<p>Vince Gennaro is a seasoned executive with a remarkable career that spans from corporate leadership to sports management. With a background in economics from Seton Hall and an MBA from the University of Chicago, Gennaro's career is one of constant evolution, driven by a passion for innovation and talent development.</p> <p>We were pleased to catch up with Gennaro recently to learn more about his background, how he came to NYU SPS, and his advice for incoming students.</p>

<p>Gennaro's career began at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, followed by a role in consulting. However, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to purchase a franchise in the Women's Professional Basketball League in 1979—an endeavor ahead of its time, pre-dating the WNBA by nearly two decades. When the league folded, Gennaro transitioned into a 20-year career at PepsiCo, where he played a pivotal role in launching iconic products, like Cool Ranch Doritos, and led the company's food service beverage division.</p> <p>In 2007, Gennaro's love for sports led to the publication of his book, Diamond Dollars: The Economics of Winning in Baseball, which opened doors to consulting opportunities with professional sports teams and a teaching career in sports business programs. His deep knowledge of baseball analytics also blossomed into a decade-long radio show on SiriusXM, where he continues to share his insights.</p>

<p>Gennaro's move into higher education was a natural extension of his passion for developing talent, a commitment he honed during his years at PepsiCo. His leadership at the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/preston-robert-tisch-institute-for-global-sport.html" title="Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport">Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport</a> reflects his forward-thinking approach, particularly in keeping the curriculum ahead of industry trends. &quot;We don't just look to other academic programs or even the sports industry for best practices,&quot; Gennaro explains. &quot;We look outside the industry—at technology, at what's happening globally—and ask how that can be applied to sports.&quot;</p> <p>This forward-looking mindset led Gennaro to introduce courses like Blockchain for Sports back in 2019, long before the technology became mainstream. His advice to students and future professionals in the field is to broaden their horizons: &quot;You have to look outside of your narrow focus. Cast a wide net and think about the problems you're trying to solve.&quot;</p>

<p><span class="p-body">Gennaro is also the founder of the <a href="https://sabr.org/analytics/case" target="_blank" title="Diamond Dollars Case Competition">Diamond Dollars Case Competition</a>, which challenges students to apply data to decision-making in baseball. Held annually at the SABR Analytics Conference in Phoenix, the competition has become a vital networking opportunity, with many participants securing job offers from major league teams.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Bringing the real world into the classroom is at the center of the Tisch Institute for Global Sport.</span></p>

<p>Beyond the classroom, Gennaro is deeply committed to the idea of sport as a force for social impact. Under his leadership while associate dean, the Tisch Institute prioritized not only the commercial aspects of the sports business but also the role of sports in promoting social justice, equality, and diplomacy. This is reflected in initiatives like the global football conference in Brazil and potential projects in Africa, where sport serves as a unifying force in a continent of diverse cultures and governance structures.</p> <p>As Gennaro continues to shape the future of global sports education, his focus remains on developing the next generation of leaders who can harness the power of sport for both business success and social good. His advice to students is simple yet profound: &quot;Learn how to learn. Continuous learning is key to staying ahead in an ever-changing world.&quot;</p> <p>Interested in joining the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/preston-robert-tisch-institute-for-global-sport.html" title="Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport">Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport</a> at NYU SPS? Explore an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-global-sport.html" title="MS in Global Sport">MS in Global Sport</a>.</p>