CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA -- Virginia Sports Properties announced today the hiring of David Jessey, a 25-year sales and marketing veteran, as its general manager. Beginning Nov. 2, Jessey will lead the day-to-day operations of Virginia Sports Properties, a division of CBS Collegiate Sports Properties and the multimedia rights partner of the University of Virginia athletics department.
Jessey comes to Virginia from Charlotte where he was vice president of sales and marketing for Evernham Motorsports, now Richard Petty Motorsports. During his tenure with the team, he helped double the size of the company and sold more than $180 million in total sponsorship, signing new sponsors such as Allstate, Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Verizon Wireless. Following the company's ownership change, Jessey started his own property representation firm, negotiating sponsorships for the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and forming new partnerships for several racing properties.
"We at Virginia are thrilled to have David Jessey leading the team at Virginia Sports Properties," said Virginia executive associate athletics director, Jon Oliver. "He has a proven track record in sales and marketing and strong experience in the corporate world. That combined with his work with teams at the collegiate and professional levels makes him an ideal fit here at Virginia, and I think he will serve the property well."
According to Doug Paschal, vice president and general manager of CBS Collegiate Sports Properties, Jessey's experience as vice president of sports marketing for Bank of America well positions him to serve the marketing and multimedia rights needs of the Virginia athletics department. From 1999 to 2003, Jessey worked on behalf of Bank of America with professional teams such as the Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Clippers, San Francisco Giants and Washington Redskins; colleges such as Duke University, the University of Maryland and the University of Washington; and collegiate conferences such as the Atlantic Coast Conference and the PAC 10, as well as the WTA Tour Championship. In 2003, Jessey was promoted to senior vice president of Olympic and sports marketing.
Prior to his position with Bank of America, Jessey was director of sales for Raycom Sports and led sales efforts for the U.S. Olympic Trials Men's Marathon and NFL Permanent Seat License programs for several professional football teams at Muhleman Marketing, a Charlotte agency that is now part of IMG. Jessey also spent time in the financial services industry and in real estate and management consulting.
"We've known David since his time with Bank of America, and we couldn't ask for a better fit at Virginia Sports Properties," said Paschal. "David can relate to every aspect of our business and will take our team in new directions that will greatly benefit Virginia athletics."
Jessey attended Virginia Commonwealth University and Mary Washington College, and his family lives in northern Virginia. His wife, Lori, who received her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, has family in Richmond.
"Serving the University of Virginia is a dream job for me, and I'm very excited to be part of the CBS collegiate team," said Jessey. "Virginia is one of the country's elite schools and I look forward to helping the Virginia athletics department reach its goals and to be a part of the Charlottesville community."
About Virginia Sports Properties:
Virginia Sports Properties is the exclusive marketing and multimedia rights partner of University of Virginia Athletics and manages all corporate sponsorship opportunities surrounding the Cavaliers, including on-premise signage, TV, radio, print, Internet, game sponsorships, premium hospitality, event marketing and promotions. Virginia Sports Properties is a division of CBS Collegiate Sports Properties, and its parent company is CBS Outdoor.