Profile: Brian Verne, Wave Sports + Entertainment
Professional Background
- Position: Co-CEO at Wave Sports + Entertainment
- Tenure: Since September 2016
- Previous Positions:
- CEO at Phenom (September 2014 - September 2016)
- Sales and Marketing Manager at Verne Gallery (July 2010 - July 2012)
- Private Baseball Instructor at Brian Verne Baseball School (June 2002 - July 2009)
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Oberlin College
- Athletic Involvement: Four-year starter and two-year captain of the Oberlin College Baseball team
Company Overview: Wave Sports + Entertainment (WSE)
- Rebranding: Formerly known as WAVE.tv, the company rebranded to Wave Sports + Entertainment in December 2021.
- Core Business: A leading digital sports media and entertainment platform.
- Audience: Over 130 million highly engaged followers globally.
- Content Reach: Generates approximately 6 billion monthly video views, becoming one of the largest digital publishers in the world.
- Original Series: The network’s original series boast over 2.8 billion impressions. Notable series include:
- "New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce"
- "Podcast P with Paul George"
- "7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony & The Kid Mero"
- "The Right Time with Bomani Jones"
Achievements and Contributions
- 2023 Milestones: Marked a notable year for the Wave Sports + Entertainment Agency division, reflecting extensive work with leagues and IP holders globally.
- Awards and Recognitions:
- Finalist for Media Brand of the Year and Publisher of the Year in the Digiday Media Awards (May 2022).
- Strategic Partnerships:
- Multi-Year Sponsorship Deal with PrizePicks, integrating PrizePicks branding across WSE's premium originals network and facilitating social media collaborations and live sponsorship events throughout the NFL and NBA seasons.
Strategic Initiatives
- Launch of The Collaborative: WSE's first Black Creator Program aiming to foster diversity and inclusion within its content creation.
Public Presence and Media Engagement
- LinkedIn Activity: Notable for frequent updates on company initiatives and achievements.
- Social Media: Active presence on platforms like Twitter (@brianverne) and Instagram (@brian_verne), engaging with audiences and showcasing company-related content and collaborations.
Notable Team Members at WSE
- Shari Summers: EVP, Operations
- Greg Wacks: SVP, Head of Marketing
- Geoffrey Reed: SVP, Revenue
- Clayton Ward: VP of Finance
- Nick Crooks: VP - Strategic Partnerships and Business Development
- Kangmin Cho: VP, Operations
- Seth Brody: Sr. Director, Business Development
Conclusion
Brian Verne serves as the Co-CEO of Wave Sports + Entertainment, spearheading one of the most dynamic digital sports media companies. With a robust background in leadership roles and an extensive educational background coupled with athletic experience, Verne continues to drive significant growth and innovation in the sports entertainment sector. The company’s strong digital footprint, strategic partnerships, and extensive original content offerings position WSE as an influential leader in sports storytelling and fan engagement.
