Raptor Group today announced that it has launched RaptorAccelerator, a new sports, media and entertainment advisory firm led by co-Managing Dirs Mark Pannes and Sean Barror. Most recently, Pannes was Dir of HSBC Private Bank's Global Sports Group, and Barror was Senior VP/Sales for MSG. RaptorAccelerator has established an advisory board to help with the launch: Raptor Group Chair & Managing Dir James Pallotta; MSG Sports President Scott O'Neil; Lipman President & COO Michael Mendenhall; Celtics President Rich Gotham; and Benchmark Sport Holdings Managing Dir Nick Keller (THE DAILY). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Strasburg & Futterman note Pallotta, a minority Owner of the Celtics, is “marrying investing and sports" in this latest venture. RaptorAccelerator's focus “will be on advising companies in which Raptor Group invests, in sports, technology and other areas, including Charity Partners Inc." The new consulting business is "entering a crowded market filled with former executives of major U.S. professional sports teams, among others" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/30).
