Sam Kennedy is entering his 19th season with the club and his fifth as President and Chief Executive Officer. In addition to his role with the Red Sox, Kennedy also acts as Chief Executive of Fenway Sports Management, a sports marketing and sales agency that is a sister company to the Red Sox under the Fenway Sports Group family.
A native of Brookline, MA, who grew up within walking distance of Fenway Park, Kennedy, 46, joined the Red Sox in 2002 after six years working for the San Diego Padres from 1996-2001.
Since joining the Red Sox, Kennedy has played a key role in the dramatic growth of the Red Sox brand. Recalling the days that he was able to come into the ballpark on his dad’s clergy pass, Kennedy’s particular focus has been on encouraging kids to come to the ballpark to experience Fenway Park. In 2014 the Red Sox starting the Student 9’s program which offers $9 tickets to students of all ages at every home game. Outside of the 81 days a year of baseball, Kennedy has also been instrumental in the transformation of Fenway Park into a year-round venue, with diverse offerings including concerts, hockey, soccer, football and even a “Big Air” skiing and snowboarding competition requiring construction of a 150 foot high ramp from centerfield to home plate.
Kennedy has taken on an increased role within Major League Baseball, working with the Office of the Commissioner and the 29 other clubs on ways to improve the game and fan experience. He currently serves on the MLB International Committee, MLB Ticketing Committee and is the chair of the President’s Working Group (PWG), a sub-committee of MLB’s Business and Media Board. Under the Commissioner and Board’s direction, the PWG’s goal is to identify and address critical business issues facing the game, facilitate communication amongst Clubs and identify best practices and strategic goals throughout the industry.
In 2004, Kennedy helped create Fenway Sports Management (FSM) and has overseen its growth from that of a start-up to a world class sports marketing agency with an international roster of clients that includes not only sister companies the Red Sox, Liverpool Football Club, NESN and Roush Fenway Racing, but also partnerships with Major League Baseball Advanced Media, Northern Trust Open, and a landmark marketing partnership with NBA superstar LeBron James.
Kennedy has received many recognitions during his time with the Red Sox, including Boston Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Award and his induction into the Sports Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Hall of Fame which includes multiple time recipients of the honor. This national honor placed him in the company of the most influential and creative young professionals in the business of sports.
Kennedy is active in the community and serves on the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Trustee/Advisory Board and Marketing Committee; the Trinity College Board of Fellows; Winsor School Board of Trustees; Dana-Farber’s Visiting Committee for Institute Initiatives; The BASE’s Advisory Committee; and Camp Harbor View Board of Directors. A former captain of the baseball team at Brookline High with friend and classmate Theo Epstein, Kennedy graduated from Trinity College (CT) in 1995. Kennedy and his wife of 21 years, Amanda, reside in the Boston area with their 16-year-old son, Jimmy, and 14-year-old daughter, Ally