J
ay Parry’s iPod playlist includes One Direction’s “Up All Night,” which is appropriate considering she very well might not get much rest during the next four months. That’s the time remaining until Arizona welcomes the NFL as host of this season’s Super Bowl.
Jay Parry
ARIZONA SUPER BOWL HOST COMMITTEE
As CEO of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, Parry is in charge of promoting the entire Southwest region as host of the game. To do so, she can call on her experience from two distinct phases of her career. Following a 17-year career at Bank of America that included an eight-year stint in Phoenix as the bank’s regional executive vice president and marketing director, Parry got a call from Phoenix Mercury investor (and former Bank of America co-worker) Kathy Munro asking her to, as Parry said, “come and build the business side” of the club.
Her only previous sports business exposure had come via her stewardship of Bank of America’s partnerships with the WNBA Mercury and with the Phoenix Suns. “I had no idea what I was stepping into,” she said, “but it turned into something wonderful and magical.”
Parry went on to spend seven seasons as president and COO of the Mercury and two as the Suns’ senior vice president of brand and business development.
“I tell people that most industries are run by men, so sports aren’t really that different,” she said about her role in the industry. “I’m not Gloria Steinem or anything, but I am grateful for her.”
— David Broughton
- Biggest professional achievement: I’m anticipating that my greatest professional achievement will be in February of this coming year, when we put on the best Super Bowl the Valley and the world has ever seen.
- Biggest professional disappointment: While leading the Phoenix Mercury organization was an honor, it was disappointing to not be able to pay WNBA players what they’re really worth. Top WNBA players make a fraction of what NBA players make. They are world-class athletes and people.
- Best advice received: “Aim high,” and “Remember: The devil is in the details.”
- Career turning point: After 15-plus years at Bank of America, I took a hiatus to figure out my next career chapter. After some reflection, I determined I wanted a combination of fulfilling, challenging and fun. That led me to the sports industry.
- Outside of work and family, I’m spending a lot of my time on … : Thinking about how good my golf game would be if I had time to play.
