Mar 10, 2016
NHL senior executive and outdoor game expert leaving league
Don Renzulli, the brains behind the NHL’s series of highly lucrative outdoor games, is quitting his senior vice-president position with the NHL, sources tell TSN
Don Renzulli, the brains behind the NHL’s series of highly lucrative outdoor games, is quitting his senior vice-president position with the NHL, two sources familiar with the matter told TSN.
Renzulli was hired by the NHL in 2007 and worked closely with John Collins, the NHL’s former chief operating officer, who quit his job last November after seven years with the league.
Collins is now the chief executive of On Location Experiences, which markets unique fan access to events such as the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl and the NFL draft. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has said he wants to double the NFL’s revenue to $27 billion (U.S.) in the next decade and the growth of the hospitality industry will play into that effort.
Renzulli's departure comes as the NHL announced it will host four outdoor games next season in Winnipeg, Toronto, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. It's unclear whether he will remain in the sports event planning business or if he will re-join Collins.
“His loss is definitely a blow to the NHL,” the source said. “He’s Mr. Outdoor Games. He’s got the knowledge of how to put these events together very well.”
Renzulli oversaw preparations for the New Year’s Day game between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins at Gillette Stadium, the 16th outdoor game he was responsible for organizing.
Before joining the NHL Renzulli worked with the Cleveland Browns and with the National Football League.