Kris Arnold
Alexandra Dell
Senior Vice President, Media, Sportfive
Born: Washington, D.C.
Education: Yale University, B.A., English language and literature; Columbia School of Journalism, Master’s degree; University of Virginia School of Law, J.D.
The sports and entertainment worlds are rapidly colliding, and Alexandra Dell is at that intersection overseeing Sportfive’s content partnerships. In running the agency’s entertainment arm, Dell handles everything from pitching projects and negotiating distribution deals to managing day-to-day production. “I really love that, because you’re part sales person, you’re part negotiator, you’re part producer, part pitch artist,” said Dell. “You’re everything.”
Dell joined the recently renamed Sportfive — it was Lagardère Sports before being rebranded in May — from the entertainment world in 2009, after serving in business affairs and legal roles at ContentFilm and GreenStreet Films.
“I think I was always trying to figure out a way to bring in the content and more creative side as well,” said Dell. “The company is small enough and entrepreneurial enough where they let you take some chances. … In doing that, I learned so much, and really how to start things from scratch.”
Dell’s first media project was the award-winning YouTube series “Lace Up: The Ultimate Sneaker Challenge.” The sneaker design competition featured James Harden, Damian Lillard, Macklemore, Fetty Wap and Ashley Graham, and it culminated in the creation of a limited-edition Harden sneaker by Adidas.
More recently, Dell has sold a series on Borussia Dortmund to Amazon, and upcoming projects include new series on Amazon and HBO. — Chris Smith
More about Alexandra
Biggest work/life adjustment in quarantine: Living with 7 of my family members. My husband and I left New York City for Maryland to stay with my parents for the quarantine. My sister and her family decided to join us. We thought we’d all be together for 3 weeks. It’s been 6 months. It’s like a bad reality show. Someone is going to be voted off this island soon.
Advice to my younger self: “Lighten up, Francis!” and think bigger!
Attributes I look for when hiring: Authenticity, curiosity, tenacity and a great attitude all balanced with a sense of humor.
Women in sports business I’d most like to meet: My heroes are Billie Jean King and Althea Gibson, because they’ve done so much for gender equality and breaking down barriers in sports, each in their own significant way. … Kay Koplovitz, the founder of USA Network and the first woman ever to head a television network. I am inspired by all that she does today to mentor and fund businesses run by women through her company, Springboard Growth Capital.
