Christopher Halpin, the NFL's chief strategy and growth officer, is set to leave his post. IAC, a conglomerate of largely digital media brands, named Halpin its chief financial officer on Wednesday. Halpin will take his new position on Jan. 26.
Halpin first joined the NFL — leaving the private equity world — in 2013 as a VP of media strategy and business development, later moving into licensing and consumer products. In his most recent role, he oversaw the league's international and gambling efforts and has been reported to be a frontrunner to succeed Roger Goodell as commissioner.
The league has embraced gambling since the Supreme Court's decision to allow states to legalize college and professional sports betting in 2018. Ahead of the 2021 season, research from the American Gaming Association estimated a record 45.2 million Americans planned to wager on the NFL, a 36 percent increase from the prior season. The NFL also expected to generate about $270 million in sports betting revenue this year, per The Washington Post.
As for international efforts, in addition to recently launched grassroots efforts to grow football participation overseas, the league announced plans in October to expand into playing games in Germany after playing over 30 games in London and Mexico City as part of its international series that began in 2007. Beginning this year, there will be at least four games played internationally every season.
IAC owns a number of internet brands, including Care.com and Angi, as well as media holdings including Better Homes and Gardens, Food & Wine and People.
(Photo: Martin Leitch / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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What has Halpin's impact been on the league?
Daniel Kaplan, sports business reporter: Halpin spent 13 years in the private equity world before the Princeton graduate joined the NFL in 2013. Initially a vice president in charge of media strategy, then he added senior to his VP title to oversee apparel. But the Ivy Leaguer clearly made an impression because in 2018 he was promoted again to chief strategy officer, where he crafted the league’s ultimate embrace of gambling.
And more recently, he was the architect of allowing teams to market overseas, a new policy that went live Saturday. Some even considered him a dark horse candidate to replace commissioner Roger Goodell, though that door appears closed with him leaving the league.
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Who's in line to step up
Kaplan: The NFL does not plan to replace Halpin, but instead spread his duties around to other top executives. International now falls in the lap of Peter O’Reilly, who also runs events. Strategy goes to league chief financial officer Joe Siclare. Renie Anderson, the NFL’s chief revenue officer, will now also oversee sports betting. And data analytics goes to Dasha Smith, the NFL’s chief administrative officer.
Halpin’s team also remains, including in international Damani Leech, Brett Gosper and Sameer Pabari.
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