ND’s multimedia rights had been managed by Scott Correira, a former Host Communications exec, since '03GETTY IMAGES
A joint venture between JMI Sports and Legends has won the multimedia rights at Notre Dame. JMI and Legends won a hyper-competitive bid process that began with nine agencies in October '16. Financial terms were not released, but ND signed a 12-year deal with the joint venture. ND AD Jack Swarbrick led the selection process. JMI CEO Erik Judson and Legends President & CEO Shervin Mirhashemi took the lead for the joint venture, while JMI’s Tom Stultz and Legends’ Michael Ondrejko also played significant roles. In fact, Judson said it was Swarbrick’s idea to have JMI and Legends work together. ND’s multimedia rights had been managed by Scott Correira, a former Host Communications exec, since '03 through Notre Dame Sports Properties. The joint venture has not decided if it will keep that name or choose a new one for the property. JMI/Legends also is hiring a president and will then start filling out a staff. The new president will dual report to Judson and Mirhashemi. The Irish’s multimedia rights, which include corporate sponsorship, advertising sales, gameday hospitality and other revenue-generating assets, will be equally shared by Legends and JMI. “We knew going in that Notre Dame was going to be very unique because of the way it protects the school’s independence and brand,” Judson said. “We were all given a blank canvas to work with and I think Jack ultimately appreciated our approach and the enthusiasm of our other partners.”
JOINING A STRONG LIST: JMI’s multimedia rights clients include Clemson, Georgia (through a joint venture with IMG College), Kentucky, Columbia, Penn and the Ivy League. ND is Legends’ first multimedia rights client. The school and Legends previously worked together on the Campus Crossroads Project, developing capital gift and annual donation pricing, and executing sales campaigns for new premium seating inventory in the renovated stadium. “Our commitment includes building a team of highly qualified sports and sponsorship professionals who have a strong affection and understanding of Notre Dame, its history and its iconic reputation,” Mirhashemi said.
“We knew going in that Notre Dame was going to be very unique because of the way it protects the school’s independence and brand,” Judson said. “We were all given a blank canvas to work with and I think Jack ultimately appreciated our approach and the enthusiasm of our other partners.”
JMI’s multimedia rights clients include Clemson, Georgia (through a joint venture with IMG College), Kentucky, Columbia, Penn and the Ivy League. ND is Legends’ first multimedia rights client. The school and Legends previously worked together on the Campus Crossroads Project, developing capital gift and annual donation pricing, and executing sales campaigns for new premium seating inventory in the renovated stadium. “Our commitment includes building a team of highly qualified sports and sponsorship professionals who have a strong affection and understanding of Notre Dame, its history and its iconic reputation,” Mirhashemi said.
