PRO SPORTS ASSEMBLY INTRODUCES CLASS OF 2025 GOVERNING BOARD

New Directors Elected to Champion Leadership Excellence in Professional Sports

January 21, 2024 (AUSTIN, TX) Pro Sports Assembly (PRO), the association for professional sports business organizations and leaders, has elected seven new governing board members for the term 2025-2027. The Governing Board will convene for their annual retreat hosted by the Atlanta Hawks prior to the 2025 PRO + Coca-Cola Leadership Summit on campus at the Atlanta based global headquarters. 

With the professional sports industry employing 150,000+ individuals across the US (driving over 500B in total valuation in 2024), this influential workforce contributes economic, cultural and political capital in meaningful ways. As the industry matures, modernizes, and integrates with other industries and economies PRO relies on member-driven leadership to provide executives across tenures, ranks, and disciplines a forum to drive value for their organizations and the industry. These newly elected Directors join veteran Board members to guide the industry into a strong, healthy and fair future. 


Zach Abaie, Vice President of Corporate Communications for the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rock Entertainment Group, has over 13 years of experience driving communications strategies for global brands like Under Armour and D.C. United, where he achieved major growth in media coverage, social following, and sales. He has led key initiatives such as the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center groundbreaking, the launch of Rock Entertainment Group’s Rock Entertainment Sports Network, and the team’s most successful NBA City Edition uniform. A former NCAA Division I soccer captain and four-time PRSA award-winner, Zach lives in Cleveland with his wife and their border collie.


 



Chioma Atanmo, Senior Director of Community Impact for Sporting KC, has over 13 years of experience in the sports industry and founded the club’s Community Impact department in 2023. She has led initiatives distributing over $250,000 to support youth soccer and education while also running Mindful Appetite LLC, a wellness coaching company. A University of Arizona graduate and certified yoga teacher, Chioma combines her passion for health, mentorship, and community to inspire collective change and empower others to thrive.


 




Tyler Beadlescomb is the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Content for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, overseeing content production and distribution across linear and digital platforms for the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, and Gainbridge Fieldhouse. With over a decade of experience in sports and media, his career includes roles at TikTok, FOX Sports, and the Oakland Raiders. He also serves as Marketing Division Lead  for the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee and on the Notre Dame Alumni Association Board. Tyler lives in Indianapolis with his wife and their two cats. 

 






Kim Francois, Vice President of Sponsorship Activation at the Dallas Mavericks, brings 18 years of experience and a dual master's degree in Business Administration and Sports Business Management from the University of Central Florida. She leads a team focused on creating sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships between the Mavericks and their sponsors. Known for her authentic leadership style, Francois empowers her team through transparency, respect, and a commitment to fostering a positive, collaborative work environment.

 




Allison Gordon is Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Head of People Operations for the United Football League (UFL), overseeing legal matters and human resources for the League and its teams. With extensive experience in the sports and entertainment industry, including roles at ESPN, Endeavor Content, and CAA Sports, she previously served as Chief Legal Officer for Black News Channel. Gordon began her in-house legal career at NBC Sports Group and holds a BA in Communication from the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctorate from Boston University School of Law.

 

 


Crispus Gordon, III is Vice President, Government Relations and Strategic Affairs for Monumental Sports and Entertainment, overseeing public policy initiatives for venues and teams including the Washington Wizards, Mystics, and Capitals. Previously, he managed government affairs for Destination DC and served as a legislative assistant for the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia. Gordon holds a J.D. from American University Washington College of Law, an MPA from American University, and a B.A. in Political Science from Dillard University. He serves on the boards of the Anacostia BID and Federal City Council and resides in Washington, DC.


 




Inky Son is Chief Administrative Officer at the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), where she has led organizational restructuring and enhanced workplace culture. With over 20 years of global experience, she previously served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Chief of Staff, as well as Vice President of Licensing for THINK450, the NBPA’s for-profit arm, driving significant revenue growth. Before joining the NBPA, Son led licensed apparel strategy at the MLB Players Association and spent 13 years in the fashion industry, managing international development for brands like Calvin Klein and DKNY. She holds a B.S. in Marketing from Georgetown University and resides in Brooklyn.





“On behalf of our current Governing Board and growing membership, we look forward to working with and growing alongside this inspiring, respected, and innovative roster of pro sports executives. Their influence and impact will bring the PRO Game Plan for Leadership Excellence to life in new and powerful ways, ensuring a strong and sustainable future for our industry,” said Oracio Galindo, PRO Governing Board Chair and Head of Employee Experience at the Los Angeles Rams. “We are honored they are joining us in this work.” 


2025 Pro Sports Assembly Executive Committee and Officers 
Chair: Oracio Galindo, Head of Employee Experience, Los Angeles Rams 
Vice-Chair: Marina Carpenter, Head of Ownership and C Suite Strategy, Navigate
Treasurer: Nicolas Somoano, Director of Finance, NRG Park
Secretary: Alexis Roe, Vice President, DEI and Strategic Initiatives, Atlanta Hawks

Officers:
Zach Abaie, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Cleveland Cavaliers
Chioma Atanmo, Senior Director of Community Impact for Sporting KC
Tyler Beadlescomb, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Content, Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Kim Francios, Vice President, Sponsorship Activation, Dallas Mavericks
Liz Geist, Executive Vice President of People and Culture & CHRO, Chicago Bears
Asia Gholston, Vice President Marketing, Detroit Tigers
Allison Gordon, Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Head of People Operations, United Football League (UFL)
Crispus Gordon III, Vice President, Government Relations and Strategic Affairs, Monumental Sports and Entertainment
Elle Hagedorn, Sr. Director, Curry Brand Communications, Under Armour
Stacy Johns, COO, LAFC and President, Grasshopper Club Zurich
Peter John-Baptiste, Chief Communications Officer, Haslam Sports Group
Lauren Lopez, Chief People & Culture Officer, NWSL
Erin Miller, Senior Vice President, Events & Operations, NBRPA
Dr. Jamil Northcutt, CEO, Strategic Transitions Advisors
Debonaire Oates-Primus, Vice President, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Oak View Group
Leticia Silva, Senior Vice President, People Operations, Minnesota Twins
Inky Son, Chief Administrative Officer, National Basketball Players Association (NBPA)


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About Pro Sports Assembly 
Established in 2019, Pro Sports Assembly (“PRO”) is the association for professional sports organizations and business leaders. PRO organizations drive value for the industry by creating economies of scale and scope around leadership development, research and advocacy. Members of PRO are inclusive and unite to create a strong, healthy, and fair future for the professional sports industry. 

The power of Pro Sports Assembly comes to life because PRO members champion their individual development, organization and industry.Collectively, PRO members set the standard for leadership excellence in professional sports. For more information on Pro Sports Assembly, please visit www.prosportsassembly.org and connect on LinkedIn. 

For more information contact: 
[email protected]

 
 
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