Posted on WorkInSports.com: 11/14/2007
By: Brandon McClung - SportsBusiness Journal
Career Spotlight: Greg Bibb
Bibb goes to Washington as Mystics’ COO
Greg Bibb was most recently president of Hantz Group Sports and Entertainment and its flagship property, the Major Indoor Soccer League’s Detroit Ignition. With the Mystics, Bibb will be in charge of the overall operation of the organization, both from the business and team perspective. He spoke to staff writer Brandon McClung.
Age: 34
New title: Chief Operating Officer, Washington Mystics
Previous title: President, Hantz Group Sports and Entertainment
First job: Factory worker at the Reese ’s Peanut Butter Cups factory
College education: Bachelor of science, communications, Marist College (1996)
Resides: Arlington, Va., with wife Tara and daughter Adelyn
Grew up: Hershey, Pa.
Brand most admired: Google
Favorite vacation spot: Siesta Key, Fla.
Last movie seen: “Ocean’s Thirteen”
Favorite movie: “Slap Shot”
Favorite musician: Kenny Chesney
What will be the biggest challenge in your new position?
Specific to the Mystics and the WNBA, it is getting people personally introduced to the product. … The second challenge is something we all face, and that is finding good people, providing them with the tools to be successful and then retaining them.
What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?
Probably this one. After 10 years in professional indoor soccer there becomes a lot of familiarity and life is easier when you have been in the same place for 10 years.
What is your biggest professional accomplishment?
My last stop in Detroit and launching the Ignition with a lot of help from a lot of great people. Starting in September 2005 as the first and only employee, and 18 months later playing in our league’s championship game in front of a sellout crowd on a national television broadcast.
What is your biggest professional disappointment?
Not being able to do more impactful things to help raise the profile of indoor soccer. I think it is such a wonderful sport with so many great people involved, and it has been such a struggle to get it accepted by the masses and individually.
What do you think about the growth potential of soccer in the U.S.?
I think soccer as a sport is at a tipping point. I think that MLS has done some unbelievable things in the last two or three years, and I think the MISL — although it is a very different sport, it is still soccer — is making significant strides. It has grown by three teams this year, and the quality of ownership in that league in the last 10 years has transformed dramatically.
This career spotlight is courtesy of the SportsBusiness Journal. CLICK HERE to visit their official website.
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