Berman served in a variety of roles during her 13-plus years with the NHL prior to joining the NLLGETTY IMAGES
The National Lacrosse League has hired longtime NHL exec JESSICA BERMAN as Deputy Commissioner, making her the "first woman to hold that title for a professional men’s sports league in North America," according to Adam Stern of SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL. The league is "creating the position to help Commissioner NICK SAKIEWICZ's increasing workload that is the result of expansion, among other initiatives." Additionally, NLL COO DAVE ROWAN "left the league recently, leaving a void." The NLL "handled the search in-house." Sakiewicz said, "We’re heading into a different era. We’re going to be 13 teams next year, we’re growing our business with our media partner in BR Live/Turner, we’re expanding our business in Canada and now will have a fifth team there -- the league is now ready for a deputy commissioner." The NLL is "based in Philadelphia but also has an office" in N.Y., where Berman will "remain based." Berman, who starts Sept. 5, served in a "variety of roles during her 13-plus years with the NHL." In addition to being Deputy Commissioner, Berman, an SBJ "Forty Under 40" honoree in '14, will "oversee legal affairs, including the league’s relationship with the Professional Lacrosse Players’ Association." Berman said, "One of the things that was really enticing and frankly unique about this opportunity is it’s the roll-up of my entire career" (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/26 issue).
