Rutgers hires Ohio State Sports Properties GM Todd Knisley
Rutgers Athletic Director Keli Zinn has made her first big-time hire from the power conference ranks.
The Scarlet Knights will hire Todd Knisley, Vice President & General Manager of Learfield’s Ohio State Sports Properties, as the department’s new Chief Revenue Officer. With the Buckeyes, Knisley was in charge of a unique revenue-share model and multimedia contract with Learfield. His official title will be Executive Deputy Athletics Director, Chief Operating and Revenue Officer, according to a release Tuesday morning.
The 41-year-old worked at West Virginia with Zinn from 2013 to 2020.
“Todd has a proven track record driving revenue and leading high-performing teams,” Zinn said in the release. “His addition to the Rutgers Athletics staff is critical to our success moving forward. He knows what it takes for athletic departments to thrive and compete at the highest levels. I’m thrilled to welcome Todd, his wife, Kelsey, and their children, Brooks, Chase, and Caroline, to the Rutgers family.”
“This is an exciting time to join Rutgers Athletics as the department continues to build momentum and move forward under strong leadership,” Knisley added. “Working alongside Keli once again and helping bring her vision of success to life is a tremendous opportunity. I’ve always been passionate about building relationships that drive sustainable growth and leave a lasting impact on both the student-athlete and fan experience.
“As we navigate the increasingly complex collegiate athletics landscape, particularly with the ongoing evolution of name, image, and likeness – collaboration, innovation, and a strong work ethic will be essential. Together, we have an incredible opportunity to build something truly special, and I’m eager to get started.”
Knisley’s background
Knisley earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sports Management with the Mountaineers, completing his master’s in 2007.
He got his professional start working with the Minnesota Vikings in their marketing and partnerships department.
After a season in the NFL, Knisley then went to Oklahoma after one year in Minnesota, joining the athletic department in Norman as the Assistant Athletic Director of Athletics Marketing and Promotions. Knisley worked in that role for two years before making the move to Learfield.
Knisley has worked with Learfield for the past 15 years, moving up the ladder and working alongside several athletic departments, including three Power Four schools.
In 2010, Knisley became the Account Executive for TCU Sports Properties in Fort Worth. He stayed in that role for a little over two years. In 2013, he went back to the Mountain State as the Senior Account Executive for Marshall Sports Properties. He worked with the Thundering Herd for a year before returning to his alma mater.
With West Virginia, Knisley served multiple roles, in addition to still working with Learfield. In 2013, he joined as the Associate General Manager of Mountaineer Sports Properties. After two years, he took over as the General Manager, working in that role for five years.
Starting in 2016, he also became an adjunct professor with the Mountaineers, teaching a graduate-level sports sponsorship and sales management class.
In 2020, Knisley made the move to Columbus, joining the Buckeyes in his current role with Learfield and the Ohio State Sports Properties. During his tenure, Ohio State’s department has been one of Learfield’s top revenue earners, consistently generating over $30 million.
He was named to Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 list in 2023.
What does he bring to Rutgers?
With his addition, Knisley brings several attributes attractive to the Scarlet Knights’ new-look athletic department.
His experience at Ohio State, working with one of the top departments in the country in terms of athletic and financial success, can help his transition to Rutgers, as a department in flux. With the Buckeyes, Knisley helped form the revenue-sharing and multimedia rights deals, while also forming a team of 23 people.
Knisley’s experience across the country in Power Four athletic departments – particularly successful ones financially, such as Ohio State, TCU, and Oklahoma – each gives perspective in his experience that may not be as crucial in the modern day, with how the landscape has changed, but does help color in his background and knowledge in the present day.
His experience with Zinn also helps, as it continues the alignment – arguably the most-used word publicly from Zinn and new president William Tate – in the athletic department.
As Zinn begins to fill out her staff, bringing in an experienced face that has brought in revenue at a high-level is a crucial place to start.
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