Forty Under 40: Class of 2008

David Abrutyn

THEN: SVP, IMG Consulting
NOW: Global chief business officer, hockey division, CAA Sports

Steve Astephen

THEN: President, action sports, Wasserman Media Group
NOW: Founder/CEO, The Familie

Dan Beckerman

THEN: EVP/CFO, AEG
NOW: President/CEO, AEG Worldwide

David Berson

THEN: EVP, program planning and strategy, ESPN
NOW: President/CEO, CBS Sports

Greg Busch

THEN: SVP/group account director, GMR Marketing
NOW: President, Bespoke Sports & Entertainment

Steven Chiang

THEN: SVP/group GM, EA Sports
NOW: President, Fortis Games

Brian Corcoran

THEN: Managing director, corporate marketing, NASCAR
NOW: Chief engagement officer, Shamrock Sports & Entertainment

Damon Evans*

THEN: AD, University of Georgia
NOW: AD, University of Maryland

Steve Gaffney

THEN: Director, sports marketing, Sprint
NOW: Principal consultant, FMC Group

Tony Godsick

THEN: SVP, IMG
NOW: President/CEO, Team8

Todd Goldstein

THEN: President, global business development, AEG
NOW: CRO, AEG

Derrick Hall

THEN: President, Arizona Diamondbacks
NOW: President/CEO, Arizona Diamondbacks

Wally Hayward*

THEN: Chairman/CEO, Relay Worldwide
NOW: CEO, W Partners

Chris Heck

THEN: SVP, team marketing and business operations, NBA
NOW: President, business operations, Aston Villa FC

Sarah Hirshland

THEN: SVP, consulting, Wasserman Media Group
NOW: CEO, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee

Jerry Jones Jr.

THEN & NOW: EVP/chief sales and marketing officer, Dallas Cowboys

Sam Kennedy

THEN: EVP/chief sales and marketing officer, Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group
NOW: President/CEO, Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group

Rick Kloiber

THEN: VP, sports sales, Fox Broadcasting Co.
NOW: Director of sales, Adcuratio Media Inc.

Rita Benson LeBlanc

THEN: Owner/EVP, New Orleans Saints
NOW: Former vice chairman, New Orleans Saints

Michael Levine*

THEN & NOW: Co-Head, CAA Sports

Warde Manuel

THEN: AD, University at Buffalo
NOW: AD, University of Michigan

Howard Nuchow*

THEN & NOW: Co-Head, CAA Sports

Steve O’Donnell

THEN: VP, racing operations, NASCAR
NOW: COO, NASCAR

Jon Oram

THEN & NOW: Partner, Proskauer Rose

Rohan Oza

THEN: SVP, marketing, Glaceau
NOW: Founder, CAVU Venture Partners

Scott Paddock

THEN: Director, sports and events marketing, Gatorade
NOW: SVP, external affairs, Silver Cross Hospital and Medical Center

Tim Pernetti

THEN: EVP, content, CSTV Networks
NOW: Commissioner, American Athletic Conference

Ed Policy*

THEN: Deputy commissioner/president, Arena Football League
NOW: COO/general counsel, Green Bay Packers

David Preschlack

THEN: EVP, affiliate sales and marketing, ESPN
NOW: CEO, Diamond Sports Group

Gabby Roe

THEN: Chief growth officer, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour
NOW: President, Legends Growth Enterprises

Brian Rolapp

THEN: SVP, digital media and media strategy, NFL
NOW: Chief media and business officer, NFL

Eric Shanks

THEN: EVP, DirecTV Entertainment
NOW: CEO/executive producer, Fox Sports

John Shea

THEN: EVP, consulting, Octagon
NOW: CEO, Octagon

David Shoemaker

THEN: COO/general counsel, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour
NOW: CEO/secretary general, Canadian Olympic Committee

John Slusher

THEN & NOW: VP, global sports marketing, Nike

David Sternberg*

THEN: EVP/COO, emerging networks, Fox Cable Networks
NOW: Co-head of media consulting, Range Sports

Jennifer Storms

THEN: SVP, marketing and programming, Turner Sports
NOW: CMO, entertainment and sports, NBCUniversal

Mark Tatum*

THEN: SVP, marketing partnerships, NBA
NOW: Deputy commissioner, NBA

Shannon Terry*

THEN: Founder/CEO, Rivals.com
NOW: Founder/CEO, On3 Sports

Peter Zern

THEN & NOW: Partner, Covington & Burling

* Forty Under 40 Hall of Fame

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Memories of Forty Under 40

 

Sarah Hirshland

Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee

Selected to the Forty Under 40 Class of 2008 when she was senior vice president at Wasserman Media Group

What do you remember most about being named to Forty Under 40?

 

It was pretty amazing to be recognized beyond the walls of my own organization — to realize that the impact I was having was seen by a broader audience. That’s a great feeling for anyone.

What long-term impact did it have on your career?

The relationships that started among “my class” were, and still are, invaluable to me. I had the chance to meet peers I might never have come across and those connections have been important to my career and my life.

What memories do you have of the Forty Under 40 awards gala?

It was humbling to sit through the gala and find yourself among people who were doing great things across sports. The perspective you gain from that is motivating.

Are there any other thoughts/memories about Forty Under 40 that you would like to share?

It’s an honor to be recognized among your peers at such a critical stage in one’s life. The award often pushes us to do more, to be better and to dream bigger. For that, I will always be grateful.