Fenway Sports Management (FSM) is a global sports marketing firm that specializes in partnership sales, consulting, and the creation of unique and memorable events and experiences. FSM is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with an office in New York City. Founded in 2004, it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fenway Sports Group, the parent company of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club, among other assets.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Sam Kennedy, CEO Mark Lev, President |
| Parent | Fenway Sports Group |
| Divisions | Boston Red Sox Liverpool F.C. Roush Fenway Racing MLB Advanced Media NESN Boston College Athletics Deutsche Bank Championship |
| Subsidiaries | Salem Red Sox[1][2] |
| Footnotes / references [3][4] | |
Properties and clients
editDuring its first year, FSM entered into an exclusive sponsorship sales agreement with MLB Advanced Media and Boston College's major intercollegiate sports.[5]
Since its inception, FSM has continued to create sponsorship programs and, as of 2014, counted the Red Sox, Liverpool F.C., LeBron James, Roush Fenway Racing, MLB.com, the PGA Tour's THE NORTHERN TRUST, NESN, and the Salem Red Sox among its client base. FSM's consulting clients include Dunkin' Donuts, Gulf Oil, JetBlue, and Santander.
In addition, FSM purchased the Salem Avalanche, a minor league baseball franchise in the High Class A Carolina League, in December 2007. On September 19, 2008, FSM announced that the Salem franchise, eventually renamed the Salem Red Sox, would replace the Lancaster JetHawks as Boston's High A affiliate in 2009.
In October 2009, FSG announced a new partnership with Fulham of the English Premiership, with shirt sponsorship to start in 2011.[6]
In April 2011, FSM became the sole marketer of the global rights of NBA superstar LeBron James, in a management partnership deal with James and his manager Maverick Carter. As part of the deal, James and Carter both became minority stake holders in FSG's Liverpool F.C.[7]
In January 2012, FSM negotiated a sponsorship agreement between Liverpool F.C. and Warrior Sports worth £25 million per season as of the 2012/13 season, overtaking the English club record of £23.3 million paid by Nike for supplying Manchester United Football Club and the previous deal from Adidas worth £13 million.
In January 2014, FSM became the marketer of the global rights of 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, in a management partnership deal with LRMR Management.[8]
In February 2015, FSM became an investor in the Pawtucket Red Sox of the Triple-A International League, when a new ownership group led by then-Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino (and including two limited partners in Fenway Sports Group) acquired the PawSox from the heirs of late owner Ben Mondor.[9] The PawSox franchise relocated in 2021 and is now the Worcester Red Sox.
Leadership
editIn October 2009, Sam Kennedy was promoted to succeed Mike Dee (who became chief executive officer of the Miami Dolphins in May 2009) as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Red Sox, and president of Fenway Sports Management.[10]
On August 1, 2015, Lucchino announced his pending retirement as president/CEO of the Boston Red Sox, with Sam Kennedy promoted to president of the baseball club. Kennedy was signed to a new five-year contract as president and CEO of both the Red Sox and Fenway Sports Management on August 2, 2017.[11] Mark Lev was promoted from managing director to president of FSM on December 10, 2018.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Fenway Sports Management to buy Va. minor league baseball team". Boston Business Journal. December 10, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
- ^ "FENWAY SPORTS GROUP LEADS INVESTMENT GROUP THAT ACQUIRES MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'S SALEM AVALANCHE" (Press release). Salem Avalanche. December 12, 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-02-19. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
- ^ John Helyar (October 18, 2007). "Red Sox go where other LCS teams can't -- to the revenue races". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
- ^ Jimmy Golen (August 19, 2007). "Red Sox expand their reach in sporting world through Fenway Sports Management". USA Today. Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
- ^ "Sponsorships at Boston College". BCEagles.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-10. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
- ^ "/ UK - Fulham strikes marketing deal with Boston Red Sox group". Ft.com. 2009-10-19. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
- ^ "LeBron James in Deal With Fenway Sports". The Wall Street Journal. 2011-04-06. Retrieved 2011-04-06.
- ^ "Fenway Sports Management to represent "Johnny Football"". The Boston Globe. 2014-01-15. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
- ^ Pawtucket Red Sox official website
- ^ "Red Sox announce front office promotions". Boston.redsox.mlb.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
- ^ Chronis, Evan (August 3, 2017). "Sam Kennedy elevated to CEO of Red Sox". Boston Red Sox official web site. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
- ^ BusinessWire (December 10, 2018): Mark Lev Named President of Fenway Sports Management