COLUMBIA, S.C. – Nick Kistler has been appointed Gamecock Sports Properties’ general manager as announced today by LEARFIELD, athletics multimedia rightsholder for the University of South Carolina.
Kistler brings more than 15 years of sports marketing, sponsorship and sales experience to LEARFIELD’s Columbia-based team. This marks a promotion for Kistler, who most recently served three years as associate general manager for Gamecock Sports Properties. In the general manager position, he will continue to work closely with the athletics administration and Athletics Director Ray Tanner on all aspects of the overall rights relationship.
“Gamecock Sports Properties is a valued, trusted partner of our athletics department, and we’re elated to see Nick elevated to the general manager position. We’re confident he’ll do a tremendous job, and he is a great ambassador for our university,” said Tanner.
Prior to his move to South Carolina, Kistler was a senior account executive, corporate partnerships for MLB’s Baltimore Orioles. He also served on the respective university multimedia rights teams representing Clemson and Southern Mississippi. Kistler is an East Carolina University alumnus holding a sports and recreational management degree.
“I am excited to continue my career here at South Carolina and lead our incredible corporate partnerships team.” said Kistler. “Coach Tanner and our colleagues within the athletics department have created a collaborative, forward-thinking culture that is poised for growth. I’m thrilled to continue our work building the Gamecock brand and creating meaningful partnerships between USC and our brand partners.”
“The combination of experience Nick brought to our team three years ago and his success working with corporate partners and Athletics as associate general manager make him a valuable fit as our South Carolina GM. We’re pleased to have him leading Gamecock Sports Properties,” said LEARFIELD Senior Vice President, Multi-Media Rights, South Region Joe Baldini.
LEARFIELD is a leading media, data and technology services company in intercollegiate athletics. The company unlocks the value of sports for brands and fans through an omnichannel platform with innovative content and commerce solutions. LEARFIELD 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. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.