Kansas City Chiefs
An unpaid internship at minor league teams that played inside the former U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, Ill., piqued college-aged Tyler Kirby’s interest in sports business. From game operations to handing out marketing collateral at local restaurants, he says now, “I liked the idea of all the things that went around the game.”
In 2008, Kirby interviewed for an entry-level ticket sales role with the Kansas City Chiefs. Before he could finish the trek home, the team had called and offered him a position.
Tyler Kirby
Executive Vice President of Business Development, Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 38
Born: Hamilton, Ill.
Education: Illinois State University, B.S., marketing and business administration; University of Missouri – Kansas City, MBA, marketing and business administration
Family: Spouse, Ashley; children, Colin (8), Emma (6), Addison (4)
Advice to my 20-year-old self: Learn to see the people around you as resources and not competitors.
Cause supported: Make-A-Wish.
First social media platform I signed up for: Facebook.
Social media platform I use/follow most today: X.
Person in sports business I’d most like to meet: Mark Cuban.
Most pivotal decision in my career: When the team performance was at its lowest point, I was considering other jobs in sports. But while many of my colleagues were leaving, I decided to stick around and hope for things to get better. It created a really unique opportunity for me to have some valuable experience and perspective.
Sports business leaders should be more mindful of … : What young people value the most out of their work.
More than 16 years later, he hasn’t left.
Kirby has worked in various ticket sales and service and business development roles for the team, staying true to the do-everything approach that catalyzed his career.
A strident proponent of technology, Kirby spearheaded the Chiefs’ ahead-of-the-curve adoption of mobile ticketing and dynamic ticket pricing. He has also led efforts to develop and renovate premium spaces within GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, and re-seat the venue for altered capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under Kirby’s leadership, the Chiefs’ ticket revenue has grown 157% since 2013 and 90% since Patrick Mahomes was drafted.
“How do we get consumers interested in our products? And how do we get them to the finish line in a product most suitable to their needs?” Kirby said. “There’s a lot that goes into that. I view my role as pulling all those things together.”
Kirby oversees premium sales, client services and consumer/performance marketing efforts, and serves on league committees related to club gate policy, ticketing and fan engagement.
“He’s a great example of a lot of very successful people in sports,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. “[He] started as an intern in a small minor league market and worked his way up to being an industry leader. We’re proud to have him here.” — Rob Schaefer
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