Kroenke Sports & Entertainment Announces Changes to Senior Managment Structure
OutdoorHub 10.01.13
Matt Hutchings Named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Stephen Stieneker Promoted to Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) announced Monday the appointment of Matt Hutchings to the newly created position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and the promotion of Senior Vice President and General Counsel Stephen Stieneker to Executive Vice President and General Counsel.
Mr. Hutchings returns to KSE after spending two years as President and General Manager of Comcast SportsNet (CSN) Houston, a regional sports network, where he directed the build of the network from scratch. CSN Houston serves a five-state region and is the home network of three of Houston’s professional sports teams: the Astros (MLB), Rockets (NBA) and Dynamo (MLS). Mr. Hutchings oversaw a staff of 125 full-time employees and the construction of a 32,000 sq. ft. broadcast facility in downtown Houston. Mr. Hutchings also has considerable career management and operational experience in a number of sports businesses.
Just prior to launching CSN Houston, Mr. Hutchings spent eight years with KSE in several senior executive roles, including President and CEO of Altitude Sports & Entertainment, a network he helped launch in 2004. In his new role, management of KSE TV operations, including Altitude, Outdoor Channel and KSE’s interest in WFN: World Fishing Network, KSE venue operations, Soccer and Lacrosse operations and merchandise operations will report to Mr. Hutchings.
“Leaving my hometown and an incredible network I believe in was a difficult decision, but the opportunity to rejoin Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and to work with Stan and Josh Kroenke and Jim Martin was one I couldn’t turn down,” said Hutchings, who begins his new role effective immediately. “KSE is such an important part of the Rocky Mountain area, and I’m excited to help build on its solid foundation and highly regarded reputation.”
Said KSE President and CEO Jim Martin: “Matt is a well-respected and accomplished business and sports executive, and his return comes at an exciting period of growth throughout KSE. We have a strong executive team in place and Matt will enhance it even further. He already has great respect throughout the company and strong roots in the community and will be instrumental in helping us achieve our continuing goal of improving the experience of our fans and patrons, television viewers, and corporate and civic partners.”
Mr. Hutchings is a graduate of Texas A&M. He has been active in numerous civic causes and has served on several boards, including the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.
Mr. Stieneker joined KSE in November 2005. During his time with the company, he has managed legal affairs of KSE and its family of sports teams while also working closely with several other Kroenke-owned businesses. Mr. Stieneker played a crucial role in KSE bringing the 2008 Democratic National Convention to Denver and Pepsi Center, the opening of 1STBANK Center, acquiring Outdoor Channel and KSE’s interest in WFN, and brokering the deal for the Pepsi Center’s new state-of-the-art center hung scoreboard. In his expanded role, he will also oversee KSE’s Human Resources and Risk Management departments.
“Stephen has done an outstanding job managing KSE’s legal department,” said Martin. “His keen grasp of the intersection of legal and business issues has made him a key contributor to our executive team. This promotion and increase in responsibility are a direct result of our high confidence in his skills and judgment.”
Mr. Stieneker holds a BS in Economics from Virginia Tech and a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Denver Zoo Board of Trustees.
About Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
Denver-based Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) is one of the world’s leading ownership, entertainment and management groups. As owners and operators of Pepsi Center, the Paramount Theatre, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Mammoth (NLL) and Colorado Rapids (MLS), KSE’s sports and entertainment assets are second to none. Additional properties under the KSE umbrella are television properties, including Altitude Sports & Entertainment, Outdoor Channel and an interest in WFN: World Fishing Network, plus Altitude Authentics, the company’s official retail provider, and TicketHorse, the official ticketing provider for KSE teams and venues.
