News & Events
|
Press Release
March 17, 2010 - Washington, DC
David Falk Teams with XCO SportsLink To Launch Smartphone Initiative
David Falk, founder of Falk Associates Management Enterprises (FAME), and Danielle Cantor, Vice President of FAME, have formed a strategic partnership with XCO Sportslink LLC (www.xcosportslink.com), to market smartphone solutions to the sports industry. In this role, FAME will help XCO SportsLInk formulate strategy, identify markets, and introduce the company to new business prospects. FAME will also become an XCO SportsLink equity partner under specific terms of this new agreement.
XCO SportsLink is a smartphone technology company dedicated to creating smartphone solutions that enable sports organizations to connect to fans on a whole new level. The Atlanta Thrashers of the NHL recently launched “Thrashers 24/7” using XCO SportsLink to provide their organization with a content management solution and their fans with an engaging smartphone “app.” Several additional sports organizations will also be releasing their XCO “apps” in the next few weeks.
The XCO SportsLink solution includes a wide range of content capabilities, analytics, and technology services that will empower sports organizations to create and manage their content so that fans can easily download dynamic applications to their smartphones. All content will be available through a cell carrier or Wi-Fi network connection to a fan’s smartphone.
“We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with David Falk and Danielle Cantor who have distinguished themselves as sports marketing leaders,” said Alan Hayman, co-founder and president of XCO SportsLink. “With their vast knowledge of the industry and innumerable contacts, we believe our growth will be accelerated in the sports world by helping connect organizations with millions of sports fans carrying smartphones today.”
“FAME has always been an innovative leader in the sports world and our new partnership with XCO SportsLink is another example of how our firm will continue to play an integral part of our client’s marketing strategy going forward,” according to Falk. “We look forward to working with XCO SportsLink to heighten its presence in the sports industry and strengthen the company’s business results.”
Falk began his career representing professional athletes with ProServ in 1974, rising to Vice Chairman of the company. In 1992, he formed FAME to provide specialized and personal representation service to the company’s elite clientele of NBA superstars. In 1998, he sold FAME to SFX Entertainment, serving on SFX’s Board of Directors and in the Office of the Chairman. As Chairman of SFX Sports Group, Falk oversaw the acquisition of a dozen sports agencies that enabled SFX to represent approximately 20 percent of MLB and NBA players.
Falk has represented more NBA first-round draft selections, lottery picks, Rookies-of-the-Year, and All-Stars than anyone else in the athlete management business. In 1985, he negotiated Michael Jordan’s ground-breaking deal with Nike, and in the process coined the nickname “Air Jordan.” Falk negotiated the highest contracts in NBA league history for Patrick Ewing in 1985 and Danny Ferry in 1990. He also negotiated professional sports’ first $100 million contract in 1996 for Alonzo Mourning as part of an unprecedented free agency period in which FAME changed the entire salary structure of the NBA, negotiating over $400 million in contracts for its free agent clients in a six-day period.
Cantor has been a marketing executive in the FAME organization since 2000. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in the Wharton School, Cantor interned at SFX Sports, the corporate successor to FAME. She worked her way up to Director of Basketball Talent Marketing. When FAME re-launched in 2007, Cantor became Vice President with broad responsibilities in both marketing and player management.
About FAME
Falk Associates Management Enterprises (F.A.M.E.) is a boutique sports management and marketing company, specializing in the representation of star basketball players. Founded in 1992 by David Falk, FAME has represented the most elite, successful and highly compensated clientele in professional sports including: Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Elton Brand, Juwan Howard, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning, and Dominique Wilkins, as well as Hall of Fame coaches John Thompson and Mike Krzyzewski.
About XCO SportsLink
XCO SportsLink (www.xcosportslink.com) is a smartphone technology company based in McLean, Virginia. With the ever-increasing opportunities created by the mobile media market, XCO strives to leverage their knowledge to create unique and profitable benefits for its clients. XCO uses its rich experience in software development to create innovative and effective marketing solutions across a range of organizational structures.
|
