Entercom Sports Bows With Veteran Exec Dee At The Helm

0

In a move that’s directly related to the company’s tax-free, Reverse Morris Trust-fueled merger with CBS Radio, Philadelphia-based Entercom Communications has appointed a highly respected sports executive as its very first President of what will be called “Entercom Sports.”


Taking the newly created position is Mike Dee, most recently President/CEO of the San Diego Padres Major League Baseball club. Dee will relocate from America’s Finest City to the City of Brotherly Love and reports directly to Entercom President/CEO David Field.

As the head of the newly formed Entercom Sports, Dee — a former President/CEO of the Miami Dolphins and Sun Life Stadium and, prior to that, COO of the Boston Red Sox — will be leading Entercom’s robust sports business with a focus on revenue development from national sales and marketing programs, new platform opportunities, key partnerships, expanded sports distribution, direct-to-consumer offerings and other entrepreneurial initiatives at the national level.

Dee will also be responsible for “elevating Entercom’s position as a leading sports media partner in support of the company’s expansive suite of local sports radio stations and personalities and sports play-by-play relationships,” the company said in a statement released Tuesday morning (5/2).

“Mike is a highly talented and accomplished executive with over 20 years of leadership experience with some of the most respected organizations in the world of sports,” Field said.  “The creation of this new role underscores our commitment to leveraging our sports platforms to compete more effectively with other media as we drive new opportunities and expand our customer base. Mike is uniquely equipped to help us develop cohesive national opportunities across sports and we are delighted to welcome him on board.”

Dee noted that he was thrilled to join Entercom “during this exciting time in the company’s history. I look forward to building on Entercom’s terrific footprint of outstanding sports properties to deliver the maximum ROI for the company and our stakeholders.”

While with the Padres, Dee led the baseball team’s efforts to revamp the organization’s baseball operations strategy, overseeing the owner’s commitment to renovate and improve Petco Park (shown, at left). Dee also spearheaded the club’s successful bid for the 2016 MLB All-Star Game and transformed Petco Park into a year-round facility with a wide range of events beyond Padres baseball.

While with the Dolphins, Dee secured a naming rights agreement with Canadian insurer Sun Life while the company was still active in the U.S.

While with the Boston Red Sox, Dee helped the franchise set records for attendance and revenue. The team holds the record for most consecutive Major League Baseball sellout crowds, with the San Francisco Giants close behind at No. 2 on the list.