Doug Perlman

{{like resume|date=June 2022}}Douglas Perlman (born October 8, 1968) is the founder and CEO of Sports Media Advisors, a leading boutique advisory firm.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsmediaadvisors.com/ |title=Home |website=sportsmediaadvisors.com}} Since the firm's inception in 2009, Perlman has worked on all its client engagements including matters on behalf of NFL, MLB, NASCAR, USTA, UFC, Hockey Canada, Little League, EA, Twitter, [https://nextvr.com/ NextVR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214032656/https://www.nextvr.com/ |date=2020-02-14 }}, and several private equity firms.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsmediaadvisors.com/team|title = Team}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/03/04/Media/Perlman.aspx|title = Relationships, timing help Perlman build firm| date=4 March 2013 }} Among other things, Sports Media Advisors and Perlman help sports properties optimize multi-platform content distribution strategies (including negotiating their primary media rights deals), develop and execute growth strategies for sports-related businesses, and perform diligence and deal support for investors considering media, technology, and/or sports-related opportunities.

Before founding SMA at the age of 40, Perlman had already established himself as a well-regarded leader in the industry, serving in senior roles at the NHL and IMG.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2003/11/10/Forty-Under-40.aspx|title=Login|date=29 September 2023 }} Among other accolades, he had been named to the prestigious Sports Business Journal Forty Under 40 three times, earning a spot in their Hall of Fame.

Perlman began his career in 1995 as an attorney at Proskauer Rose, a global law firm with the nation's top sports practice.{{Cite press release|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20061206005902/en/Douglas-Perlman-Named-President-IMG-Media-North|title = News}} Shortly after joining the National Hockey League, a firm client, he recognized the promise of digital media and segued into a business role to establish the NHL's digital operations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sanyinsiang/2019/11/25/surviving-and-flourishing-in-a-competitive-environment-3-lessons-from-doug-perlman/#26f85fc15e7f|title = Surviving and Flourishing in a Competitive Environment: 3 Lessons from Doug Perlman|website = Forbes}} At 32, the Sports Business Journal wrote that Perlman found “himself with more responsibility than anyone else his age at a major league sport and perhaps in the entire sports world.”{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2001/02/19/No-Topic-Name/NHL-Shoots-Past-NBA-In-Midseason-Attendance.aspx|title = NHL shoots past NBA in midseason attendance| date=19 February 2001 }} He spent more than 10 years at the league, ultimately serving as Executive Vice President, Media and a member of Commissioner Gary Bettman’s senior management team. Following the NHL, Perlman was recruited by then-CEO Ted Forstmann to join IMG as the President of IMG Media, North America where he again oversaw all television and digital media businesses, reporting to Forstmann as a member of IMG's six-member global leadership team.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116555158403744443|title = Noted|newspaper = Wall Street Journal|date = 8 December 2006}}

Perlman has been recognized by multiple industry publications as a leader in the businesses of sports, media, and technology,"Forbes SportsMoney, Sinclair Media Deal - Video." Yesnetwork.com, 24 May 2019, web.yesnetwork.com/media/video.jsp?{{cite AV media| url-status = live| archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211208/QVjVYQw-CoM| archive-date = 2021-12-08| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVjVYQw-CoM&t=1s| title = Navigating the College Sports Media Future | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} including being named one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Sports by the Sporting News. Perlman regularly appears on television and is often a featured speaker at industry and other events. He is also frequently asked to speak to students on college and university campuses.{{Cite web|url=https://talkofthesound.com/2011/12/06/three-notable-entrepreneurs-from-world-of-sports-and-entertainment-to-speak-at-iona-college/|title = Three Notable Entrepreneurs from World of Sports and Entertainment to Speak at Iona College|date = 6 December 2011}}{{Cite web | title=Duke Event Calendar | url=http://calendar.duke.edu/show?fq=id%3ACAL-8a0870ef-533b9954-0153-430207f2-00000238demobedework%40mysite.edu | access-date=2025-03-23 | website=calendar.duke.edu}}

SMA has come to be widely regarded as a top advisory firm in the space.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2014/03/17/Events-and-Attractions/SBA-nominees.aspx|title=Sports Business Awards nominees|date=17 March 2014 }} The company has negotiated some of the sports industry's largest and most complex transactions, including more than $10 billion in total media rights fees.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2019/11/11/Media/Sports-media.aspx|title = As Sports Media Advisors turns 10, founder Doug Perlman reflects on key moments that solidified agency| date=11 November 2019 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2013/08/01/Fox-NASCAR.aspx|title=Fox Sports, NASCAR Finalize Rights Deal Through '24 Worth $3.8B|date=August 2013 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/05/20/Media/ESPN-US-Open.aspx|title = Doing it 'Wimbledon-style': ESPN, USTA reach 11-year, $825M deal for U.S. Open| date=20 May 2013 }}