Tommy Knapp

About Tommy Knapp

A veteran commercial sales and sponsorship executive with two decades of experience in the NFL, MLB, NHL NASL, and USL, as well as start up and early stage pickleball stadiums and esports complexes. Chief Commercial Officer - Specializing in launching and implementing sales process and teams that accelerate successful, substaintial, and sustainbale revenue performance across all verticals, specifically sponsorship, tickets sales and events.Feasibility StudiesMarket Analysis Budget PlanningGoal SettingOrg ChartJob DescriptionsRecruitingStaffingTraining Onboarding & Implementing CRM Ticketing PlatformsSales Execution Measurement Reporting/Refinement Leadership As a start up and early stage specialist Tommy was recruited by the Miami Marlins to design the corporate engagement program that was widely recognized as the leading business program in professional sports. A few other project highlights include: The production of David Beckham\'s Inter Miami pre-launch social media campaign with AKQAThe Miami Dolphins Business Combine \"Deep Dive\" into Esports with Pro Athlete Community (PAC)The launch of the World\'s First Pickleball Stadium at The FORTThe Jacksonville Icemen\'s new esports facility in The Igloo The Pickle Games in MiamiTommy’s distinctive skill set and experience, across multiple major and minor league traditional sports franchises, combined with his various sports business projects, make him a sought after start up, early stage, and restructuing sales and sponsorship expert across the minor league team sports ecosystem, maturing pickleball space, and investment cohorts preparing for their team and facility launch.

Experience

1. Executive Director of Partnerships

   Palm Beach Royals

   Jan 2026 — Present · Boca Raton, FL, US

   As the Executive Director of Partnerships for the Palm Beach Royals, I lead the commercial strategy and brand integration for Palm Beach County’s first major professional sports franchise. Debuting in the 2026 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season at a record-breaking $16 million valuation, the Royals represent a premier blend of world-class athleticism and the prestige of the Palm Beach community. My role is focused on architecting high-impact alliances that connect global and local brands to our elite ownership group, which includes stars like Aleksander Barkov, Bianca Andreescu, and tech leaders from Hyperspace Ventures.I am responsible for securing and managing strategic partnerships that extend beyond traditional sponsorships, fostering deep community roots through initiatives like youth clinics and regional festivals. By leveraging our \"home base\" partnership with Boca Paddle by CityPickle and our unique ties to the broader pickleball ecosystem, I create bespoke opportunities for partners to engage with a high net worth audience in one of the world\'s most storied sporting markets. My mission is to ensure that every partner becomes an integral part of the \"Royals family\" as we redefine the professional sports landscape in Palm Beach County.Through a data driven and relationship first approach, I manage the full partnership lifecycle, from initial outreach and asset creation to execution and performance analysis. As the league enters a transformative era with expanded media deals and record viewership in 2026, I position the Royals as the premier platform for brands looking to ride the wave of the world’s fastest-growing sport. By aligning corporate objectives with the Royals’ commitment to excellence, I drive sustainable revenue growth and elevate our franchise as a global leader in professional pickleball.

Education

• Ithaca College

  Bachelor of Science, Sport Management

Skills

• Management
• Club
• Scouting
• Archtics Ticketing System
• Sponsorship Sales
• Football
• Sports Management
• Archtics
• Advertising Sales
• Time Management
• Beach Soccer
• Entrepreneurship
• Press Releases
• Strategic Partnerships
• Soccer
• Public Relations
• Media Relations
• Online Advertising
• Email Marketing
• Sports Industry
• Online Marketing
• Social Networking
• Brand Awareness
• Social Media Marketing
• Baseball
• Relationship Marketing
• Cold Calling
• Sales
• Professional Sports
• Ticket Sales
• Leadership
• Sports
• Brand Development
• Athletics
• Facebook
• Event Planning
• Sponsorship Activation
• Marketing
• Trade Shows
• Public Speaking