Mike Vest
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Mike Vest | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 20, 1978 Topeka, Kansas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Kansas |
| Occupation | Sports executive |
| Known for | Co-founder of Lionsbridge FC and former senior executive at Big Ten Network, IMG and Atlantic 10 Conference. |
Mike Vest is an American sports executive who co-founded Lionsbridge FC in USL League Two, and previously held senior-level roles at the Atlantic 10 Conference, IMG and Big Ten Network. Vest has been at the forefront of new trends at the intersection of sports, social media and media rights.
Early life
[edit]Vest grew up in Overland Park, Kan and graduated from the University of Kansas.[1]
Career
[edit]While still an undergraduate, Vest began his career at the University of Kansas under the tutelage of future CoSIDA Hall of Famers Doug Vance and Dean Buchan.[2]
From 2000-07, Vest worked in the athletic department at Wake Forest University, most closely with the men's soccer, baseball and football programs.[3]
In 2007, Vest relocated to Chicago to help launch the Big Ten Network as one of its original 25 employees.[4] He managed public relations and publicity for network executives and talent.[5] Vest also oversaw social media and developed one of the television industry's first Second Screen experiences with BTN Connect in conjunction with Spredfast.[6]
In 2014, Vest joined the Atlantic 10 Conference as Associate Commissioner for External Affairs.[7] There, Vest managed the league's television and digital media rights, leading negotiations made the Atlantic 10 Conference to become the first NCAA conference to sign a media rights agreement with Facebook.[8]
In 2017, Vest partnered with Virginia business executives Kevin Joyce and Dan Chenoweth to plan the launch of Lionsbridge FC, which began play in 2018.[9][10][11]
Personal life
[edit]Vest is a lifelong fan of the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Cubs.
References
[edit]- ^ "Player Bio: Mike Vest :: Genrel". www.wakeforestsports.com. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
- ^ "Wake boys are from KU". KUsports.com. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
- ^ "Player Bio: Mike Vest :: Genrel". www.wakeforestsports.com. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
- ^ Wharton, David (2007-08-21). "Big Ten Network finds starting up is a challenge". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
- ^ amertz2@madison.com, Adam Mertz | 608-252-6474 |. "A major production: Nine hours inside a Big Ten Network broadcast". madison.com. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Director, Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial. "BTN CONNECT ties Twitter, Stats, to Broadcast". Sports Video Group. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Mike Vest Named Atlantic 10 Conference Associate Commissioner for External Affairs". Atlantic10.com. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
- ^ Digital, Troy Dreier, Contributor, Streaming &. "Atlantic 10 Looks to Facebook Live To Share Basketball With More Fans". Sports Video Group. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
{{cite news}}:|first=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Yanchulis, Kate. "Semipro soccer coming to Newport News in form of Lionsbridge FC". dailypress.com. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
- ^ "Peninsula Pride: Mike Vest of Lionsbridge FC". American Pyramid. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
- ^ TEGNA. "Professional soccer team coming to Newport News". WVEC. Retrieved 2017-10-08.