Since 2004, Stephen has served as a top-rated Adjunct Professor at NYU’s
Stern School of Business, where he teaches sports media, marketing and
analytics. He is also the co-founder of Amaze Media Labs, launched in
2020, which has become one of the largest producers of branded podcast
content. Amaze works with more than 80 leading brands, including
BetMGM, DraftKings, Unilever, Ford, and Visa.
Through his own advisory firm, Stephen currently works with top venture
capital firms and early-stage startups across sports, media, and gaming—
providing hands-on support in strategy, business development, fundraising,
and business planning.
Previously, Stephen spent a decade as Global Head of Sports Media at
Nielsen, where he built the division into a $100M+ business and launched
FANALYTICS, an innovative platform providing sports leagues and brands
with deep insights into fan behavior and engagement.
Earlier in his career, he served as VP of Business Development at the
NFL, managing a team focused on securing new corporate partners. Prior
to that, he held leadership roles at top agencies including Octagon, where
he led marketing solutions and new business development, and began his
career at the NBA, helping grow the league’s global brand as a Director in
the International Group.
A recognized thought leader in media analytics and sports betting, Stephen
is frequently quoted in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal,
Washington Post, and Sports Business Journal, and has appeared as an
expert on ESPN, CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg, and Reuters. He is also a regular
speaker at major industry conferences.
Stephen holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at
Northwestern University and a BBA from the University of Michigan,
where he has served on the Advisory Board for the Sports Management
Program since 2011.
