IRVING, Texas – Learfield IMG College announced today it has named Sean Desmond general manager to lead The American Sports Properties, its local team representing the American Athletic Conference.
Desmond will lead all day-to-day operations for The American Sports Properties, working alongside the Conference staff. Learfield IMG College is the dedicated sponsorship sales partner for The American and sells all Conference assets and tournaments. Aside from the league-level relationship, Learfield IMG College also has individual multimedia rights agreements with eight member institutions – Cincinnati, ECU, Houston, Memphis, SMU, Temple, Tulane and Tulsa.
This marks a return to The American for Desmond, who previously served as manager, business development for The American Sports Properties from 2018-2020 during the first two years of the relationship. Most recently, Desmond was serving as manager, business development with Learfield IMG College’s Providence Venues and Sports Properties team that serves as the sponsorship sales arm for Dunkin’ Donuts Center, Rhode Island Convention Center, and The VETS. Desmond also was integral in securing strategic corporate partnerships on behalf of the Providence College Friars and the AHL’s Providence Bruins.
Prior to joining Learfield IMG College, Desmond spent nearly four years working with the MLB’s Boston Red Sox as part of the season ticket sales and reward teams. He also previously served as corporate partnerships manager for the Boston Cannons professional lacrosse organization.
“Sean has done an outstanding job at our Providence Venues and Sports Properties team, and of course already has an affinity with The American, serving on our staff when we began representing the Conference and headquarters were in Providence,” said Learfield IMG College Vice President, Multi-Media Rights East Region Daryl Jasper. “We’re excited to have him lead our dedicated Conference team, to continue growing The American brand, and bringing innovative ideas to sponsors and the league staff.”
Learfield IMG College is a leading media and technology services company in intercollegiate athletics. The company unlocks the value of college sports for brands and fans through an omnichannel platform with innovative content and commerce solutions for fan engagement. The Learfield IMG College suite of services includes licensing and multimedia sponsorship management; publishing, audio, digital and social media; data analytics; ticketing, ticket sales and professional concessions expertise; branding; campus-wide business and sponsorship development; and venue technology systems. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, the company has long had the privilege of being an advocate for intercollegiate athletics and the student-athlete experience. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield IMG College Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.