Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company Names Shawn Smith Vice President of Marketing
Smith possesses more than 28 years’ experience in professional sports business, sales and marketing
CANTON, Ohio – January 18, 2022 – Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (“HOFV”) (NASDAQ: HOFV, HOFVW), the only resort, entertainment and media company centered around the power of professional football, today announced it has appointed experienced marketing professional Shawn Smith as Vice President of Marketing. Smith, who spent the last five years serving within the Boston Red Sox organization on business development projects and as its General Manager in Lowell, MA, will report to Erica Muhleman, Executive Vice President of New Business Development/Marketing & Sales.
A native of Charlotte, NC, Smith has over 28 years’ experience working in professional sports, 15 of which were spent within the Red Sox family. He possesses a strong familiarity of business operations and development, sales and marketing, and will be responsible for further elevating the HOFV brand amongst key stakeholders, including sponsors, fans and the community.
“We are thrilled to be adding such a tremendous talent in Shawn to our growing company,” said Muhleman. “Shawn’s track record of creating value for the organizations he has served is both extensive and impressive, and we are fortunate for him to be part of what we are building at HOFV. We look forward to the many contributions Shawn will make as a member of our team and working with him to strategically grow our brand across the U.S.”
Smith previously spent seven years as the Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer of the NBA Development League (now Gatorade League), the official minor league system of the NBA. His responsibilities included overseeing the day-to-day business operations of the League as well as collaborative ventures in all marketing tactics and partnerships, broadcast and digital programming/content, team business development, international efforts and league expansion initiatives. He also spearheaded the League’s digital strategy and significantly grew its digital impressions while deepening its relationships and programming options with national broadcast partners.
Smith also spent two years with the NBA as a Vice President within its Team Marketing and Business Operations division. Furthermore, he also served as team President and/or General Manager of minor league franchises affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros. During this period, he was deeply involved in the construction and management of five new ballparks while winning numerous national and local honors for business achievements.
“I am energized by joining HOFV, an organization that is building something truly special both inside and outside of Canton,” said Smith. “I am very excited about the company’s mission and the significant progress it has already made executing on its strategic objectives. I am confident that my unique skillset will help create tremendous value for all of our stakeholders.”
Shawn earned his Masters degree from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School and received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University. He was inducted into Syracuse University's Newhouse Professional Gallery in 2012 and the Providence Day (Charlotte, NC) High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
About Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company
Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: HOFV, HOFVW) is a resort and entertainment company leveraging the power and popularity of professional football and its legendary players in partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Headquartered in Canton, Ohio, the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company is the owner of the Hall of Fame Village powered by Johnson Controls, a multi-use sports, entertainment and media destination centered around the Pro Football Hall of Fame's campus. Additional information on the Company can be found at www.HOFREco.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made herein are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words and phrases such as “opportunity,” “future,” “will,” “goal,” and “look forward” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that may affect actual results or outcomes include the Company’s ability to manage growth; the Company’s ability to execute its business plan and meet its projections, including refinancing its existing term loan and obtaining financing to construct planned facilities; potential litigation involving the Company; changes in applicable laws or regulations; general economic and market conditions impacting demand for the Company’s products and services, and in particular economic and market conditions in the resort and entertainment industry; the potential adverse effects of the ongoing global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on capital markets, general economic conditions, unemployment and the Company’s liquidity, operations and personnel, the inability to maintain the listing of the Company’s shares on Nasdaq, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in our reports and other public filings with the SEC. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
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