Excel Seals Nolan Partners Acquisition

Global sports agency Excel Sports Management is acquiring sports and entertainment-focused executive search firm Nolan Partners.

Nolan will continue to be led by Chief Executive Officer Paul Nolan and President Chad Biagini while operating as a new vertical within Excel’s Properties division. It will continue to operate out of its offices in London and Dallas with select staff joining Excel’s New York headquarters. 

Primarily focused on senior executive and board level roles, Nolan works on a global basis with clients that range from leading sports teams, governing bodies and other major corporate organisations in sports. Recent placements range from the National Football League’s (NFL) Seattle Seahawks (pictured) to Major League Baseball, Premier League club Arsenal FC and French Ligue 1 club AS Monaco.

Jeff Schwartz, Founder and President at Excel Sports, said, “Nolan Partners is a globally recognised leader in executive placement due to their unmatched track record, industry connectivity and remarkable growth story.

“At Excel, we strive to be the absolute best at any business we enter and, similarly, Nolan Partners are best-in-class at what they do. We are tremendously excited to help Paul, Chad and the rest of the team at Nolan take their business to the next level within Excel.”

Nolan Partners was founded in 2006 by Nolan, the former Group Human Resources Director at The FA and Wembley Stadium, and Emma Thomson.

Nolan said, “Over the last 16 years, we’ve grown to become the biggest search firm in the world dedicated to executive search in sports and entertainment, working in partnership with iconic brands and wonderful clients across more than 20 countries and in every major sports league.

“Today, we join together with Excel, enhancing our ability to see our clients achieve their fullest potentials both on and off the field.”

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