Greg is a transformational executive who has operated at the highest levels of the sports and entertainment industries for nearly three decades with a track record of significant innovation, connectivity, and success. He is a highly esteemed and networked c-suite executive with significant operating experience who has built several businesses from the ground up, while also maintaining oversight across multi-billion-dollar organizations as well. Greg possesses extensive management experience of large-scale cross functional teams that have consistently delivered unprecedented results in terms of brand equity building, revenue generation, and EBITDA – consistently beating plans and forecasts. He is also a rare creative and commercial visionary with the deep understanding of how the value of IP combined with the underpinnings of data and technology can drive exponential growth. He’s been known as a key thought leader who has consistently driven the evolution of the sports industry in multiple ways – through branding, management consulting, and content.
EXPERTISE
DRIVING REVENUE GROWTH THROUGH A DIVERSE SKILL SET
To use an apropos baseball analogy, Greg is a five-tool player in a very broad and diverse industry, truly making him a rare breed. To that end, he has served in senior executive leadership positions at agencies, leagues, teams, and several other sports and entertainment-related businesses for over twenty-five years and has built significant levels of expertise in a variety of areas, spanning from unparalleled leadership and management abilities into operational, marketing, and revenue generation acumen. When combining this level of expertise with his extensive experience and connectivity to c-suite executives across both the sports and entertainment industries, his ability to drive results is truly second to none.
EXPERIENCE
WORKING AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE INDUSTRY
Greg has had an opportunity to serve in leadership positions throughout his career, ranging from owning and managing two leading sports and entertainment marketing agencies; serving as an influential senior executive at a leading global professional sports league; leading a young and growing professional sports franchise as the chief operator, marketer, and revenue generator; overseeing all revenue streams for one of the largest professional sports conglomerates – teams, venues, networks, and other related businesses; orchestrating the development of
a cutting-edge branded content studio for a leading entertainment company; and serving as both the chief commercial officer and head of sports for the largest ticketing company in the world.
ADVISORY WORK
SERVING AS AN INVESTOR & ADVISOR TO A MYRIAD OF BUSINESSES
Greg has spent the bulk of his career either serving as an advisor to companies and properties, helping consult them on how to run more efficient and effective businesses or has been in actual leadership positions driving that growth and development from a hands-on perspective. In recent years, he has done both – serving as a senior executive at leading companies, while solidifying his position as an advisor to and investor in several companies – helping them strengthen their position in the marketplace and expediting their growth and evolution.
PRODUCING CUTTING-EDGE FILMS, TELEVISION, AND DIGITAL/AUDIO CONTENT
Greg has seamlessly transitioned from the upper echelon of the sports industry into Hollywood, developing and producing an array of content in the following formats: Feature Films, Scripted Television, Unscripted Television, and Digital Audio Content. Each of these content development efforts are sports-oriented and almost always include a content partnership Greg has cultivated with a celebrated professional athlete, sports franchise, league, or existing piece of sports IP. In addition to what has already been release or announced, Greg is working on several more projects that should materialize in the near future. Moreover, he also advises an array of content creator clients that are looking to grow or improve their own content development efforts.
MEDIA
SERVING AS FEATURED SPEAKER & MEDIA PARTICIPANT
Greg has been an active participant on the media landscape for over two decades, ranging from serving as a keynote speaker and panelist at major industry events to being an interviewee on numerous occasions in all forms of media. Per the former, he is known as a dynamic speaker and presenter, having appeared at countless sports and entertainment industry events over the years. Additionally, he has served as a media spokesperson at the various roles he has held, being involved in a wide variety of global, national, regional, and local media assignments.
PERSPECTIVES
INSIGHTFUL & CUTTING-EDGE THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Greg has been at the forefront of industry thought-leadership for over two decades, publishing numerous articles and white papers over the years – including being a regular contributor in the Sports Business Journal, the leading trade publication in the sports industry; while also writing one of the most viewed sports and entertainment based LinkedIn blogs on the platform, usually garnering over 50,000 views per post. His writings not only follow the path of his career experiences and expertise, they are always intended to be humane and inspirational in nature.
TESTIMONIALS
INDUSTRY LEADERS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS
"Greg almost single-handedly changed the way our entire organization thinks. He shifted our focus from revenue generation and sales to brand management and brand equity building. He also showed us how to develop an integrated marketing platform that matched that vision. His work was a masterpiece in my eyes…it still plays a role in everything related to the Pistons – on the floor and in the marketplace."
Tom Wilson - President & CEO, Detroit Red Wings / Former CEO, Detroit Pistons
"Greg has been a tremendous asset to the NBA for many years – first as a consultant to many of our teams, then as a key executive of the league, as the head of business operations for one of our teams, and now in his role at Ticketmaster. His intelligence, insight, and work ethic are qualities that help him drive results no matter what role he plays."
David Stern - Former Commissioner, National Basketball Association
"I have always been impressed by Greg’s energy and strategic capabilities. His work on behalf of the league –especially in brand positioning and the development of our mission statement –was exceptional and remains a core part of our identity. Greg continues to be a key asset to the NBA and its teams and the sports industry at large."
Adam Silver - Commissioner, National Basketball Association
"Greg has been at the cutting edge of the sports industry for years and has been a valuable resource to me over the past decade, always providing me with great insights, project work, and results. Plus, I really like the way he operates with intelligence, integrity, and always under the radar."
Dr. Harvey Schiller - Chairman, Global Options / Former CEO, YankeeNets / Former CEO, Turner Sports
"Greg proved to be an invaluable resource for DEI. His intelligence, passion and results-oriented approach helped us develop and execute much needed marketing strategies and programs, especially in the wake of Dale’s death. We needed ideas and solutions and he gave us both and more. Simply said, he is one of the best marketing people I have ever encountered in all my years in NASCAR."
Ty Norris - EVP & GM, Michael Waltrip Racing / Former EVP & General Manager, Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
"In my experience, I have found Greg Economou to be the best sports-oriented brand strategist in the world –period. His work on behalf of the Atlanta Spirit was insightful, compelling, and applicable to every important facet of our business."
Bernie Mullin - Managing Director & CEO, The Aspire Group / Former President & CEO, Atlanta Spirit