Mark Piazza
Partner
Mark Piazza has extensive experience in sports management and operations spanning over four decades. His career includes roles with the Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and New York Knicks. Over the course of his career, he has overseen athlete-media relations for the 76ers and Flyers.
At MSG Sports, Mark served as SVP of Business Operations for the Rangers and later as SVP of Team Operations for the Rangers, Knicks, New York Liberty and Westchester Knicks – handling team logistics, budgets and facility management. He also oversaw team NHL and NBA events abroad, played a key role in the $2 Billion renovation of Madison Square Garden and $25 Million renovation of the teams practice facilities.
Since 2021, Mark has been the owner of MPSPORTS, LLC offering consulting services to various teams including the Brooklyn Nets and Liberty.
Mike Santos
Partner
Michael Santos has over 30 years of experience managing events, operations, and legal affairs in amateur and professional sports. He is currently Managing Member of Hockey Operations, LLC, an Associate with Douglas Elliman Sports and Entertainment, and teaches sports law and management at Clark University, Endicott College, and Georgetown University.
With a strong legal and business background, Michael excels in negotiating contracts, managing sports transactions, and reviewing legal documents. His career includes roles with the NHL, New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, and various hockey leagues.
A Boston College graduate, Michael also holds a Master’s from the United States Sports Academy and a Juris Doctorate from St. John’s University School of Law. He is a member of the New York State Bar, USA Hockey councils, and is licensed by the Florida Division of Real Estate.
Steve Violetta
Partner
Steve Violetta has been a C-Level Leader in the Sports & Entertainment industry for 38 years, driving business growth for some of the biggest brands in sports. He combines a strategic planning mindset with the sales acumen to maximize revenue, profit, brand growth and employee development. In his career Steve has negotiated five Facility Naming Rights agreements while developing multi-year strategic plans for five different organizations and their affiliated entities. He also has a long history of product, market and stakeholder innovation, including as a social & digital marketing pioneer.
Steve has built his personal brand on revenue generation and retention. He has set new records for sponsorship, ticket and/or premium seat sales for every franchise in every sport he has worked in: National Hockey League (Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers and Ottawa Senators). Major League Baseball (New York Yankees and San Diego Padres). Major League Rugby (Dallas Jackals). WNBA (Dallas Wings). Steve also has deep experience as a minor league hockey and baseball chief executive/owner.
Violetta graduated from Central Michigan University and is the author of the hockey tale “Skate or Die. The Last Voyage of the Icemen.”
