June 27, 2024 – Nolan Partners, an Excel Sports Management company, has placed Kevin Flaherty as chief financial officer of United States Tennis Association (USTA) in White Plains, NY. “Congratulations to Kevin Flaherty on his recent appointment as CFO of United States Tennis Association,” Nolan Partners said in a LinkedIn post. “Thank you to our partners at USTA for trusting us with this search, and we wish Kevin all the best in his new role.”
“Kevin has a proven track record of success throughout his career at some of the most well-respected institutions in sports and finance,” said Lew Sherr, executive director and CEO of USTA. “He brings a wealth of experience that will be a tremendous asset to our organization. This is an exciting time for the USTA as we are implementing growth strategies that will help to grow the game at both the grassroots and professional levels.”
“Kevin’s insight and skill will be invaluable moving forward. In addition, his extensive work in collaboration with the 32 NFL clubs on a variety of matters will be hugely beneficial as we continue to elevate our coordination with and support of the 17 USTA Sections,” Mr. Sheer said. “We are incredibly excited to have Kevin join the USTA, and I look forward to having him as a part of our leadership team.”
Mr. Flaherty comes to the USTA having served as the NFL’s senior vice president of club finance. In that role, he led the team responsible for the financial analysis used to inform ownership on the overall League economic model and inform decision-making in areas including club financial policy development, stadium projects, stadium financing programs, ownership transactions, debt policy and issuance, revenue sharing, pension plan management, and other strategic initiatives. Before his 15 years with the NFL, Mr. Flaherty held positions at global companies, including GE Capital, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, and PaineWebber.
Reporting to Mr. Sherr, Mr. Flaherty is responsible for leading the financial management strategy for the USTA and will be instrumental in developing and executing financial and operational strategies, metrics and control systems to optimize the organization’s assets and promote the growth of tennis. He will also play a pivotal role within the organization, working closely with the other members of the executive leadership team and the board of directors to achieve ambitious organizational goals.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a strategic partner to Lew, the leadership team and board of directors and contribute to growing the great game of tennis, enhancing the organization and optimizing the US Open, one of the finest sporting events in the world,“ said Mr. Flaherty. “I am very excited to be a part of a mission-driven organization that can have a positive impact on so many players and communities and look forward to working closely with the sections to help them achieve their goals.”
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The United States Tennis Association is the national governing body for tennis in the United States. A not-for-profit organization with more than 700,000 members, it invests 100 percent of its proceeds to promote and develop the growth of tennis, from the grass-roots to the professional levels. The USTA also runs the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center which hosts the U.S. Open every year.
A Sports & Entertainment Search Firm
Nolan Partners is a leading executive search firm with a dedicated focus on sports and entertainment. Since its founding in 2006, the firm has placed more than 750 executives across six continents and 30-plus sports. Nolan Partners works on a global basis with clients that range from world-famous sporting clubs, governing bodies, professional leagues, venues, agencies, universities, broadcasters, and the major corporate organizations involved in sport. Based in London, the firm also has offices in New York and Dallas. It is led by Paul Nolan, global chief executive, and Chad Biagini, president. Nolan Partners was acquired by Excel Sports Management last year.
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Nolan Partners’ client portfolio includes Manchester United FC, Liverpool FC, beIN, Chicago Cubs, NBA, NFL, MLB, Washington Football Team, Wimbledon, Mercedes Formula One, PGA Tour, Breeders’ Cup, Los Angeles Clippers, and the British Olympic Association. Its business practice specializes in recruiting senior leaders such as chairpersons, chief executives, C-suite, and vice presidents. Its performance practice identifies specialist technical/performance talent such as general managers, technical directors, sporting directors, and functional experts in scouting/recruitment, sports medicine, nutrition, and sports science.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
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