2025 SEVT Award Recipients
SEVT Lifetime Achievement Award — Rick Welts, CEO, Dallas Mavericks
In his remarkable 47-year career in sports and entertainment, Welts has previously held roles as President and COO of the Golden State Warriors, President of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, and the NBA’s Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer and President of NBA Properties.
“Inspiring leadership has been a staple of the Dallas Mavericks since Cynt Marshall started leading the organization in 2018 as CEO. I’m extremely proud that her legacy of success and our family’s vision for the future of this franchise will soon be in the hands of another great leader,” said Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont. “Rick Welts is among the most successful executives in the history of the NBA and a member of the Hall of Fame. To have him join us as we continue to build on the successful history of the Mavericks is a clear signal that this organization is serious about both growing its position as an elite NBA team and further positioning the franchise among the most popular sports teams in the world.”
Welts began his NBA career as a ballboy with the SuperSonics in 1969 at the age of 16 and, a decade later, was a part of the franchise’s lone NBA championship in 1979 as its public relations director. During his 17 years with the NBA league office in New York, Welts’ notable accomplishments included the creation of NBA All-Star Weekend in 1984 and the marketing program for USA Basketball’s Olympic “Dream Team” in 1992. Along with Val Ackerman, he was named “Marketer of the Year” by Brandweek in 1998 for his role in launching the WNBA.
A native of Seattle, Washington, Welts owns the rare distinction of being part of championship teams in the NBA (4), WNBA (2) and the NBA G League (1), contributing to his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
SEVT Pioneer in Sport and Entertainment Management Award - Debbie Antonelli, Baskeball
Analyst, ESPN/CBS
Hall of Famer Debbie Antonelli is a longtime college basketball analyst for ESPN and ACC Network and a leading voice in the women’s game. With a nearly four-decade career as a player, marketing executive, and broadcaster, she covers both men’s and women’s basketball across major networks.
Throughout her 36-year career as a television and radio analyst, Antonelli has called women’s and men’s college basketball for ESPN, ACC Network, Longhorn Network and SEC Network, as well CBS Sports, Fox Sports, RAYCOM Sports, Big Ten Network, NBA TV and Westwood One. She has also served as a WNBA analyst since the league’s inception, including a combined 23 years with the Indiana Fever and Charlotte Sting, and she currently provides WNBA content to ESPN’s Daily Wager. In addition to annually calling NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament games for ESPN, Antonelli became the first woman in 21 years to call an NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament game when she worked first-round games in 2017, a role she has occupied ever since for CBS and Turner Sports.
A former standout at NC State, Antonelli was a three-year starter on an ACC championship team. She later built a pioneering career in sports marketing and broadcasting, including work with the WNBA since its inception.
Antonelli is a two-time Emmy Award winner and inductee into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. She is also a dedicated advocate for Special Olympics and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, and a passionate supporter of individuals with Down syndrome, inspired by her son Frankie.
SEVT award categories and history
Lifetime Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award
The Lifetime Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes an industry veteran for achievements of lasting impact over a number of years in the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. He or she embodies the professionalism, commitment to excellence, and business savvy that has propelled sport, entertainment, or venue management to become a key industry in the 21st century.
- 2024: James Phillips, Commissioner, ACC
- 2023: Ron Smith, Founding Principal, McMillian I Pazden I Smith Architecture
- 2023: Bryan Trubey, FAIA, Executive Vice President, Overland Partners Architecture and Urban Design
- 2022: Greg Sankey, Commissioner, Southeastern Conference (SEC)
- 2019: Linda Deckard, CEO/Publisher, Deckard & Associates
- 2018: Ben Sutton Jr., Founder and Managing Partner, Teall Capital
- 2017: Peter Luukko, Executive Chairman, The Florida Panthers Hockey Club and Co-Chairman, Arena Alliance, Oak View Group
- 2016: Frank Roach, Chief Everything Officer at Frank Advice and Principal with Pinnacle Venue Services
- 2014: Kenneth Feld, Chairman and CEO, FELD Entertainment, Inc
- 2013: Tim Leiweke, CEO, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
- 2012: Brad Mayne, CFE, President and CEO, MetLife Stadium (home to the NFL's New York Football Giants and New York Jets)
- 2011: Alex Hodges, Chief Executive Officer, Nederlander Concerts
- 2010: Mike McGee, CFE, former Executive Vice President, North American Business Operations, Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc.
- 2009: Tony Tavares, President & Chief Executive Officer, Sports Properties Acquisition Corporation / President & Chief Executive Officer, ProEminent Sports LLC
- 2008: Claire L. Rothman, retired, General Manager / President Great Western Forum (home to the NBA Los Angeles Lakers and NHL Los Angeles Kings)
- 2007: Jim Hunter, Vice President, Corporate Communications, NASCAR
- 2006: Wilson Howard, President, Southeast Region Live Nation
- 2005: Dr. Bernie Mullin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Atlanta Spirit, LLC
- 2004: Ed Snider, Chairman, Comcast-Spectacor
- 2003: Allen Becker, Founder, PACE Entertainment Group
- 2002: Roy Kramer, former Commissioner, Southeastern Conference
- 2001: Abe Pollin, Chairman, Washington Sports and Entertainment
Pioneer in Sport and Entertainment Award
The Pioneer in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes an individual for an innovative contribution in the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. This recipient has pioneered an idea, strategy, program, or product that has altered the way our industry does business and resulted in an achievement generally recognized for its long term significance.
- 2024: Emily Cole, Owner, Savannah Bananas
- 2023: Andrea Brimmer, Chief Marketing and Public Relations Office, Ally Financial
- 2022: Fred Whitfield, President and Vice Chairman, Charlotte Hornets
- 2021: Sheila Johnson, CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts and president of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics
- 2019: Tim Pernetti, Executive Vice President, Endeavor
- 2018: Abe Madkour, Executive Editor, SportsBusiness Journal
- 2018: Richard Weiss, Publisher, SportsBusiness Journal
- 2017: John Platillero, Founder and CEO, EventBooking
- 2016: Sonny Vaccaro, Sports Marketing Innovator and Athlete's Rights Advocate
- 2014: Jane Kleinberger, Founder, Paciolan
- 2013: Michael Cohl, President, IES Iconic Entertainment Studios
- 2012: Barbara Hubbard, Executive Director, American Collegiate Talent Showcase (ACTS)
- 2010: Liza Cartmell, Group President, ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment
- 2008: Humpy Wheeler, retired, President, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (the first racing company to go public on the NYSE) / retired, President, Lowe's Motor Speedway (33 years)
- 2007: Coach Willie Jeffries, retired, head college football coach South Carolina State University, Howard University, and Wichita State University
- 2006: Allen J. Bloom, former Executive Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Feld Entertainment, Inc.
- 2005: Leigh Steinberg, President and CEO, Leigh Steinberg Enterprises, Tollner, Moon, and Steinberg Sports Management
- 2004: Fred Rosen, Former President and CEO, Ticketmaster Group, Inc.
- 2003: Katherine Switzer, Women's Running Pioneer, First woman to compete in Boston Marathon (1967)
- Founder, Avon Running Global Women's Circuit
- 2002: Roy Kramer, former Commissioner, Southeastern Conference
- 2001: Hank Jones, President, Sports Design
International Executive in Sport and Entertainment Award
The International Executive in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes an individual who has greatly impacted the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. This recipient's passion for the industry and business acumen has forged partnerships and transcended borders, contributing to advancements recognized both nationally and internationally.
- 2014: Craig Lovett, Partner, Incognitus; Paul Lovett, Partner, Incognitus
- 2011: Guy Ngata, General Manager, Mercedes-Benz Arena (Shanghai, China)
- 2010: Aldo Giampaolo, Executive Producer, Cirque du Soleil (Montreal, Quebec)
- 2007: Harvey Lister, Chairman, and Rod Pilbeam, Executive Director, Ogden IFC (Queensland, Australia)
- 2006: Lawrence Chia, Chairman, PICO (Hong Kong)
- 2005: Alejandro Garza Díaz, Corporate Director of Planning and Promotion, CIE Entretenimiento (Mexico)
Academic Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award
The Academic Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes a scholar whose research and/or teaching has made a significant positive impact in the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. This recipient's analysis of trends and industry research has led to meaningful dialogue between academicians and industry professionals.
- 2019: Dr. Cheri Bradish, Director of the Future of Sport Lab, Chair of Marketing Management, Ryerson University
- 2018: Dr. Daniel Mahony, President, Winthrop University
- 2017: Dallas Branch, Associate Professor Emeritus, University of West Virginia
- 2016: Lisa Pike Masteralexis, Associate Dean for Administration & Associate Professor Sport Management. ISENBERG School of Management, UMASS Amherst
- 2013: Dr. Matthew Shank, President of Marymount University
- 2012: Dr. William A. "Bill" Sutton, Founder and Principal, Bill Sutton & Associates / Founding Director, Sport and Entertainment MBA Program, Department of Management and Organization, University of South Florida
- 2011: Dr. Packianathan Chelladurai, Professor, School of Physical Activity & Educational Services, The Ohio State University
- 2010: Dr. Annie Clement, Professor and Attorney, Sport Administration Program, University of New Mexico
- 2009: Dr. David K. Stotlar, Director, School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Northern Colorado
- 2007: Dr. Peter J. Graham, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, University of South Carolina
- 2006: Glenn M. Wong, Professor and Attorney, Department of Sport Management, Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts
- 2004: Dr. Charles Higgins, Associate Professor, Emeritus Sports Administration, Ohio University
- 2003: Dr. Herb Appenzeller, President, Appenzeller & Associates
- 2002: Dr. Guy M. Lewis, Chairman, Department of Sport Administration, University of South Carolina
Outstanding Corporate Partner in Sport and Entertainment Award
The Outstanding Corporate Partner in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes a company for its long-standing commitment and exceptional service to the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. Through its programs and business practices, this company has reached out to our patrons and improved their spectator experience. Our industry looks forward to a continued partnership with this award recipient.
- 2014: Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC)
Accepted by: Jay Purves, Vice President, CSC Nevada - 2010: AEG Facilities
Accepted by: Dale Adams, General Manager, Gila River Arena & Vice President Event Development AEG Facilities - 2009: Comcast-Spectacor
Accepted by: John Page, Chief Operating Officer, Global Spectrum - 2008: Ticketmaster
Accepted by: Mike McGee, Executive Vice President, North American Business Operations - 2007: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
Accepted by Kenneth Feld, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - 2006: The Coca-Cola Company
Accepted by Chuck Fruit, Senior Advisor, Marketing, Strategy & Innovation - 2005: Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated
Accepted by Laura Sawyer, Senior Vending Account Manager - 2004: Anheuser-Busch Companies, “Sound Attitudes and Good Sport”
Accepted by John Kaestner, Vice President of Consumer Affairs
Distinguished USC Alumni in Sport and Entertainment
The Distinguished USC Alumni Award recognizes a graduate of the University of South Carolina who has made a significant impact in the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. He or she embodies the professionalism, commitment to excellence, and business savvy that has propelled sport, entertainment, or venue management to become a key industry in the 21st century.
- 2022: Jessica O'Neill, President, Houston Dash & Houston Dynamo Football Club, COO
- 2018: Mike Boykin, CEO, Bespoke Sports & Entertainment / Rosalyn Durant, Vice President, College Networks, ESPN
Distinguished Service Award
- 2021: Nicole Tepper, Co-owner of Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC