P
am Batalis hasn’t shrunk from a challenge, whether it’s competing to sell sponsorships for the University of Massachusetts in pro sports-heavy Boston or launching the first women’s basketball shoe years ago at Reebok.
Pam Batalis
LEARFIELD,
VICE PRESIDENT,
EAST REGION
Her variety of experiences, which also include helping launch a women’s basketball league (the ABL), make Batalis one of the more intriguing sports executives in the business with one of the most diverse résumés.
“I can’t explain why, but I’ve always gravitated toward building something new or taking a business to the next level,” Batalis said. “Maybe what I’ve been blessed with is the desire to take on a challenge.”
All of those experiences have led her to Learfield, where she oversees eight schools out of the 29 in the company’s East region: Army, Dartmouth, Fordham, Maine, Manhattan, New Hampshire, Seton Hall and Vermont.
As a regional vice president, Batalis makes sure the Learfield sales teams at those schools are hitting their goals. But she’s also an invaluable problem-solver for athletic directors at those schools. During Batalis’ career, she’s worked with Billie Jean King on building World TeamTennis and she wrote the business plan for that first women’s shoe for team sports at Reebok.
“I do feel like I can help an AD address any challenge,” Batalis said. “If they need help with a shoe and apparel deal, well, I cut my teeth building team sales for Reebok. I think I can be a resource.”
— Michael Smith
