TRUSTED BY LEADERS ACROSS
SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT & BUSINESS
Gainor Sports helps professional teams, leagues, brands, venues and sports organizations grow sponsorship revenue, create stronger partnerships and engage fans in new ways. See what industry leaders say about working with Brian Gainor on sponsorship strategy, revenue growth, fan experience and organizational innovation.
FEATURED PERSPECTIVES
BIG THINKING. CLEAR DIRECTION. MEASURABLE ACTION.
“Brian Gainor is an excellent resource for any team or property. His thoughtful approach to building platforms resonated with our group, and his collaborative style, deep industry knowledge, and genuine commitment to helping others succeed make him a trusted partner.”
Hallie Olson
Senior Vice President I Cleveland Cavaliers + Rock Entertainment Group (REG)
“Brian brought tremendous value to the Durham Bulls by challenging us with a simple idea: “What got us here won’t get us there.” He couldn’t have been more right, particularly given some of the challenges we are facing today. It’s one thing to identify what needs to change; it’s another to provide specific recommendations and a clear path forward that can drive measurable results.”
“Because of Brian’s work, we now have greater clarity around where we need more focus, alignment and accountability across our organization. He has a unique ability to connect organizational structure with strategy, data and execution to build a more effective demand-generation engine.”
Mike Birling
Vice President I CBC Sports
“Gainor Sports has helped TPG shape and continue to evolve our National GTM sales strategy. Brian brings to the table a wealth of research and data capabilities that helps us partner with the right brands, develop unique and innovative marketing campaigns that deliver measurable results for our partners. He is more than a consultant; he is part of our team. We would not have achieved our exponential growth without his expertise.”
Rob Muggleston
Vice President I TPG
SPONSORSHIP GROWTH WORKSHOPS
“Gainor Sports’ sales training continues to have a lasting impact on our team. We regularly reference the strategies and frameworks he shared with uncovering big ideas and focusing on 360 selling. The fact that we continue to reference these principles is a testament to the lasting value of his training. It was a productive, collaborative day for our partnership team, tailored to every level of experience in the room."
Glen Oskin
Vice President I Miami Heat
“Brian Gainor delivered an engaging, highly relevant training for our entire Corporate Partnerships team that gave us practical tools and fresh perspective we could immediately apply to our work. His ability to connect strategy to real-world examples made the session both impactful and memorable.”
Will Syring
Vice President I Oklahoma City Thunder
“Brian Gainor has become a trusted advisor for me, and my team, over the years. After we won the World Series in 2023, Brian created a workshop for our Partnerships team to capitalize on the moment and close more business. Brian has a rare ability to combine big-picture strategic thinking with creative, practical ideas that drive results. I highly recommend Brian’s services for any competitive business team.”
Chad Wynn
Senior Vice President I Texas Rangers
STRATEGIC THINKING
“One of the things I've always admired about Brian is his ability to think differently, see around corners, and then communicate complex ideas in a way that's both clear and actionable.”
Ron Seaver
Founder I National Sports Forum
"Working with Brian has been a great experience for our team. He brings a rare combination of strategic thinking, professionalism, and a proactive partnership that makes him easy to trust and effective to work with."
Chris Stathos
Director of Partnerships I Hallmark
“Brian helped the Overton Park Shell see our brand—and our potential—with greater clarity during a pivotal period of growth. His strategic insight gave us a foundation that continues to inform our decisions, strengthen our positioning, and shape our future today.”
Natalie Wilson
Executive Director I The Overton Park Shell
"What I appreciate most about Brian is he truly makes our team think critically about how we can best serve our partners in all phases of the process. From how we brainstorm bespoke ideas/platforms, to how we can take longstanding marquee assets and put a unique spin on them, to how we create memorable experiences for them when we are with them. He always supports these ideas with best practices from a wide scope of relevant experiences and clients. Brian is also someone that you can depend on to think about (and force our team to think about) “why we can” vs. the obstacles that make something challenging, which I am extremely grateful for.”
Justin Baldinger
Senior Director I Columbus Blue Jackets
CREATIVITY + INNOVATION
“Brian is one of the best thought leaders in the sponsorship industry, consistently bringing a unique combination of creativity, real-world expertise and actionable insights that challenge our team and partners to think bigger and differently.”
Jon Moses
Vice President I Sporting KC
"When Brian spoke at our partner summit, you could hear a pin drop — the whole room was locked in on what he had to say. That's Brian in a nutshell: everything begins and ends with value creation. When I'm stuck for an idea, an intro or just advice, my first call is to Brian. He's simply one of the most creative forces in our industry and I could not recommend him enough."
Rishi Lal
Partnerships Leader l SEVN Sports + Entertainment
TRUST + COLLABORATION
"Gainor Sports was the perfect complement to our team on specific projects, helping us scale our creative and strategy resources. Brian is the consummate professional: hardworking and creative, with deep institutional knowledge that adds real value for rights holders, brands, and fellow agencies alike.”
Matt Grandis
Managing Partner I Team Playmaker
"Working with Brian was one of the most creatively fulfilling experiences of my career. He had a rare ability to turn even the most ambitious ideas into actionable plans, while never losing sight of the people doing the work. Approachable and genuinely kind, Brian made it easy to bring problems forward, and their flexibility meant our team could adapt and grow without ever feeling micromanaged.”
Samantha Zardus
Lead Marketing Consultant & Former Teammate
“To me, Brian is the best in the industry. His expertise in sports sponsorship, knowledge of the sports landscape across the country, and vast network are a powerful trifecta. Through the Jacksonville Sports and Entertainment Network, I’ve seen firsthand the impact he makes by connecting people and creating opportunities in our community.”
Kyle Kashuck
Co-Founder I Jacksonville Sports & Entertainment Network
"Brian Gainor is an innovator, team builder, and strategic thinker. He's a true, consummate professional who will help elevate your company and brand. He's experienced across multiple industries and truly cares about the people he works with. I value Brian's expertise, direction and insights, and I'm confident in saying that he's undoubtedly one of the best in the business."
Lamar Reams
Sports Administration Department Chair I Ohio University College of Business
“As a startup, every dollar matters, and we have to be very thoughtful about where we invest. Working with Brian has been one of the smartest investments we’ve made. He understands the sports industry, is incredibly well connected, and has been a trusted sounding board who has helped shape our strategy and opened important doors as we’ve grown our business.”
Austin Fletcher
CEO I Momento
IMPACT + GROWTH
"A leader in sports analytics and research, Brian delivers data-driven evaluations that transform complex metrics into high-impact business strategies."
Vince O’Brien
Global Sports & Entertainment Consultant l OMR Consulting
“Having worked with Brian at 4FRONT and Legends, I’ve seen firsthand how his creativity, deep understanding of the sports industry, and ability to build meaningful relationships make him a valuable partner.”
Heather Klein
Founder I Meadow Path Media
“I first met Brian Gainor during my time at FELD Entertainment, and from day one, he walked into every room with a smile and a whirlwind of creativity, always ready to cultivate the next great partnership idea. Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to collaborate in different capacities—from esports to the launch of TGL—and one thing about Brian has never changed: you’ll rarely, if ever, hear the word “no” from him. He sees possibilities where others see roadblocks and brings an infectious energy to turning ideas into something bigger. Brian is truly one of my favorite humans to collaborate with when it comes to partnership ideation—and an even better person to call a friend.”
Ashley Klopcic
Founder l Chalk Talk Advisors
“I've had the privilege of working with Brian from three different seats- as a brand partner during my time as Vice President at Samsung, as a colleague at Legends, and now as a partner in my role as CRO of OneRevel. Through all of it, one thing has stayed constant: Brian is the smartest mind in sports. He understands every corner of this business, and he is one of the most creative problem solvers I've ever met.”
When it comes to partnership activations, he is, hands down, the most creative person in the industry. But what truly sets Brian apart is his character. He is always the first to help, to make an introduction, or to open a door for someone, and he does it without ever thinking about what's in it for him. Of all the ways we've worked together, what I'm most thankful for is the friendship we've built over the years. Everyone in this industry values Brian's brains, but the people who know him best value his friendship even more. Brian is a true blessing to the sports industry, and any organization that gets to work with him is better for it.”
Brett Unzicker
Chief Revenue Officer l OneRevel