislative efforts around the country. He’s also a New York partner at the law firm Orrick, where he founded its Public Policy group.
Lasry, Alex
Fresh off a stint in the Biden administration as deputy assistant secretary for travel and tourism in the U.S. Department of Commerce, Alex Lasry took over preparations for the World Cup in New York and New Jersey in February 2025. He previously served in senior executive roles with the Milwaukee Bucks and as an aide in the Obama White House. With the World Cup host committee, he is responsible for coordinating travel to and from MetLife Stadium for the matches, as well as laying the groundwork for the economic impact of 1.2 million expected visitors to the area.
Lassiter, Layton
From content strategy to analytics, Gray Wolf is a full-service marketing firm with a focus on amplifying brand partnerships through earned media. Layton Lassiter leads the way, having overseen activations at major sporting events for Toyota, Marriott and Under Armour. He also led the development of a proprietary intelligence platform that offers return on investment forecasting and sentiment analysis. Lassiter, a former football player at SUNY Cortland, co-founded the firm in January 2024.
Lespinasse, Patrick
Patrick Lespinasse is a government affairs professional with a passion for golf. He is the founder of Par & Politics, a community of government, corporate and nonprofit professionals bringing equity to a game long plagued by exclusivity. Lespinasse joined Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies as a principal in December, having previously served in senior roles at Starbucks, Verizon and Brown & Weinraub. He has also been co-chair of the sports committee at the City Parks Foundation since 2020, which offers free programming in more than 300 locations around New York City. He has also worked with the Empire State Golf Alliance.
Leventhal, Dan
In a sport dominated by white suburbia, Dan Leventhal has found a way to impact historically underserved communities in the South Bronx. Bronx Lacrosse started with a single team at The Highbridge Green School. When Leventhal, then a teacher at the middle school through Teach for America, noticed improved academic performance and increased school attendance among team members, he expanded the program. Today, Bronx Lacrosse boasts 10 teams serving more than 300 middle and high school students at sites around the borough, with graduation and higher education enrollment rates at 100% among participants.
Levine, Randy
Longtime Yankees President Randy Levine has an extensive history of working for Republican executive leadership, including a stint in President Ronald Reagan’s Department of Justice and key posts in the Giuliani administration. President Donald Trump appointed Levine co-vice chair of the Saving College Sports roundtable in March, from which formed a committee that recommended the creation of a governing body overseeing college athletics. Levine was the lead negotiator for the MLB on the labor agreement following the 1994 strike before joining the Yankees in 2000, where he leads business operations. He’s also of counsel at Jackson Lewis.
Maloney, Joe
Joe Maloney joined the Sports Betting Alliance, representing the interests of the top mobile gambling operators in the country, in December 2025. He previously handled strategic communications for the American Gaming Association and the Washington Commanders, and before that he gained experience in government affairs and campaign work. His expertise is in shaping public debate through rapid response media operations. At the AGA, he spearheaded the “Play Smart from the Start” initiative, encouraging gamblers to control what they can when engaging with sports wagering.
Nassivera, LJ
When LJ Nassivera joined the New York Mets in 2022, Metropolitan Park was a concept discussed in a “visioning session” with community stakeholders. Today, the Citi Field parking lot is being transformed into a destination casino and entertainment complex, altering how fans access the ballpark. Nassivera, who brings more than 20 years of experience working with city agencies on transportation planning, is advancing shuttle, ferry, transit, bike rental and ride-hailing initiatives to expand avenues to home games. With the construction of Metropolitan Park underway, the Mets have collaborated with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to offer transit discounts this season.
NeJame, Samir
Samir NeJame is an outside counsel for the New York New Jersey Host Committee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The chair of the New York state government law and policy practice at Greenberg Traurig also represents the New York Racing Association in its legislative matters and its redevelopment of Belmont Park. NeJame started out as assistant corporation counsel for the city of Syracuse before transitioning to government affairs work in the private sector. Other clients include a coalition of state ski resorts, New York Thoroughbred Breeders and MGM Resorts, and he also helped the New York Islanders return to Nassau County at UBS Arena.
Oram, Jon
Jon Oram has been at the center of some of the biggest transactions in sports history, including the sales of NBA, NFL and MLB franchises, as well as negotiations between the MLS and Lionel Messi to bring the international icon to Inter Miami. Oram joined Davis Polk as a partner and head of the firm’s sports practice in November 2025 following a 25-year run at Proskauer Rose. Among his clients are the New York Yankees and the New York Jets, as well as the host committee for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
O’Rourke, David
Facilitated by a $455 million loan from the state, the freshly renovated Belmont Park will open again for live racing on Long Island in September. The New York Racing Association will consolidate all of its downstate activities to the new facility, closing Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens and returning the land to the state for future development. David O’Rourke has been with NYRA since 2008, previously serving as chief revenue officer before taking over as president and CEO in 2019. The organization also operates the historic Saratoga Race Course, the oldest active sporting venue in the country.
O’Sullivan, Jennifer
Jennifer O’Sullivan joined New York City FC in 2020 following a stint as a partner at Arent Fox, where she represented sports leagues, teams and other entities in major transactions. As chief operating officer with the Major League Soccer club, O’Sullivan oversees business operations and legal functions. In March, NYCFC celebrated the topping off of its new stadium in Queens, Etihad Park, set to open in 2027. The club will celebrate the 2026 World Cup with the construction of 26 mini soccer pitches around the city, adding to the 50 pitches already built through the New York City Soccer Initiative.
Perry, N. Nick
Last summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed longtime Brooklyn Assembly Member and former U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica N. Nick Perry to serve on the state Athletic Commission. He chairs the governmental body, which sanctions combat sporting events that take place in the state. Perry represented Assembly District 58 – covering East Flatbush, Canarsie and Brownsville – for decades before President Joe Biden chose him in 2022 to be the first Jamaican-born ambassador to the island nation.
Pierre, Kelley
Access to golf, and the professional growth that can be fostered from it, can be hard to come by in New York City. Kelley Pierre seeks to break down the financial, social and cultural barriers through All Access Golf, which offers instruction and other programming focused on economic development in Brooklyn. Pierre’s organization also honors the early leaders of the historical struggle to bring about equity on and off the course with its oral history project, Golf Griots. Pierre has also worked in finance, with stints at Accenture and BNY Mellon.
Primerano, Lauren
Lauren Primerano has been the park administrator at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex, an internationally recognized track and field facility on Staten Island, since it opened in 2015. Ocean Breeze hosts hundreds of events annually, ranging from youth meets to national championships, and also sponsors a youth track club. Primerano is also director of youth track and field at Icahn Stadium on Randalls Island and the president of USATF New York, the downstate association of USA Track & Field, which held its 2026 USATF Indoor Championships at Ocean Breeze.
Rhodes, Brandon
One of the early business development hires at Overtime, which owns the Overtime Elite basketball league and other sports ventures, Brandon Rhodes left the company to join GameChanger in a newly created role, general manager for emerging sports, in December 2025. He had spent the previous three years building the boxing division at Overtime. GameChanger is a platform for scorekeeping and live streaming youth sports. Rhodes will oversee the expansion of the company’s basketball and soccer operations.
Ross, Kenrick
The world of sports can be fraught with prejudice, particularly toward the LGBTQ+ community. Kenrick Ross fights to break that stigma through his work at the Brooklyn Community Pride Center. Ross is an avid tennis player who created @LOVE, a platform for LGBTQ+ people in New York City to safely engage with the sport. The Brooklyn Community Pride Center, which Ross has led since 2023, sponsors other sports programming, including basketball open gyms and the upcoming Pride Slam, a tennis tournament to be held on Randalls Island during the U.S. Open.
Sciortino, Michael
After overseeing the successful opening of the Chase Center in San Francisco, home of the Golden State Warriors, Michael Sciortino returned to New York in 2020 to manage UBS Arena in the leadup to its opening as the home of the NHL’s New York Islanders in 2021. Sciortino, who oversees day-to-day operations, has made sustainability a priority in his leadership at UBS Arena, improving efficiency, reducing waste and slashing carbon emissions. He also worked for Madison Square Garden during the Manhattan venue’s renovation in the early 2010s.
Serrano, Jose M.
When Democrats took control of the state Senate in 2019, state Sen. Jose M. Serrano was named chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, a post he has held ever since. The lawmaker, whose district straddles Manhattan and the South Bronx, has been a staunch supporter of state parks and outdoor activities. He introduced legislation to designate the first Sunday in November as “New York City Marathon Day” and passed a bill authorizing a feasibility study on bringing back the Empire State Summer Games, although the measure was vetoed.
Shimamura, Tricia
As New York City’s parks commissioner, Tricia Shimamura is responsible for the operation of more than 800 athletic fields, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts and 37 recreation centers – including the $141 million Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center, which opened in Brooklyn this year. Shimamura took the top job in January after having served as the department’s Manhattan borough commissioner. The triathlete and former high school volleyball player previously was director of community affairs in the Manhattan Borough President’s Office, director of government relations for Columbia University and deputy chief of staff to then-Rep. Carolyn Maloney.
Shorenstein, Marissa
Marissa Shorenstein handles government affairs and strategic communications for Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Liberty. She ran point on the September 2025 opening of the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center, a youth basketball facility across the street from the home of the Nets and Liberty. Shorenstein led collaborative efforts with city agencies on the construction of a training center for the Liberty, set to open in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, in 2027. The former state government official also serves on the state Gaming Commission.
Silver, Naomi
The first woman in the history of affiliated professional baseball to run a minor league team, Naomi Silver is a power in the sports world and in Rochester as well. A top priority for Silver and other local leaders is securing state investment in improvements to ESL Ballpark, the county-owned stadium where the Rochester Red Wings play, including upgrading the fan experience and creating a year-round events space. The push comes amid Gov. Kathy Hochul’s multimillion-dollar Rochester revitalization initiative. Silver has made affordability a hallmark of her team leadership.
Simmelkjaer, Rob
A two-time New York City Marathon finisher, Rob Simmelkjaer in 2022 took over New York Road Runners, the nonprofit that stages the big run and a host of other races. He comes from a background in media, having served in senior executive roles at ESPN and NBC Sports and made on-air contributions at ABC News and the Tennis Channel. As CEO of NYRR, Simmelkjaer has expanded the organization’s community program offerings, including a five-year initiative to bring running programs to middle schools. He has expanded sustainability efforts, inked new partnerships and launched a podcast.
Sims, Brad
Seasoned sports executive Brad Sims took the reins at New York City FC in 2019. He previously served as executive vice president for franchise operations and as chief revenue officer with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and before that he was vice president of team business development in the NBA league office. With NYCFC, he oversees day-to-day operations, including the ongoing construction of Etihad Park in Willets Point, Queens, the new home of the club set to open in 2027 – when the MLS switches to a schedule starting in summer to match its European counterparts.
Stefanik, Elise
As the House member representing the heart of New York’s Olympic history, Rep. Elise Stefanik is one of four bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Olympic and Paralympic Caucus. The 15-year-old caucus is focused on promoting the Olympics, recognizing Team USA and supporting athletes with disabilities. Stefanik, who is not seeking reelection, saw her legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medals to members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team signed into law by President Donald Trump last year. The team won the famous “Miracle on Ice” game against the Soviet Union in Lake Placid and went on to win the gold medal.
Sterne, Jack
In February, public relations veteran Jack Sterne was named head of policy communications at StubHub, a leading secondary ticketing marketplace for pro sports and other live events. The ticketing technology company’s hire comes as federal and state policymakers examine ticketing practices, with Sterne saying he aims to “build a regulatory environment that supports fans and drives economic opportunity.” Sterne was previously executive director of New York communications at JPMorgan Chase & Co., a consultant at SKDK and a communications staffer in the Cuomo administration during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tisch Blodgett, Carolyn
Next 3 Ventures is a portfolio of sports and media brands founded and led by Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, who’s also a co-owner of the New York Giants as part of the famed Tisch family. Among Next 3’s assets is the women’s soccer champion Gotham FC, where Tisch Blodgett serves as governor. She has led the club to success, with two NWSL titles and massively increased attendance and revenue since she took over in 2023. The team partnered with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to offer 1,000 $5 tickets to its May 9 match, selling out in minutes.
Torres, Daniel
America’s pastime has been refined over its long history, but in Ulster County, aficionados honor the game’s roots. Daniel Torres is president of the Ulster County Vintage Base Ball Association, a small league following 1864 rules: no gloves, underhand pitching and one-bounce outs. In his research, Torres discovered a box score from an 1867 interracial game between two teams from Rondout, one of the earliest instances of integration in the sport’s history – which he documented in SABR’s Baseball Research Journal. Torres is also an adviser to Rep. Pat Ryan.
Ventre, Michael
Michael Ventre represents the interests of FanDuel in Albany as a registered lobbyist and the gambling operator’s senior manager for state government relations. He previously worked in a budget optimization capacity for Orange County, as a legislative aide for former state Senate Racing, Wagering and Gaming Committee Chair John Bonacic and as finance director for the 2012 campaign to elect then-state Sen. Phil Boyle, who now serves as president and CEO of Suffolk Regional OTB. FanDuel has recently shifted its lobbying focus from state legislatures to the federal government.
Walden, Ashley
Originally created to administer legacy programs at the facilities used for the Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympic Games, the Olympic Regional Development Authority now manages winter sports sites around the state. Ashley Walden took over ORDA in 2023. ORDA approved a $3 million consultation contract in February that will create a maintenance plan for the Olympic facilities, which have received more than $600 million in state investment between 2017 and 2023. Walden represented the United States in luge at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics and later held leadership roles with USA Bobsled/Skeleton and the Adirondack Sports Council.
Weinraub, David
Having played a central role in the effort to legalize mixed martial arts in New York, David Weinraub continues to represent the interests of UFC in Albany, as well as other properties under the TKO Group Holdings umbrella, including WWE and Professional Bull Riders. Weinraub has lobbied the state Legislature on a bill that would create a fund intended to attract sports and entertainment events to the Empire State. Among the other sports-adjacent clients of Brown & Weinraub, the top lobbying firm in the state, are Underdog and New York Road Runners.
White, Adam
The business of sports lives at Front Office Sports, a digital media brand covering the off-the-field moves that make the industry go. Adam White founded the New York-based news outlet as a student at the University of Miami and has fueled its growth to the tune of 200 million social impressions and 2.5 million page views each month. In 2024, an investment management firm led by former CNN Worldwide and NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Zucker took a majority stake in the company. Last year, the brand launched its own production house.
White, Benjamin T.
Equipped with experience as assistant general counsel for Pegula Sports and Entertainment, which operated a number of upstate sports teams including the Buffalo Bills and Sabres before its dissolution in 2023, Benjamin T. White now leads the sports, entertainment and hospitality practice team at the law firm Lippes Mathias. He handles legal matters related to sponsorships, naming rights, media rights, venue licensing and team acquisitions for clients in various professional leagues, including the NFL and NHL as well as the National Lacrosse League and the Arena Football League.
White, Daniel
As the head of Geto & de Milly’s sports development practice, Daniel White helps teams and leagues secure land use agreements and navigate the public review process on major venue projects. He has been at the center of the development of Etihad Park, the new home of New York City FC set to open in 2027, as well as the Sportime-led expansion of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy on Randalls Island. White also represented the organizing body for the 2024 International Cricket Council Men’s T20 World Cup, requiring the construction of a temporary 34,000-seat stadium in Nassau County.
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