Steve Patterson, ”Four Decades across US Major Sports”

Steve Patterson, a fellow YPOer and top US Sports Executive turned Entrepreneur with an incredible four decades of experience in the business, who learned the ropes working for his dad at the age of 10. Incredible stories and insights across the US sporting landscape from NBA, NFL, NHL to major Universities and working with several US billionaire owners over the decades.  Tons of great facts and figures of record breaking deals and no end in sight for him.   Key Highlights How it all started, through his dad, co-founder of Milwaukee Bucks, him answering the phone at 10 years old Background of his dad (Ray Patterson), All American Player, turned Coach and early investor in Bucks when they went public in 1968/69 His dad drafting Kareem Abdul Jabbar and winning the Championship in 1971 Moving to Houston and first major role with Houston Rockets as Director of Business Operations His Houston Rocket Days, breaking attendance records, doubling TV revenue, first NBA game in Mexico City, first Spanish Language TV show, great stories around them Building a Championship team, including Hakeem Olajuwon, creating the team that won the NBA title in 1993-94 – how it started and the role of Def Leppard …. Difference between a General Manager and the Coach – long term vs short term view Next stop, President & Partner in Houston Aeros (Ice) Hockey Team in the IHL and Compaq Center deal Helping to bring Houston Texans (NFL) to Houston in early 2000 – Chuck Watson and Bobby McNair https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_McNair  (later Senior VP & Chief Development Officer) Massive numbers across the deal, including purchase price (US$ 750 million), deal terms revealed Building a stadium, hiring staff and team from scratch Over US$ 450 million of Contractual Obligated Income (COI) generated to create first investment grade sports franchise Learn about the Texas “Superbowl Bill” and its legacy to help bring major events to the state ever since From NFL to NBA – Paul Allen, owner of Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trail Blazers – taking role as President/GM for Trail Blazers Comparing numbers between Rockets and Trail Blazers 20 years later, difference in media landscape, building set up, etc Team lost US$ 135mil the year he arrived, turned it around over four years -  US$ 52 mil in “luxury tax” due on first day on the job Starting Pro Sports Consulting in 2007, providing services to companies, US governments, universities and individuals to seek, acquire, sell major/minor league sports properties, from design, finance, building to maximizing revenues Roles at Arizona State University – VP of Athletics and later Men’s Athletic Director at University of Texas, Austin Differences between Pro Sports and College Sports in the US – different stake holders UT has US$ 180 million budget, largest athletic budget in the country and how it’s spend NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) discussion and Steve’s interesting perspective Arizona Coyotes, NHL team, successfully positioned team for sale Most recent venture, Legend Labs – branding and crisis consulting firm, representing athletes to Universities, and other entities – Co-Chairman & Partner   Pro Sports Consulting – working on Charlotte Hornets, new Stadium project  & Executive Coaching role   About Steve Patterson has served as an innovative and successful executive in the NFL, NBA, NHL, professional baseball, and college athletics for over 35 years. He has built championship teams and organizations, designed, financed, built, and run stadia, ballparks, and arenas with record setting revenues all over the United States. Patterson successfully led the effort to bring the Houston Texans NFL team and Super Bowl XXXVIII to Houston, Texas. As General Manager of the Houston Rockets, he built the 1994 NBA Championship team. Patterson is currently the President of Pro Sports Consulting, which provides services to universities, companies, government entities, and individuals that operate or seek to acquire or sell