ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Dan Dial has been appointed general manager for UNC Asheville Sports Properties, as announced today by LEARFIELD, the university’s athletics multimedia rightsholder.
Dial brings significant industry experience to the UNC Asheville Sports Properties team. Most recently, he served as associate athletic director, external relations and revenue generation for Murray State University in Kentucky. Prior to that, he served as team president of the River City Rascals minor league baseball team for over seven years, as well as team president of the NBA G-League College Park Skyhawks. His early career also includes stops with the Texas Legends and Memphis Grizzlies as an account executive. Dial received his bachelor’s degree in sports management from Southeast Missouri State University.
As UNC Asheville Sports Properties’ general manager, Dial will serve as the primary LEARFIELD liaison related to UNC Asheville’s comprehensive multimedia rights agreement and corporate partner platform. He will work closely with Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone and the entire athletics administration in the management of the overall rights relationship.
“We are excited to add Dan Dial to our Bulldog family,” said Cone. “We are particularly excited that Dan comes to us with an extensive background and knowledge of college athletics from his time at Murray State University. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with LEARFIELD under Dan’s leadership.”
“We are thrilled to have Dan lead UNC Asheville Sports Properties,” said Joe Baldini, LEARFIELD senior vice president, multi-media rights. “He comes to Asheville with well-rounded and extensive experience, and we know he will represent the university and sponsors well and be an outstanding leader.”
LEARFIELD is a leading media, data and technology services company in intercollegiate athletics. The company unlocks the value of sports for brands and fans through an omnichannel platform with innovative content and commerce solutions. LEARFIELD services includes licensing and multimedia sponsorship management; publishing, audio, digital and social media; data analytics; ticketing, ticket sales and professional concessions expertise; branding; campus-wide business and sponsorship development; and venue technology systems. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.