NFL's Wintergrass shares insight, experience
Rob Morgan
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Sports
David Wintergrass, NFL Senior Director of Events and Creator of NFL On Location, delivered a presentation to a group of about 50 students in the William H. Pitt Center Board Room on the campus of Sacred Heart University on April 22.
The hour-long presentation covered everything from marketing the NFL brand to the requirements of starting a new business.
Wintergrass is entering his 30th season with the NFL, having spent his first twelve seasons with the New England Patriots organization before making the jump to the league office in 1993.
"I've been very fortunate to be part of arguably the most popular sport in the United States," said Wintergrass. "It's not an easy business to get into, but once you're in, it's very rewarding."
Among Wintergrass' main responsibilities are putting together packages for fans and corporate groups to come to the NFL's major events including the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, Draft, and the International Series Game in London. Included in these packages are tickets, hotel accommodations, gift baskets, and parties.
"Everybody has going to some of these events on their bucket list," he said. "We do it all to make it simple one-stop shopping."
Some of the benefits for fans obtaining these packages directly from the NFL, according to Wintergrass, are the "unique access, authenticity, and peace of mind" which other broker companies can't offer.
One of the challenges that Wintergrass and his department are facing, is coping with the current global financial crisis.
"[The NFL] just like every other person and corporation in the United States has to adjust," said Wintergrass. "People are being wise about spending their dollars and we have to be creative about how to get those folks great value for what they spend."
According to Wintergrass, despite the poor economy, all of the packages were sold last year and there are already "many renewals" for this season.
In fact, the NFL Draft was held at Radio City Music Hall last Saturday and roughly 3,000 people were in attendance. "It's our biggest offseason event; it's the kick-off to our season," said Wintergrass of the draft. "Every team is 0-0 and they're ready to go. [The draftees] are the guys that are going to be the stars of the future."
The hour-long presentation covered everything from marketing the NFL brand to the requirements of starting a new business.
Wintergrass is entering his 30th season with the NFL, having spent his first twelve seasons with the New England Patriots organization before making the jump to the league office in 1993.
"I've been very fortunate to be part of arguably the most popular sport in the United States," said Wintergrass. "It's not an easy business to get into, but once you're in, it's very rewarding."
Among Wintergrass' main responsibilities are putting together packages for fans and corporate groups to come to the NFL's major events including the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, Draft, and the International Series Game in London. Included in these packages are tickets, hotel accommodations, gift baskets, and parties.
"Everybody has going to some of these events on their bucket list," he said. "We do it all to make it simple one-stop shopping."
Some of the benefits for fans obtaining these packages directly from the NFL, according to Wintergrass, are the "unique access, authenticity, and peace of mind" which other broker companies can't offer.
One of the challenges that Wintergrass and his department are facing, is coping with the current global financial crisis.
"[The NFL] just like every other person and corporation in the United States has to adjust," said Wintergrass. "People are being wise about spending their dollars and we have to be creative about how to get those folks great value for what they spend."
According to Wintergrass, despite the poor economy, all of the packages were sold last year and there are already "many renewals" for this season.
In fact, the NFL Draft was held at Radio City Music Hall last Saturday and roughly 3,000 people were in attendance. "It's our biggest offseason event; it's the kick-off to our season," said Wintergrass of the draft. "Every team is 0-0 and they're ready to go. [The draftees] are the guys that are going to be the stars of the future."
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