Dr. Dan Kaufmann has two decades of sports and entertainment marketing experience. Dr. Kaufmann has held positions in mid-major and major collegiate sporting levels and minor and major professional organizations. He has executive experience working across functional teams with strategy, operations, international, capital expenditures corporate partnerships, media sales, media rights, digital sales, social and content sales, in-market activations, concessions, merchandising, licensing, media rights, event management, season ticket sales, premium sales, luxury suite sales, group ticket sales & ticket operations.
Dr. Kaufmann is currently the Chief Revenue Officer of Kaufmann Ventures LLC a teaching, consulting, and coaching firm specializing in the dynamic sports and entertainment industry. His clients include teams, brands, and individuals who leverage their deep understanding of the industry’s nuances to drive growth and success. Kaufmann Ventures LLC imparts knowledge and fosters strategic partnerships, ensuring clients navigate the competitive landscape effectively.
Before he started his consulting practice he was with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, overseeing a strategy and sponsorship sales team that produces outstanding results. He created and implemented a new sales strategy, leading to partnership arrangements with more significant dollar amounts, longer durations, and the first international partner in the organization’s history. Dr. Kaufmann also significantly impacted creating and implementing of the sales and renewal strategy for the New Orleans Pelicans Jersey Patch program, Radio Rights Deal & first international partnership.
Before arriving in New Orleans, Dr. Kaufmann was at the New York Jets; he focused on solving and delivering strategic business solutions to companies and governments. Dr. Kaufmann was hired in 2015 as a Senior Manager and then promoted after the 2017 season to Director of Corporate Partnerships. Dr. Kaufmann has played a role in entitlement rights for multiple partners at MetLife Stadium, the world’s largest-grossing stadium. Dr. Kaufmann composed the strategy for crucial sponsorship categories: government, non-profit, trade unions, education, construction, professional services, and entertainment. Dr. Kaufmann generated millions in total sponsorship since his arrival in 2015, including two (2) United Rentals and EY club entitlements. Dr. Kaufmann’s growth of the book of business has all been achieved while growing his portfolio by 613%.
Before joining the New York Jets, Dr. Kaufmann spent two seasons as a Manager of Business Development at the University of Wisconsin/Badger Sports Properties (a division of Learfield Sports). In his role, he forged new partnerships within the following categories: quick service restaurant, dental, consumer packaged goods, automotive, grocery, retail, and others. Dr. Kaufmann’s major accomplishment was developing a platform that solved strategies for the Agricultural industry. Dr. Kaufmann secured multiple partners over this platform, including seed companies, crop protection, trade associations, bovine genetics, post-frame buildings, and other agriculture and dairy industry companies. During his tenure, Dr. Kaufmann refined current partnerships with new concepts to derive long-term success for existing partners.
Before being promoted to University of Wisconsin/Badger Sports Properties, Dr. Kaufmann served as an Account Executive for the University of Toledo/Rocket Sports Properties (a division of Learfield Sports) in Toledo, Ohio. He helped Rocket Sports Properties get into the black for the first time. Dr. Kaufmann was the first goal hitter at Rocket Sports Properties. He was also a part of the team to be the first property out of Learfield to hit the goal.
Dr. Kaufmann spent over four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, servicing and selling season tickets, group tickets, and luxury suites. During his four years, he generated millions in revenue for new and renewed business. Before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dr. Kaufmann started his career with the Pensacola Ice Pilots of the ECHL. While working for the Ice Pilots, Dr. Kaufmann led a team of gameday workers, traffic media, game operations, in-market promotions, community relations, marketing, sales, team operations, travel operations, ticket sales, and partnerships.
Dr. Kaufmann double-majored in Communication Studies and Government and earned his BA from Hamilton College. He also earned his Master of Sports Administration and Master of Science in Marketing from the University of Tampa. Dr. Kaufmann completed his Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of South Florida with his Sports Sponsorship Sales Cycles dissertation within North American Sports. Dr. Kaufmann is passionate about paying it forward, giving back, networking, and mentoring young people to enter the sports industry. His personal website is https://www.drdankaufmann.com/. Originally from Scottsdale, AZ, he resides in Green Bay, WI with his wife Marie and their three dogs.