FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NFLI-1                3/27/01

 

JIM CONNELLY NAMED MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NFL EUROPE

- 16-Year NFL Veteran to Direct all NFL Business Activities in Europe -

Palm Desert, Calif. – JIM CONNELLY, a 16-year veteran of the NFL who spearheaded the league’s first international business operation from 1985-93, will return to the NFL as Managing Director of NFL Europe, NFL Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE announced today at the league’s annual meeting.

Connelly, who will be based in London, will be responsible for the management and development of all commercial partnerships (broadcast, consumer products and corporate sponsorship), the creation and execution of all fan and football development activities, building local government and community relations, and the day-to-day management of the NFL Europe League in coordination with the managing director of NFLEL football operations, JOHN BEAKE.

"When John Beake joined us as managing director of NFLEL football operations in November, I said that our plans were to complement John with an equally talented and experienced business executive," said Commissioner Tagliabue. "I cannot think of a person better suited for this position than Jim, whose experience and talents will have an immediate effect on our business in Europe."

Connelly joined NFL Properties in 1982 as a senior marketing director and was named director of international marketing in 1985. From 1993 until 1998, Connelly was senior vice president of consumer products for NFLP. Since 1998, he has been a sports marketing consultant and was co-founder and president of a sports and entertainment auction company.

"Long before there was a separate NFL International division, Jim Connelly was the face of the NFL in establishing new business initiatives around the world," said DOUG QUINN, senior vice president of NFL International. "He established our first commercial presence in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia and Europe, including the opening of our first international office in London in 1987. We are extremely pleased to welcome Jim back."

Connelly began his career as a brand manager at Colgate Palmolive in 1978 and moved on to become marketing director of Cunard Lines in 1981.

A native of New York City, he earned BS and BA degrees from Georgetown University and   received his MBA from William & Mary.