TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati Director of Athletics John Cunningham announced on Monday the hire of Ryan Holmes as the inaugural President of Cincy Sports Partners, the in-house sponsorship team for UC Athletics.
Holmes joins the Bearcats after 15 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. Most recently, he served as the NFL franchise's Director of Corporate Partnerships, where he generated hundreds of millions in sponsorship revenue. His department ranked first or second in new business revenue in the NFL in 2022 and 2023.
In 2022, he closed the landmark Paycor Stadium naming rights deal and led Ohio's largest sports betting partnership. Overall, he has worked with prominent partners nationally and locally, including Procter & Gamble, Kroger, Western & Southern, and Cintas.
"I am thrilled to join the University of Cincinnati Athletics Department," Holmes said. "The opportunity to contribute to Bearcats Athletics, expand its partnerships and drive revenue for student-athletes is incredibly exciting. My family and I are eager to continue being part of the Cincinnati community. I look forward to helping UC compete at the highest levels across the region and in the Big 12, with a focus on elevating Bearcats Athletics into the next frontier of college sports."
Holmes is an Oxford, Ohio native and today resides in Anderson Township with his wife, Maria, and their two sons, Frankie and Harry. He holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Wittenberg and dual master's degrees in business administration and sports administration from Ohio University.
Holmes was a three-year starter at quarterback and two-time team captain at Wittenberg. He has served as a youth sports coach and as an adjunct professor at the Lindner College of Business.
"We are thrilled to welcome Ryan Holmes as our President of Cincy Sports Partners," Cunningham said. "His proven track record in sponsorship sales and corporate partnerships, combined with his deep connections in the Cincinnati market through his successful tenure with the Bengals, makes him an outstanding addition to our leadership team."
Beginning July 1, Cincinnati Athletics will bring multimedia rights representation (MMR) in-house. Cincy Sports Partners will serve as the Bearcats' corporate sales and sponsorships department, finalizing partnerships in areas including student-athlete NIL, unique fan experiences, radio broadcasts, local and national commercials, arena and stadium signage, digital marketing and storytelling, and more.
Cincy Sports Partners will report through the Cincinnati Athletics' external relations team and report to Deputy AD Anthony Di Fino.
Multiple sales and partner management roles remain open. Applicants can view these openings here: https://jobs.uc.edu/go/Athletics/7911800/.
About Cincinnati Athletics:
The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 450 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 118 conference titles. The Cincinnati men's basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs all-time, while the football team became the first non-Power Five program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax are among the several luminaries who have competed as Bearcats.
In 2023, the Bearcats entered a new era as a Power Four School when they officially joined the Big 12 Conference, positioning Cincinnati among the nation's premier athletics programs.
Off the field, UC student-athletes continue to find success, as well, collectively posting a 3.48 GPA in the fall of 2024 with 83 percent earning spots on the Honor Roll.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics John Cunningham, and supported by more than 150 full-time staff members, UC Athletics' mission is to connect our community, enhance our university and impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field.
For more information visit gobearcats.com.
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Holmes joins the Bearcats after 15 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. Most recently, he served as the NFL franchise's Director of Corporate Partnerships, where he generated hundreds of millions in sponsorship revenue. His department ranked first or second in new business revenue in the NFL in 2022 and 2023.
In 2022, he closed the landmark Paycor Stadium naming rights deal and led Ohio's largest sports betting partnership. Overall, he has worked with prominent partners nationally and locally, including Procter & Gamble, Kroger, Western & Southern, and Cintas.
"I am thrilled to join the University of Cincinnati Athletics Department," Holmes said. "The opportunity to contribute to Bearcats Athletics, expand its partnerships and drive revenue for student-athletes is incredibly exciting. My family and I are eager to continue being part of the Cincinnati community. I look forward to helping UC compete at the highest levels across the region and in the Big 12, with a focus on elevating Bearcats Athletics into the next frontier of college sports."
Holmes is an Oxford, Ohio native and today resides in Anderson Township with his wife, Maria, and their two sons, Frankie and Harry. He holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Wittenberg and dual master's degrees in business administration and sports administration from Ohio University.
Holmes was a three-year starter at quarterback and two-time team captain at Wittenberg. He has served as a youth sports coach and as an adjunct professor at the Lindner College of Business.
"We are thrilled to welcome Ryan Holmes as our President of Cincy Sports Partners," Cunningham said. "His proven track record in sponsorship sales and corporate partnerships, combined with his deep connections in the Cincinnati market through his successful tenure with the Bengals, makes him an outstanding addition to our leadership team."
Beginning July 1, Cincinnati Athletics will bring multimedia rights representation (MMR) in-house. Cincy Sports Partners will serve as the Bearcats' corporate sales and sponsorships department, finalizing partnerships in areas including student-athlete NIL, unique fan experiences, radio broadcasts, local and national commercials, arena and stadium signage, digital marketing and storytelling, and more.
Cincy Sports Partners will report through the Cincinnati Athletics' external relations team and report to Deputy AD Anthony Di Fino.
Multiple sales and partner management roles remain open. Applicants can view these openings here: https://jobs.uc.edu/go/Athletics/7911800/.
About Cincinnati Athletics:
The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 450 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 118 conference titles. The Cincinnati men's basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs all-time, while the football team became the first non-Power Five program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax are among the several luminaries who have competed as Bearcats.
In 2023, the Bearcats entered a new era as a Power Four School when they officially joined the Big 12 Conference, positioning Cincinnati among the nation's premier athletics programs.
Off the field, UC student-athletes continue to find success, as well, collectively posting a 3.48 GPA in the fall of 2024 with 83 percent earning spots on the Honor Roll.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics John Cunningham, and supported by more than 150 full-time staff members, UC Athletics' mission is to connect our community, enhance our university and impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field.
For more information visit gobearcats.com.
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