New collaboration will support student-athlete leadership development through the Eugene D. Smith Leadership Institute
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State Athletics announced on Monday a relationship with LEARFIELD Ticket Solutions. The new and unique concept is unlike any other in college athletics.
At the centerpiece is a dedicated, best-in-class outbound ticket sales team to be entrenched on the Columbus campus leveraging industry-leading expertise in sales, service, and business intelligence. Additionally, there will be a distinct component within the overall relationship designed to support the Eugene D. Smith Leadership Institute’s mission of preparing Ohio State student-athletes for life after sports. Notably, Ticket Solutions will host an annual sales academy for student-athletes, as well as offer summer internships and post-graduate job opportunities across LEARFIELD’s family of businesses.
“We are excited for this unique partnership with Ticket Solutions and looking forward to utilizing their expertise to continue to engage with our fan base,” said Shaun Richard, Ohio State executive associate athletic director. “This partnership will have a tremendous impact on all nine of our ticketed sports and it will have a particular focus on the Olympics sports. But the truly unique component of our relationship with Ticket Solutions will be the educational opportunities for our student-athletes. They will have a chance to not only learn from, but also work alongside, some of the best professionals in the marketing and ticket sales industry.”
“We’re thrilled to team with the Buckeyes and serve their incredible fanbase,” said LEARFIELD Ticket & Seat Solutions Executive Vice President Jake Bye. “It’s hard to ignore the energy and excitement for the upcoming season, and we look forward to working with the athletics administration to help capture that renewed in-person fan passion and engagement following 2020.
Bye added, “Our unique pairing allows us to play a part in delivering unmatched experiences for Buckeye fans, as well as for student-athletes through the collaboration planned with Gene’s Leadership Institute. To say that we are humbled and honored to embark upon this journey together would be an understatement.”
In addition to Ohio State, LEARFIELD Ticket & Seat Solutions currently represents over 40 partners nationally. Through its sophisticated technology, dynamic industry leadership, experience and first-class sales and service, Ticket Solutions works with universities and professional sports franchises to create engaged relationships with fans across the country that optimize revenue opportunities. In partnership with LEARFIELD’s Data and Analytics Team, Ticket Solutions recently formed a centralized Data AnalyTIX team designed to grow ticket, fundraising, and sponsorship revenue streams by providing partners with a cohesive data and analytics strategy. In addition to Ticket & Seat Solutions, LEARFIELD is the Buckeyes’ multimedia rightsholder, served locally through its Ohio State Sports Properties team.
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