RALEIGH, N.C. – Learfield Sports named Mike Hurley associate general manager for its Wolfpack Sports Properties (WSP) entity, which manages NC State’s comprehensive athletic multimedia rights.
Hurley joins WSP today with more than 25 years of regional, statewide and national sales, marketing and promotional experience. He has lived in the Raleigh market since 1994, when he began working for Capitol Networks as sales manager. Three years later, he was general manager for Capitol Sports. Hurley’s deep association with sports business in the Raleigh area also includes serving two years as director of sales for the Durham Bulls Baseball Club and an eight-year stint with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. In 2002, he was a corporate sales executive for the Hurricanes, and from 2003-2010, he was the team’s director of broadcasting and corporate sales.
The last two years, Hurley has been a partner in sports sales and marketing consultancy, Intangibles, LLC, representing such local and national brands as USA Baseball, Durham Bulls and Carolina RailHawks. Additionally, Hurley has been actively involved in the community for years. He has served with the Raleigh Sports Council on its executive steering committee and NHL All-Star Game Task Force; served as chairman for the CIAA Basketball Tournament sponsorship committee; and been a member of the Leadership Circle for Triangle United Way.
Hurley will work alongside Wolfpack Sports Properties’ General Manager Brian Asbill and the entire WSP team to ensure all aspects of the athletics’ partnership are fulfilled. WSP develops corporate partnerships for the Wolfpack and manages all other rights including signage, event marketing, radio play-by-play and coaches’ shows, television coaches’ shows and official athletic web site sponsorships.
“We’re extremely pleased to have Mike joining our Wolfpack Sports Properties team,” said Learfield Sports’ Senior Vice President Steve Gowan. “He is a sports marketing veteran who possesses tremendous creativity, professionalism and market knowledge. Mike is a perfect fit for our sales team as we continue to serve the NC State constituency.”
Wolfpack Sports Properties, LLC is the locally based joint venture of Learfield Sports and Capitol Broadcasting Company established in spring 2012. Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company, and Learfield Sports manages the multimedia rights for more than 50 collegiate institutions and associations. It also titles the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup with award co-founders NACDA and USA Today. To learn more about the company, its 40-year history and complete collegiate portfolio, visit www.learfieldsports.com.