Gort Productions
Jay Bauman
THEN: VP, legal and business affairs, NFL
NOW: Deputy general counsel, NFL
Zak Brown*
THEN: Founder/CEO, Just Marketing International
NOW: CEO, McLaren Racing
Greg Byrne
THEN: AD, University of Arizona
NOW: AD, University of Alabama
Andrew Campion
THEN: CFO, Nike brand, Nike
NOW: Chairman, Unrivaled Sports
Justin Connolly
THEN: SVP, national accounts, ESPN
NOW: President, Disney platform distribution, The Walt Disney Co.
John Currie
THEN: AD, Kansas State University
NOW: AD, Wake Forest University
Paul Danforth
THEN: Marketing executive, CAA Sports
NOW: President, CAA Sports
Kern Egan
THEN: Principal, Richards Sports & Entertainment
NOW: Founder/CEO, Multiplier
Jeff Ehrenkranz
THEN: EVP, head of marketing solutions group, Octagon
NOW: President, Hirschfeld Marketing Solutions
Chad Estis
THEN: President, Legends Premium Sales; SVP, sales and booking, Dallas Cowboys
NOW: EVP, Legends; EVP, business operations, Dallas Cowboys
Mark Evans
THEN: VP, Fox Sports Sales, Fox Broadcasting Co.
NOW: EVP, sales, Fox Sports
Jonathan Gilula
THEN: EVP, business affairs, Boston Red Sox
NOW: COO/EVP, Boston Red Sox
Sophie Goldschmidt
THEN: SVP, NBA Europe
NOW: CEO, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
Todd Goldstein*
THEN: President, AEG Global Partnerships
NOW: CRO, AEG
Eric Grilly
THEN: EVP/chief digital officer, Comcast Sports Group
NOW: Managing partner, Velona Ventures
Matt Higgins
THEN: EVP, business operations, New York Jets
NOW: Co-founder/CEO, RSE Ventures
Barry Kahn
THEN: Founder/CEO, Qcue
NOW: Founder, Duæl Track
David Katz
THEN: Founder/CEO, SportsFanLive.com and ThePostGame.com
NOW: Former EVP, digital, Fox Sports
Jason Kint
THEN: SVP/GM, CBSSports.com
NOW: CEO, Digital Content Next
Leah Buhl LaPlaca
THEN: VP, programming and acquisitions, ESPN
NOW: Consultant/adviser
Rita Benson LeBlanc*
THEN: Owner/EVP, New Orleans Saints
NOW: Former vice chairman, New Orleans Saints
Adam Lippard
THEN: VP/GM-San Francisco, GMR Marketing
NOW: Chief partnership officer, GMR Marketing
Lawton Logan
THEN: SVP, U.S. business development, IMG
NOW: Partner, Daniel Island Capital Partners
Greg Luckman
THEN: CEO, North America, GroupM Entertainment & Sports Partnerships
NOW: Co-President, Range Sports
Scott Milleisen
THEN: Managing director, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
NOW: Global head of lending, Sotheby’s
Bob Myers
THEN: Managing executive, basketball management, Wasserman Media Group
NOW: Adviser/consultant, Washington Commanders
Eric Nyquist
THEN: VP, strategic development, NASCAR
NOW: Chief communications and impact officer, NASCAR
Sarah Robb O’Hagan
THEN: President, Gatorade North America; Gatorade
NOW: Founder, Extreme Living; CEO, EXOS
Merritt Paulson
THEN: Owner/president, Portland Timbers
NOW: Owner, Portland Timbers
Irwin Raij
THEN: Partner/vice chair, sports industry team, Foley & Lardner
NOW: Partner, Sidley Austin
Rob Reed
THEN & NOW: CFO, AEG Facilities, AEG
Chris Sanders
THEN: COO, Helios Partners
NOW: EVP, Learfield
Patrick Sandusky
THEN: Chief communications officer, U.S. Olympic Committee
NOW: VP, communications/head of public relations and communications, Chicago Bulls
Emmanuel Seugé
THEN: Group director, worldwide sports and entertainment marketing, Coca-Cola Co.
NOW: Founder/managing partner, Cassius Family
Ron Skotarczak
THEN: SVP, sales, Madison Square Garden Sports
NOW: Principal, Jigsaw Labs
Timothy Slavin
THEN: Director, business affairs and licensing/senior counsel, business, MLB Players Association
NOW: Managing director/chief legal officer, OneTeam Partners
Todd Taylor
THEN: EVP, ticket sales and marketing, Texas Rangers
NOW: President/CCO, Indiana Pacers
Kimberly Taylor
THEN: Director, sports marketing, MetLife
NOW: Principal, Glasspadel
Albert Vertino
THEN: VP, content, NBA Digital
NOW: SVP, production and programming sports, Warner Bros. Discovery
Andrew Walker
THEN: SVP, global marketing and communications, WTA
NOW: SVP, brand and marketing, ATP Tour
* Forty Under 40 Hall of Fame
■■■■
Memories of Forty Under 40
Sophie Goldschmidt
President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
Selected to the Forty Under 40 Class of 2011 when she was senior vice president of NBA Europe
What do you remember most about being named to Forty Under 40?
It was a very pleasant surprise and I remember having a great evening at the awards dinner.
What long-term impact did it have on your career?
The recognition helps to give you credibility, and I think it’s a known industry standard that is nice to be associated with.
Are there any other thoughts/memories about Forty Under 40 that you would like to share?
It was definitely an important honor for me to receive. I look forward to seeing who gets nominated each year. It’s a fun cohort to be a part of, something you always have!
