CAA Sports is “turning to the man behind Alex Ovechkin’s enviable endorsement earnings” -- David Abrutyn -- to help its stable of high-profile hockey clients “find new off-ice earning opportunities.” CAA’s hockey division -- led by agents Pat Brisson and J.P. Barry -- has hired Abrutyn as its first global chief business officer. In the new role, Abrutyn will “help the firm’s roster of elite NHL talent build their personal brands, forge marketing partnerships and launch business ventures.” Abrutyn will be based out of CAA’s N.Y. office and work closely with Brisson and Barry, and collaborate with CAA Head of Hockey Operations/Marketing and Client Management Jennifer Entin Kardosh. Abrutyn, an original employee at Sports Business Daily when it launched in 1994 and a 2008 Forty Under 40 honoree, has spent the past nine years as a founding partner at sports investment firm Bruin Capital. The “lifelong Capitals fan and one-time ticket-seller” has also represented Ovechkin for most of the team captain’s career and will “continue to represent Ovechkin” in his new role. Abrutyn believes that hockey is “having a renaissance that CAA can help its clients capitalize on” (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, May 6 issue).
