MATT HAAS
Director of marketing and advertising,
AAA Mid-Atlantic
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Pearl Jam
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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Book: “The History of Surfing,” by Matt Warshaw. I may never be all that good at my new hobby, but at least I’ll know how to talk a big game.
Music: My Christmas wish is for Pearl Jam to go ahead and announce that long-rumored spring U.S. tour. In the meantime, I’ll settle for a ticket to the Clutch show at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia at the end of December.
Technology: Hope to finally get a MacBook Air so that I can downsize my home computer.
For my son, Hunter, this Christmas it will be an all-sports Christmas, as he’s asked for a USA Hockey jersey, a Shayne Gostisbehere Flyers jersey and a Duke Blue Devils basketball jersey to go along with various pieces of equipment for hockey and baseball hobbies.
TOM KNAPP
Senior vice president of golf sponsorships,
NBC Sports Group
Hope for: Really need a new home laptop. Not sure if I should go Mac or PC. I’ll just let Santa make the call …
Giving: This year I’m giving friends and business partners a copy of the book “The Influentials,” by Ed Keller and Jon Berry. A great read which also (purely coincidentally) happens to describe our influential viewer who delivers impact through passion.
STEVE PENNY
CEO, USA Gymnastics
I am a firm believer that “it is better to give than to receive” and I love to shop during the holidays. I spend a lot of time on the Williams-Sonoma website because they have great sales. For extended family gifts my wife and I take to the Under Armour website for nieces and nephews, and I have found that my siblings enjoy gourmet olive oil. It is also not unusual for some to see a bottle of Silver Oak. I am hoping Santa might deliver a new smoker under the tree.
GERARDO PRADO
Sports group director, HNTB
We recently gave away our old Christmas tree to a family with five kids that had recently lost their home to a fire. In talking to them, it made us reflect on the importance of giving to others in need vs. buying things for ourselves. We have elected to still buy a few gifts for our children but focus more on giving to others.
For my 6-year-old daughter, Luciana, we are getting a Calico Critters schoolhouse, Shopkins and baseball cards (yes, she wants baseball cards!).
For my two boys, Matteo and Lucas, we decided to give them a shared gift they have wanted for three-plus years: an Xbox One.
For my wife, I am still working on something special that demonstrates my love for her.
For some of my close friends in the sports industry, I will be sending them a personal note of appreciation and some “Happy Socks” with fun colors to help them ring the new year in style.
As a personal gift to our family, we will be going to the Appalachian Mountains after Christmas to spend quality time with my sisters and parents.
BEN STURNER
Founder and CEO, Leverage Agency
Gadgets: I would like to have a day in which I am gadget-free during the holidays, but would be fun to get a Fitbit to start the new year’s resolutions off right.
Books: I look forward to previewing “Life Is Not an Accident,” by Jay Williams, before it comes out in January.
Music: Hoping to finally activate my Sirius-XM subscription and listen to the all-’90s channel and old-school hip-hop.
Giving: For my 1-year-old son, anything Elmo related. He goes crazy for Elmo.
I’d like to take my wife for a long weekend in South Beach and maybe a trip to Cuba.
I’d like to show gratitude to my Leverage staff and take them out to a private dinner and showing of “Spectre” in New York City.
BRIAN SWALLOW
Senior vice president of strategy
and business development, Fanatics
With two little boys (4 and 2), the “it” item of the year is anything featuring Pete the Cat. I’ve also been subtly reminded on a few occasions that a Paw Patrol Paw Patroller would make a certain kid very happy for at least 20 minutes. With all my wife puts up with, she can expect some spa time and the prerequisite gift cards for things I would never know how to pick out.
For me, it’s simple: a few bottles of Merus Cabernet to break out on special occasions, the latest Apple TV or an Oculus Rift VR headset for the inner geek in me … and many more holidays to spend with family, including my two 90-plus-year-old grandmothers!
BRENDA TINNEN
Senior vice president and general manager,
AEG Kansas City/Sprint Center
Next up on my holiday reading list is “Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder,” by Arianna Huffington. Money and power are widely understood metrics of success across all industries. Having recently heard Arianna speak, I am intrigued to hear her candid story of balancing personal and professional demands in a 24/7 culture as well as learn any lessons that are applicable in an entertainment and sports environment.
On the music and movies front, whether it be critically acclaimed films or the Grammy nominations CD, the holidays are a special time to make memories while preparing for the 2016 awards season and enjoy the company of family and friends.
Gifts I like to give: In the world of sports and entertainment, it is unusual to have the gift of time, and due to a light holiday calendar Sprint Center has some time off before we head into a busy first quarter. So in this rare circumstance, my gift to Sprint Center staff is to share the gift of time off to enjoy with friends and family.
