Greg Labanowski
Strategy and Portfolio Manager, Marketplace Operations, Nike
Greg Labanowski’s passion for tennis fueled his start in sports business with the USTA, and his knowledge of the industry proved instrumental for a deal at Playfly along with an employee wellness platform during his time there. Now, he leads strategy and portfolio in marketplace operations with a focus on Asia Pacific and Latin America supply chain.
Greg Labanowski
Age: 28
Born: Houston
Education: University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, B.S., business administration; University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business, MBA
Family: Spouse, Chrissa
Getting to Know Greg
Go-to person when I need help: My friend and mentor Justin Gimelstob. Justin has a better pulse on the industry than anyone I’ve ever met. His insights, predictive ability around trends and strategies, and even the way he anticipates decisions or votes months before they happen are unparalleled.
Causes supported: I serve as a national committee member/sub-committee co-chair for the USTA’s Training Advisory Group, a sectional committee member for the USTA’s Pacific Northwest junior competition committee and an advisory board member for Portland Tennis & Education. I volunteer and lead fundraising efforts for ACEing Autism.
My inspiration: Female business leaders. I was raised by a working mom who blazed her own trail when women in leadership positions were not as prevalent. My wife and younger sister both work in male-dominated industries. Women have to fight for a seat at the decision-making table. Seeing what these powerful women have fought through and overcome by maintaining a tremendous level of resiliency is a profound source of inspiration.
You’d be surprised to know that I … : Have a 50-plus pair sneaker collection.
In the Industry
Most exciting aspect of sports business: You have the opportunity to leverage the power and emotion of sport to launch a product or enter a market. No other industry can pull a lever this powerful to connect to its consumers.
Skill I’d like to learn: I never went to law school and lack any formal education in sports law/contracts. My understanding of this area has been entirely through hands-on experience. Complex deals in sports business involve a combination of business strategy and legal intricacies, so I’m particularly interested in enhancing my skills in this area.
When I attend a sporting event, I want … : A spot that allows me to see the movement and physical ability of the athletes on the court or field.
