Michael Drake

Clemson Ventures  named Michael Drake as its first Chief Executive Officer in January 2025. Drake, a highly experienced executive with over 20 years in professional sports and entertainment, officially starts the role February 3. The Clemson Ventures Board selected him to lead this innovative entity, designed to revolutionize revenue strategies in college athletics.

Clemson Ventures operates as an affiliate of Clemson University Athletics, focusing on maximizing revenue through innovative business models. The organization’s structure mirrors a private-sector approach, integrating marketing expertise and NIL agency capabilities to advance competitive excellence in a rapidly changing college athletics environment.

Drake brings a proven track record from his roles with top-tier organizations such as the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys. In his most recent position as Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, Drake managed a $73 million annual budget and secured one of the NBA’s largest arena naming rights deals. He also spearheaded the launch of NBA 2K and G League teams, driving significant revenue growth.

Previously, Drake served as Senior Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer for AMB Sports and Entertainment Group, where he led ticketing and sponsorship operations for Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He was instrumental in introducing digital ticketing systems and generating new revenue streams. Additionally, his leadership at Legends contributed to the success of Levi’s Stadium, where he led efforts to secure over $1 billion in premium and ticket sales.

Drake’s extensive experience in forming strategic partnerships, designing innovative sales strategies, and enhancing fan experiences positions him to make a significant impact at Clemson Ventures. His leadership will be pivotal in achieving the organization’s ambitious goals and shaping the future of revenue generation in college athletics.