Brooklyn Nets owner BSE Global has announced several executive hiring including Adina Erwin as General Manager of Barclays Center, after most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Business Operations at TD Garden Arena in Boston.

“We are thrilled to welcome five top executives into our business operations,” BSE Global CEO John Abbamondi said in a statement. “The executives are accomplished leaders in their respective fields, and their incredibly deep expertise will be instrumental as we prepare for an NBA season like no other. I am extremely excited and look forward to working with them to take our fan experience to the next level.”

Prior to TD Garden, Erwin spent 15 years at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta where she held various roles including Vice President and General Manager, and ultimately, Chief Operating Officer.

Erwin has also held various management roles at TIAA Bank Field, American Airlines Center, Vystar Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts. She has received numerous accolades including VenuesNow’s Women of Influence Award, the Women Who Mean Business Award by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, and the Ray Ward Award for extraordinary contributions to IAVM’s Venue Management School, as well as serving as the chair of the Board of Trustees for the IAVM Foundation.

In other BSE announcements, Emerson Moore was named Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer; Peter Stern as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer; and Jackie Wilson, II as Executive Director of Diversity & Inclusion. Chris Giacalone was named Vice President of Hospitality at Barclays as well, announced in collaboration with venue operator partner ASM Global.

“Adina is one of the most respected venue operators in the sports and entertainment industry and we are thrilled to have her as part of the ASM family” said Bob Newman, Chairman, ASM Global. “She’s a talented leader and we are very fortunate to be able to leverage her wealth of expertise as we plan for a new NBA season at Barclays Center and look forward to a robust entertainment season sometime soon.”

By Lisa Niess

ASM Global announced that John Drum has been named as U.S. Bank Stadium’s general manager. Drum was selected for the role after serving three years as the stadium’s assistant general manager of operations and most recently as the interim general manager. He brings over 24 years of experience in sports and entertainment to the executive leadership role.

“I am humbled and honored to lead the incredible staff at U.S. Bank Stadium, one of the world’s greatest sports venues,” Drum said. “To my family, mentors and peers that have prepared me for this opportunity, thank you for your guidance, wisdom and support over the many years. These are challenging times for all in the sports and entertainment industry, but we know brighter days are ahead. I look forward to reopening the gates in due time to create more memorable experiences for everyone at U.S. Bank Stadium.”

Drum joined ASM Global in June 2017 as an integral member of the U.S. Bank Stadium executive team. Prior to serving as interim general manager, Drum oversaw stadium operations including event services, facility management, security, IT, tours, and ASM Global’s in-house cleaning services and guest experience departments.

“Throughout John Drum’s tenure, the stadium has excelled in the international spotlight for outstanding efforts in daily operations and world-class events,” said Michael Vekich, Chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority. “On behalf of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, we look forward to John’s leadership and the stadium’s continued excellence in performance.”

Drum has been a part of hosting four seasons of Minnesota Vikings football, Super Bowl LII, the 2019 NCAA Men’s Final Four and three years of ESPN’s X Games at U.S. Bank Stadium. During this time, U.S. Bank Stadium welcomed over four million guests at nearly 700 events, was honored with IAVM’s Venue Excellence Award and became the first professional sports stadium to achieve LEED Platinum for Operations and Maintenance.

“We are fortunate to have someone of John’s caliber and experience to lead our team at U.S. Bank Stadium. John has a proven track record and has demonstrated strong leadership skills in his time as interim general manager,” said Leonard Bonacci, Regional Vice President of Stadiums and Arenas for ASM Global. “I look forward to working with John and the rest of the ASM Global team to once again create the amazing experiences that Minnesotans have come to know and expect.”

Prior to moving to Minnesota, Drum served twelve years with the Arizona Cardinals, most recently as their vice president of stadium operations for University of Phoenix Stadium (now known as State Farm Stadium). During his tenure, they hosted two Super Bowls (XLII & XLIX), the 2015 Pro Bowl, the 2009 NCAA Men’s Final Four, and two BCS National Championship Games (2007 & 2011). Drum was an integral member of the Cardinals organization for the opening of University of Phoenix Stadium in 2006.

“The Minnesota Vikings congratulate John on this well-deserved promotion and look forward to our continued work together,” said Vikings Chief Operating Officer Andrew Miller. “ASM Global has been an exceptional partner of the Vikings, in large part because of John’s commitment over the last several years to make U.S. Bank Stadium one of the greatest sports venues in the world. John’s leadership during the COVID pandemic has been critical in helping us safely host home games with the health of players, coaches and game day staff as the top priority.”

Lisa Niess, Director of Marketing and Communications for U.S. Bank Stadium.

The San Francisco 49ers have reached an agreement with the NFL to play two upcoming home games at the Arizona Cardinals’ State Farm Stadium after new COVID-19 directives implemented by local health authorities ruled out events at Levi’s Stadium.

The 49ers’ games against the Buffalo Bills on December 7 and Washington Football Team on December 13 will both be held at State Farm Stadium after a deal was struck with the NFL and the Cardinals.

In a statement, the 49ers said that the Cardinals, State Farm Stadium and NFL officials had been supportive and accommodating as the team worked through the “many logistical issues” involved in relocating games.

The 49ers had been seeking a base for its upcoming home games after new rules imposed by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department placed a temporary ban on recreational activities that “involve physical contact or close proximity to persons outside one’s household, including all contact sports.”

The directives, which were introduced following a spike in COVID-19 cases in the region, began November 30 and will be in place until at least December 21. The 49ers are also due to host the Seattle Seahawks on January 3, with a decision on the location for this game to be made later.

The 49ers have been without their fans at Levi’s Stadium this season and in October the team decided to continue this policy despite the State of California permitting spectators in outdoor venues for professional sporting events in counties with low COVID-19 infection rates.

The 49ers will play three games at State Farm Stadium this month, with its away game against the Cardinals scheduled for December 26.

Sarah Kraynik is currently the Director of Marketing at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee Florida. Previously, she was the Marketing Manager at the XL Center in Hartford Connecticut.  Sarah graduated from Temple University in 2014 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Sport and Recreation Management and then with her Master’s Degree in Communications Management in 2016.  sHer favorite part of her job is being able to express her creativity while creating lasting memories for fans of all ages! 

Join your Foundation in congratulating Sarah on being honored as one of the 30|UNDER|30 Class of 2020 and don’t forget to come back each Thursday as we spotlight another honoree!