Michael Sundheim Email & Phone Number

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

⇨ Promoted to oversee franchise-wide, executive-level, mission-aligned messaging and communication strategies for the entire holding company, including the Hurricanes team and planned $1B Raleigh Entertainment & Sports District. ⇨ Serve as the organization’s spokesperson and primary media point-of-contact.⇨ Managed announcement of a new naming-rights partner for PNC Arena, which was renamed Lenovo Center in September 2024.⇨ Currently promoting Phase One of the Entertainment & Sports District, which will begin construction in 2025 and is anticipated to be completed in 2039.⇨ Report to the president and CEO. Prepare the leadership team for professional appearances and press conferences. Write quotes, letters, talking points, and other strategic communications collateral.⇨ Maintained all prior communications responsibilities (see below).

⇨ Pivoted to digital marketing platforms due to industry-wide decline in traditional media budgets and reduced head count at TV and radio stations.⇨ Created a first-of-its-kind media website and Twitter page to expand coverage of players, coaches, events, games, and promotions with photo, video, and audio. This strategy was replicated by many other teams over the next 15 years.⇨ As a member of the strategic leadership team when Raleigh hosted the NHL Stadium Series (2023), drove ticket sales and community affiliation. Sold out the venue (56,961 seats) in the most successful home game in team history.⇨ Helped to launch the Hurricanes’social media presence: Facebook (297K followers) and Twitter (544K). Then, transitioned these pages to a dedicated social media team.⇨ Evolved Hurricanes brand identity from a new-to-the-region sport to a beloved team. This required internal and external engagement, creative problem-solving, and project management of multiple, concurrent campaigns and programs.⇨ Prior to 2024 promotion, coordinated team travel, including player relations and logistics for booking accommodations, transportation, catering, and restaurants.

⇨ Execute coordinated, strategic public relations campaigns to promote events (e.g., NHL All-Star Game, Theme Nights, Stanley Cup Final, NHL Draft, and fundraisers) and internal communications for employees and players.⇨ Build and manage relationships with hundreds of media outlets, higher education institutions, social influencers, and community opinion-drivers, such as USA Today, CBS Sunday Morning, The New York Times, ESPN, The Wall Street Journal, and GQ.

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

Raleigh, North Carolina

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Journalism And Mass Communication, Minor In Business Administration

Master Of Arts (Ma), Sports Management