
Major League Rugby welcomes new League Commissioner George Killebrew
SALT LAKE CITY (December 9, 2019) – Today, Major League Rugby (MLR) announced the appointment of George Killebrew, the former Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, as Major League Rugby’s new League Commissioner.
MLR conducted a comprehensive search across North America and internationally for the Commissioner role. Killebrew was hand-selected to head up the League, which will grow to 12 teams in 2020, as it enters the third season. Killebrew boasts 27 years of experience with the Dallas Mavericks in sales, marketing, ticket sales, corporate activation, and arena management as he rose to EVP/CRO. He has also worked for the athletic department at SMU, the Dallas Sidekicks indoor soccer, Professional Sports Publications and Learfield Communications.
Killebrew’s lengthy resume and passion for sports set him apart in the search for the new Commissioner. Killebrew and his team have been recognized 15 times with NBA Awards for excellence in sponsorship sales, suites sales, sponsorship services, and corporate activation.
Through Killebrew’s leadership at the Mavericks, sponsorship revenue increased year over year, and broke all previous revenue records. Killebrew now plans to bring this expertise to the MLR.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to serve as the Commissioner for Major League Rugby,” said Killebrew. “I plan to build upon the groundwork that the MLR has laid in its first two seasons and use the third season to cement the League in the professional sports market. I will be working towards building ticket sales and sponsorships revenues and developing the very best media platform possible as we continue to help grow rugby participation across North America.”
The MLR kicks off the 2020 season on Saturday, February 8. Errik Anderson, Chairman of the Board of Governors and principal owner of the New England Free Jacks, is enthusiastic about the continued momentum of the league.
“MLR has outperformed expectations in its first two seasons in part because of a tailwind of rugby’s large global following, and our incredibly passionate domestic rugby community. George brings nearly three decades of commercial sports, media and entertainment experience, which is crucial as we transition MLR into our next phase of growth. George is a visionary sports leader grounded in commercial fundamentals while staying true to the inclusive values and traditions of our global sport,” said Anderson.
In the search for the new League Commissioner, MLR was assisted by Turnkey Search, a division of Turnkey Sports & Entertainment, one of the top executive search firms in sports and entertainment. Turnkey works for teams, leagues, brands, agencies and media outlets doing business in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS and college sports. Turnkey Managing Director Rick Alessandri said, “Rugby resonated within our industry and this search shows how bullish sports executives are on the future of rugby in North America.”
Killebrew is now active in his position as League Commissioner. Read the full feature on Killebrew from the Sports Business Journal here.
About Major League Rugby –
Major League Rugby is a professional rugby league that is entering its third season (2020) and represents the highest level of competition in North America. The league evolved from 7 teams in 2018 to 12 teams in 2020, featuring 11 from the United States and one from Canada distributed across an Eastern and Western Conference. The competition follows a league plus knockout format where teams play 16 regular season matches for a chance to advance to the playoffs. Matches are broadcast on CBS Sports Network, Facebook Live (for international viewers) and on different platforms in each local market. MLR prides itself on its incredible athletes, the passionate community behind them, and its strong values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition.
Press Contact:
Alicia Richardson
Recent Posts
HIGHLIGHTS | NOLA VS DC
NOLA Gold hosts Old Glory DC in this Eastern Conference clash in
Limited-Edition Retro Jerseys Now Available!
Gold fans now have a chance to bid on a collection of
King Creole Cup: Nola Gold Youth Rugby Tournament
Play youth rugby matches in the stadium on the Nola Gold home
FIRST XV | WK14
LOOSEHEAD PROP, JACK ISCARO – OLD GLORY DC 68 Meters Run 15
HIGHLIGHTS | NEW ENGLAND VS NOLA
Eight tries from the New England Free Jacks as they host NOLA
News Tags
Archives
- June 2023 (1)
- May 2023 (13)
- April 2023 (14)
- March 2023 (16)
- February 2023 (10)
- January 2023 (6)
- December 2022 (2)
- November 2022 (3)
- October 2022 (3)
- September 2022 (8)
- August 2022 (4)
- July 2022 (1)
- June 2022 (9)
- May 2022 (17)
- April 2022 (19)
- March 2022 (18)
- February 2022 (8)
- January 2022 (4)
- December 2021 (2)
- November 2021 (4)
- October 2021 (4)
- September 2021 (1)
- August 2021 (3)
- July 2021 (2)
- June 2021 (3)
- May 2021 (1)
- April 2021 (9)
- March 2021 (1)
- February 2021 (5)
- December 2020 (3)
- November 2020 (2)
- October 2020 (4)
- September 2020 (5)
- May 2020 (1)
- March 2020 (9)
- February 2020 (9)
- January 2020 (6)
- December 2019 (5)
- November 2019 (4)
- October 2019 (6)
- September 2019 (3)
- August 2019 (4)
- June 2019 (11)
- May 2019 (25)
- April 2019 (21)
- March 2019 (17)
- February 2019 (11)
- January 2019 (4)
- November 2018 (3)
- June 2018 (2)
- May 2018 (15)
- April 2018 (6)
- February 2018 (6)
- January 2018 (5)
- December 2017 (1)
- November 2017 (10)
- October 2017 (4)
- September 2017 (5)