MISSOULA, Mont. – Justin Barnes has been appointed general manager for Learfield’s Grizzly Sports Properties, exclusive multimedia rights holder for University of Montana Athletics.
Barnes, who officially starts on March 1, is relocating to Missoula from Durham, N.H., where he served nearly four years as general manager for Learfield’s Wildcat Sports Properties representing University of New Hampshire. He also served three years with Learfield’s Black Bear Sports Properties at University of Maine, first as account executive then as general manager. His additional experience includes serving as an account executive for the CBS and CW affiliate WABI-TV5 and as senior account executive with Unicel.
Barnes will work alongside Director of Athletics Kent Haslam and the university athletic department to align initiatives in further building the Griz brand. Additionally, he will lead all aspects of the extensive rights relationship between Learfield and the Griz, which includes signage, sponsorships, corporate hospitality, event marketing, play-by-play radio, television and radio coaches’ shows, and digital opportunities via GoGriz.com.
“Justin will do an exceptional job leading our Grizzly Sports Properties team,” said Learfield Vice President Mike McCollum. “He is well versed in this industry and our company, and we know he’ll be an immediate asset to our team, as well as to Kent and his administration.”
An industry leader for more than four decades, Learfield has a deep presence in the college athletics landscape nationwide. It manages the multimedia and sponsorship rights for 120 collegiate institutions, conferences and arenas, and supports athletic departments at all competitive levels as title sponsor of the prestigious Learfield Directors’ Cup. Learfield also provides its collegiate partners access to professional concessions and ticket sales; licensing and trademark consulting; digital platform expertise; and venue and technology systems through its affiliated companies. For more about Learfield’s history, businesses and career opportunities, visit www.learfieldsports.com.