CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Collegiate marketer Learfield recently appointed Shawn Kuzmin general manager to lead its “Hurricane Sports Properties” (HSP) team at the University of Miami. HSP oversees the Hurricanes’ comprehensive multimedia rights including signage, digital, radio and television play-by-play and coaches’ shows, as well as the corporate partner platform.

Kuzmin, a 20-year veteran sports marketer, returns to South Florida, having previously served as vice president, sales at Legends in Miami and as vice president, sales and fan experience for the NHL’s Florida Panthers (2012-2013). Prior to HSP, Kuzmin most recently was CEO and limited partner for Steven Brothers Sports Management in Allen, Texas, leading the overall direction for the company’s ECHL franchises in Allen, Tulsa, Okla. and Wichita, Kan. His other sports sales and sponsorship experience includes serving as vice president for sales, service and retention for MLB’s Pittsburgh Pirates and serving 14 years as senior vice president of sales and service at Palace Sports & Entertainment in Auburn Hills, Mich.

“Shawn’s been a great asset to our Hurricane Sports Properties team in a short amount of time, and we’re pleased he’s here. He will oversee a tremendous partnership, with a nationally recognized brand in the University of Miami,” said Learfield Vice President Keith Bradshaw. “We knew his knowledge of the South Florida footprint, as well as his exceptional experience crossing all aspects of the sports and sponsorship business, would make him a great fit as he will lead a team to create and develop high value partnerships within regional and statewide levels”.

An industry leader for more than four decades, Learfield represents more than 120 collegiate institutions, conferences and arenas. The company has a deep presence in the college athletics landscape nationwide and supports athletic departments at all competitive levels as title sponsor of the prestigious Learfield Directors’ Cup. Learfield also provides its collegiate partners access to professional concessions and ticket sales; branding, licensing and trademark consulting; digital and social platform expertise; campus-wide business and sponsorship development; and venue and technology systems through its affiliated companies.