Takeaways – Life. Lessons. Learned.
Marc Badain
Marc Badain is currently the President of the Athletics of Major League Baseball and a central figure in Las Vegas’s emergence as a global sports mecca. Described as the “guy on the ground,” he has served as a vital bridge between franchise owners and the local community. Mr. Badain was instrumental in relocating the Raiders to Las Vegas and overseeing the construction of Allegiant Stadium, transforming the city’s skyline and economic diversity forever.
From Coffee Runs to the C-Suite
Marc’s journey began in 1991 as a summer intern for the Raiders, where he worked 18-hour days doing everything from driving players to getting Mr. D lunch. He leveraged a family connection—his grandfather was a friend of Al Davis—but earned his stay through sheer “availability”. By the mid-90s, he transitioned into the finance department, eventually learning the complexities of the new NFL salary cap to become the team’s Chief Financial Officer.
Building Temples and Moving Mountains
In 2013, Marc became President of the Raiders, a role that thrust him into a decade-long “master class” in stadium development. After failed attempts to secure a venue in Oakland and Los Angeles, he with his team, successfully orchestrated the monumental move to Las Vegas. Despite the immense pressures of billion-dollar financing and the unforeseen chaos of a global pandemic months before opening, Allegiant Stadium was successfully delivered to the desert.
The Encore: Nine Innings in the Desert
Today, Marc is “doing it twice” by leading the Athletics’ into a new ballpark project in Las Vegas. His current focus involves building a business organization, generating revenue through sponsorships, and ensuring the new stadium offers “unreasonable hospitality”. Now a seasoned local, he continues to navigate the unique, collaborative spirit of the Las Vegas business community to secure the city’s next major sporting milestone.
Takeaways From This Episode
- Success in the sports business, and in life, requires being present and available.
- Authentic relationships are the foundation of doing business locally.
- Transformational projects require extreme accountability and very thick skin.
Watch the entire Podcast episode for the full discussion with Marc Badain as we delve deeply into their experiences and perspectives. Thank you for listening! Please subscribe to “Takeaways,” rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts.
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