From Verizon and Charlotte FC to Betting on Himself | Nick Kelly

Show Notes

On this episode of Lessons from Sports, Wayne Partello from CUENTO Marketing sits down with Nick Kelly, former sports marketing leader at Anheuser-Busch and Verizon. He was also the former President of Charlotte FC, and now the founder of his own consultancy. Nick shares stories from behind some of the biggest sports activations in the industry, including shifting iconic sponsorship strategies, launching an MLS expansion club during the pandemic, building alignment inside billion-dollar organizations, and why the best partnerships are built on trust. They also dive into what happens after reaching the top: leaving a dream job, starting over, learning to say no, and redefining success on your own terms. From stakeholder management to leadership lessons and the freedom that comes with building something of your own, this episode is packed with insights for anyone navigating growth, business, and the next chapter of their career.