The Memphis Sports & Events Center, a 227,000-square-foot competitive youth sports facility currently under construction in Liberty Park, has named Antonio Perez General Manager.
Perez, formerly the Director of Youth Basketball Programming for the Memphis Grizzlies, will lead the Memphis Sports & Events Center on behalf of Virginia-based facility operator Eastern Sports Management.
“We are excited to welcome Antonio as our on-the-ground representative of this significant new asset for Memphis,” said John Wack, President of Eastern Sports Management. “Who better to lead our activation and ongoing management of this competitive youth sports destination than a renowned local leader in the category?”
Perez’s direction of tournaments, leagues and programs successfully grew the Memphis Grizzlies’ fan engagement, revenue generation, regional awareness, and community outreach. Among other highlights while with the Grizzlies, Perez set numerous participation and revenue records while also launching new programs such as FedExForum-based basketball tournaments and initiatives to increase girls’ participation in sports. Perez was a charter member of the Grizzlies’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) working group and a member of the team’s mentoring program.
“I’m thrilled for this opportunity to advance Memphis’ role as an epicenter and home base for sports and, specifically, competing youth and families,” added Perez. “This role not only blends my passions but will amplify the value of youth sports to our community and regional, if not national tourism efforts.”
Prior to his time in Memphis, Perez spent eight years with the Orlando Magic. While there, he was part of the team’s 2009 NBA Finals run and contributed to the team’s opening of the state-of-the-art Amway Center. Additionally, he established sports tourism partnerships in over a dozen countries, won multiple sales performance awards, and in 2014 was named the team’s Volunteer of the Year. Perez also worked with the NHL’s Florida Panthers—namely at the team’s practice and events facility—and for over 10 years has been contracted by the NBA and its marketing agencies to support large-scale efforts such as NBA All-Star Weekend.
To inquire about tournament bookings at the Memphis Sports & Events Center in Liberty Park, visit memphissportsandevents.com.
“Our experience shows that this Memphis Sports & Events Center is a unique facility both regionally and nationally, and now with Antonio on board, we are ready to take the tournament inquiries already in the pipeline and secure them for our first year of operation,” said John Wack of Eastern Sports Management.
ABOUT THE MEMPHIS SPORTS & EVENTS CENTER. The Memphis Sports and Events Center (MSEC), under construction in LIberty Park adjacent to the Liberty Bowl and set to open later this year, will be a 227,000 square foot facility suited for basketball, volleyball, wrestling, and cheer, as well as other sports and events. The MSEC will also include a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, flexible meeting space, and outdoor multi use turf fields. The facility is operated by Virginia-based Eastern Sports Management and is part of the grander Liberty Park project, a mixed-use development of entertainment venues, dining, retail, hotel, and apartments. To learn more, visit www.LibertyParkMemphis.com.
ABOUT LIBERTY PARK. Building on the spirit of an iconic past, Liberty Park represents iconic destinations including the Liberty Bowl and Tiger Lane, the Children’s Museum of Memphis and the Kroc Center and is growing to include a $200M mixed-use private development and Sports and Events Center with phased openings beginning this winter. A current list of campus elements may be found onlibertyparkmemphis.com.
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