The ECHL minor professional hockey league has announced a strategic partnership with Sports Business Advisors (SBA) to drive revenue generation, enhance branding, and expand league awareness. Founded in 2024 by three veteran sports industry executives—Mark Piazza, Mike Santos, and Steve Violetta—SBA brings over a century of combined experience in revenue growth, operations, marketing, and facility management.
As the official sales agency for the ECHL, SBA will support the league’s premier events including the All-Star Game and Kelly Cup Playoffs, while also offering services to individual ECHL teams. The partnership positions SBA to help grow the 29-team league, which spans 22 states and one Canadian province and maintains affiliations with 29 of 32 NHL teams.
This collaboration represents a significant opportunity for sports business professionals to see how specialized consulting can drive growth in minor league hockey operations and sponsorship development.
