Excel Sports Management
Christina Milano
Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships, Excel Sports Management
Age: 28
Born: Brewster, N.Y.
Education: Cornell University, B.S., hotel administration
About you
Could not go a day without: My gym bag followed by Chocolate Chocolate Chip Häagen-Dazs ice cream.
Most common misperception of your generation: Money is our motivator.
Go-to person when you need help: My parents, Frank and Jackie, my sister, Candice, and my boyfriend, Matt. They know me the best and live out the very things they expect of me. They know how to perfectly balance the right amount of encouragement, comfort and inspiration that I need so I can give my best every day and grow.
In 10 years, I hope to be … : The world’s best wife and mother first and foremost, while also always challenging my career aspirations.
With this industry being so passion driven, it often can get away with ignoring technology and can fall short in becoming early adopters of next-generation innovations.
In the industry
Most exciting aspect of sports business: Building. Whether it’s a new venue project, emerging content platform or even an athlete’s brand, I am energized by developing new ideas and experiences for fans to most authentically experience the sports and athletes they love. Many may believe that closing a deal is the most exciting part of a business, but the deal-making process is the most fulfilling to me.
How should sports address social issues: While every issue needs to be approached individually, one general shift that I would love to see in our industry’s handling of social issues is not just simply taking a stance by making a statement or tweeting. Regardless of which side of an issue an athlete/team/league is on, we should go beyond the statement and be brave enough to propose an attainable solution. This means putting our money, resources, reputations, popularity, ratings, etc. where our mouth is and, in small or big ways, becoming the example of peaceful and respectful change that we expect of the world.
Sports industry needs to do a better job of … : Not leaving athletes behind once they are no longer actively competing.
