In 2007, John Rizzardini assumed the position of Chief Operating Officer for the Seahawks and First & Goal Inc. In this role, his priorities are to continue to increase revenues in primary areas of corporate partnership, tickets, broadcast, suites, retail and promotions. He also oversees the day-to-day business operations for the team that include branding, game presentation, website and customer service.
Rizzardini has helped build and manage a Seahawks brand that was ranked the 18th strongtest out of 122 professional sports franchises according to a study by Sports Business Journal. Additionally, Rizzardini manages the day-to-day operation of Qwest Field and Qwest Field Event Center and the WaMu Theater. He originally joined the club's front office in August of 2003, as Vice President of Marketing and Customer Sales. In 2006, Rizzardini was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Rizzardini led a 2006 season ticket sales effort in which the club sold out for the first time since the early 1990's. With that, the Seahawks have now created Blue Pride, the team's season ticket waiting list which currently has more than 14,000 fans enrolled. During Rizzardini's lead, the team has also sold out 44 consecutive games at Qwest Field.
Before joining the Seahawks, he served three years as Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks and Orca Bay Sports & Entertainment. Prior to joining the Canucks, Rizzardini was Executive Vice President of the Los Angeles Arena Corporation, parent company of the Staples Center, the Los Angeles Kings, and the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. His professional career began with the Golden State Warriors where he served in a number of capacities from 1986 to 1995, including the last four as Vice President of Marketing and Ticket Sales.
He is a graduate of Cornell College and holds a Master's Degree in Sports Management from Western Illinois. Rizzardini serves on the Boards of the Seattle University Center for the Study of Sport and the Seattle Sports Commission and volunteers as a coach at the YMCA.
In 2007, John Rizzardini assumed the position of Chief Operating Officer for the Seahawks and First & Goal Inc. In this role, his priorities are to continue to increase revenues in primary areas of corporate partnership, tickets, broadcast, suites, retail and promotions. He also oversees the day-to-day business operations for the team that include branding, game presentation, website and customer service.
Rizzardini has helped build and manage a Seahawks brand that was ranked the 18th strongtest out of 122 professional sports franchises according to a study by Sports Business Journal. Additionally, Rizzardini manages the day-to-day operation of Qwest Field and Qwest Field Event Center and the WaMu Theater. He originally joined the club's front office in August of 2003, as Vice President of Marketing and Customer Sales. In 2006, Rizzardini was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Rizzardini led a 2006 season ticket sales effort in which the club sold out for the first time since the early 1990's. With that, the Seahawks have now created Blue Pride, the team's season ticket waiting list which currently has more than 14,000 fans enrolled. During Rizzardini's lead, the team has also sold out 44 consecutive games at Qwest Field.
Before joining the Seahawks, he served three years as Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks and Orca Bay Sports & Entertainment. Prior to joining the Canucks, Rizzardini was Executive Vice President of the Los Angeles Arena Corporation, parent company of the Staples Center, the Los Angeles Kings, and the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. His professional career began with the Golden State Warriors where he served in a number of capacities from 1986 to 1995, including the last four as Vice President of Marketing and Ticket Sales.
He is a graduate of Cornell College and holds a Master's Degree in Sports Management from Western Illinois. Rizzardini serves on the Boards of the Seattle University Center for the Study of Sport and the Seattle Sports Commission and volunteers as a coach at the YMCA.
