Christopher P r o v i n o
Las Vegas, NV 914-***-**** *****.*******@*****.*** LinkedIn
P ROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
A dynamic and seasoned executive with an extensive 15-year tenure in the sports and entertainment industry, I specialize in crafting and executing national marketing strategies with exceptional finesse. My track record reflects a mastery of leading top-tier teams to achieve targeted objectives, coupled with a keen ability to cultivate strategic partnerships, advocate for celebrity athletes, and harness high-profile projects to elevate public branding and visibility. Proficient in navigating the intricate landscape of sports and entertainment, I bring a proven history of leveraging these arenas to drive impactful results and enhance overall brand presence.
P ROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
XFL, Las Vegas, NV
Vice President Business Operations & Events, Vegas Vipers 10/2022 – 1/2024
• Spearhead business operations for the Vegas Vipers, overseeing marketing, communications, ticket sales, and sponsorship activations.
• Direct a team of 13, ensuring excellence in all facets of the team’s business operations.
• Secure talent for in-game entertainment, including musicians, hosts, and announcers.
• Provided $4 million in sponsorships deals for the league in the first two months of employment. Professional Experience Breakdown: XFL
Immediate Supervisor: SVP Team Services
Direct Reports: Director of Ticketing, Director of Sponsorship, Director of PR, Director of Marketing, Manager of Event Operations and Manager of social media
Budget Management: Managed Game Operations, Marketing, Ticketing, PR, and social media with a budget of more than half a million dollars.
Agency Selection Proce
ss: Conducted agency reviews for Marketing and PR. Volume and Growth: Business Development role position held from start to end. Systems-Wide Initiatives: Event Operations Playbooks, FEP Process document, Sponsorship Brand Tracker. Performance Metrics: Budget spending and conservation. Profit & Loss Controls: Managed Event P&Ls, including goods, labor, and equipment. Training and Development: Developed and provided training and development activities for team members and direct reports.
VaynerSports, Las Vegas, NV
Senior Director, Sales & Marketing 9/2020 - 11/2022
• Led sales, Marketing, and PR initiatives for 25 combat sports athletes.
• Secured $2 million in brand partnerships within the first year.
• Established a company-wide payment and budget tracking strategy. Professional Experience Breakdown: VaynerSports
Immediate Supervisor: CEO & EVP
Direct Reports: Manager of Client Services
Volume and Growth: Sales and Marketing Position held from start to finish. System-Wide Initiatives: Payment Tracking System, Marking Plan Guidelines, and Creative promotional materials. Training and Development: Training and Development activities for team members and direct reports. P ROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE CONTINUED
Matchroom Boxing & DAZN, New York, NY
Head of Fighter & Event Marketing 9/2019 - 9/2020
• Spearheaded marketing and PR initiatives for events and athletes.
• Pioneered the promotion of Logan Paul vs. KSI 2, achieving remarkable viewership and attendance figures. Professional Experience Breakdown: Matchroom Boxing & DAZN Immediate Supervisor: COO
Agency Selection Process: Selected public relations and marketing agencies for live events. Volume and Growth: Event marketing position held for entire time at company. System-Wide Initiatives: Event Marketing Playbook and budget utilization guidelines. Performance Metrics: Marketing budget effectiveness for Matchroom Boxing and DAZN. Ultimate Fighting Championship, Las Vegas, NV
Senior Director, Athlete Marketing & Development 7/2017 - 2/2019
• Led a department responsible for athlete brand development, working alongside 20+ internal departments.
• Orchestrated 620+ athlete appearances, generating significant revenue growth for the UFC and its athletes/talent.
Manager, Athlete Marketing & Development 8/2014 - 7/2017
• Implemented robust guidelines for athlete appearances and interactions. Manager, International Business Development 2/2014 - 8/2014
• Penetrated emerging markets across LATAM, APAC, and EMEA. Professional Experience Breakdown: Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Immediate Supervisor: SVP Athletic Development
Direct Reports: Manager of Athlete Marketing and Development, Coordinator of Athlete Marketing and Development Budget Management: Oversaw an athlete marketing budget of over $2 million per year, including athlete fees, operations, staff logistics, etc.
Agency Selection Process: Hired three agencies during tenure at UFC, based on recommendations, cost, track record, and negotiation.
Loyalty Program: Detailed involvement in loyalty program and innovations, such as UFC rewards and the development of experiential offerings for committed fans, such as meet and greets, tickets, and autographed items and promotional giveaways.
Digital Enhancements: Developed a hub for efficient contact information acquisition and management of payment tracking, budget tracking, and an organized calendar for sponsor activations. Team Recruitment and Development: Mentored an intern who was promoted to Manager of Athlete Marketing and Development and was later promoted to Director of Sponsorship Activation for the Vegas Golden Knights. Volume and Growth: Continued in Athlete Development and Marketing tenure for entire time at UFC. System-Wide Initiatives: Event Marketing and PR Playbooks, Budget Tracker, Revenue Generator Tracker for Athletes, Companywide Calendar, and Talent & Athlete Handbook. Performance Metrics: Revenue generated by athletes and talent, achieving over $2 million annually from 2015-2019. Profit and Loss Controls: Oversaw department budget for travel, logistics, and spending. Training and Development: Developed and implemented training and development activities for team members and direct reports. UFC Athlete Summit and Symposiums: over 500 athletes attended these to learn about marketing, media training, social media, and financial management.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Stamford, CT
International Relations & Affiliate Marketing Coordinator 4/2011 - 2/2012
• Drove global strategies, analyzing foreign policies and liaising with international entities. International Digital Affiliate Relations Assistant 6/2008 - 4/2011
• Amplified global brand presence through targeted affiliate strategies. Professional Experience Breakdown: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Immediate Supervisor: VP International Marketing
Digital Enhancements: Launched the first ever WWE mobile gaming app. EBITDA Contribution:
• XFL: Provided $4 million in sponsorships deals for the league.
• VaynerSports: Secured $2 million in brand partnerships. EDUCATION
Master of Science in Sports Business Management, 2011 Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, 2008 Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY P ROFESSIONAL SKILLS
• Strategic Planning and Implementation
• Team Building and Leadership
• New Business Development
• Contract Negotiations
• Athlete & Talent Marketing
• Event Planning and Execution
• Budget Oversight
• Institutional Policies and Practices