Matt Higgins (businessman)

Matt Higgins is an American businessperson and the President and CEO of RSE Ventures,[1] a sports, entertainment and technology firm. In 2012, Higgins co-founded RSE [2] with Stephen M. Ross, the founder of Related Companies and owner of the Miami Dolphins. Higgins also serves as an executive for the Miami Dolphins, and had been a high-level executive with the New York Jets.

Career

Higgins is the CEO of RSE Ventures, a company who has invested in various technologies, including: FanVision, the handheld device that is the official in-venue content provider of NASCAR,[3] Thuzio, the project of former NFL running back Tiki Barber and Mark Gerson of Gerson Lehrman Group in 2013,[4] and Poptip in 2012, among others. Along with these investments, RSE has launched several companies, such as the International Champions Cup in 2013 - the annual summer soccer tournament that brings together the best soccer clubs in the world, and Insignia in 2012 (now Ascendent Sports Group).[5] RSE Ventures also partnered with Gary Vaynerchuk in 2014 to form VaynerRSE.[6] In 2015, Forbes listed RSE Ventures as one of the 10 best organizations to work for in sports.[7]

Higgins is also the Vice Chairman of the Miami Dolphins,[8] serving as an advisor to owner Stephen Ross on business and personnel decisions. Higgins helped hire Mike Tannenbaum, the Dolphin's executive vice president of football operations. Prior to the Dolphins, Higgins worked for the New York Jets from 2004 to 2012, serving as the executive vice president of business operations and close advisor to Jets owner Woody Johnson.[9] Higgins was instrumental in helping the team build MetLife Stadium with the New York Giants, building a new training facility in Florham Park, and using Twitter, Facebook and a revamped website for fans to have better access to the team.

Before his career with the Jets, Higgins was COO of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, the firm tasked with rebuilding the site of the World Trade Center.[10] He also served as Press Secretary under Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, managing the global media response to the September 11 attacks in 2001 for New York City.[11]

In 2007, Higgins was recognized by Crain’s New York as one of the top 40 executives under 40 in New York.[12] Four years later, Sports Business Journal selected him in their 40 under 40 list as one of the most outstanding executives in sports.[13]

In 2016, he urged fellow Republicans to cast their vote for Hillary Clinton – arguing that the ″preservation of the republic″ is more important than ″taxation and anything else″.[14]

Personal life

Higgins is a board member of Autism Speaks and an avid runner.[15] In 2011, he ran the ING marathon to help raise money for autism.[16] Higgins received a bachelor's degree from Queens College and a Juris Doctor from Fordham Law.

References

  1. ↑ "Ex-Jets Executive Joins Miami Owner's Venture". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Sports Technology Writes New Playbook for Investors". Bloomberg Business'. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  3. ↑ "FanVision, PrePlay Inc. merge to digitize the real-life sports experience". New York Business Journal. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Tiki Barber's Thuzio raises $1.5 million to pimp out pro athletes". Pando Daily. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  5. ↑ "How RSE Ventures Is Revolutionizing Business As We Know It". Forbes. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Here's what Gary Vaynerchuck is really up to with that new $25M fund (exclusive)". VentureBeat. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  7. ↑ "The Best Organizations To Work For In Sports". Forbes. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Young and influential: Miami Dolphins fans know little of Matt Higgins, key adviser to owner Stephen Ross". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Jets executive vice president Matt Higgins steps down after eight years with team". NJ.com. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Blocks; World Trade Center Endures. Read the Signs.". The New York Times. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  11. ↑ "New York Jets VP was Giuliani press secretary during 9/11". Sporting News. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Matthew Higgins - 2008 - 40 Under Forty". Crains New York Business. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Fory under 40". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  14. ↑ USA Today: Clinton expands outreach to male Republican voters in wake of Trump issues, 14 October 2016
  15. ↑ "Dealing With Cancer, Jets Executive Slows Down by Running". The New York Times. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Daughter gives Jets exec reason to run". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
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