Padres Promote Chris Connolly to EVP, Chief Marketing & Operations Officer

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres have promoted Chris Connolly to Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer, Padres CEO Erik Greupner announced today.

“Chris has been an outstanding leader and driving force behind the Padres’ continued growth and success,” said Greupner. “His highly collaborative, positive, creative, and committed approach has helped elevate our fan experience and organization in meaningful ways. This promotion reflects the impact he has made and our confidence in his ability to help lead the Padres going forward.”

In his expanded role, Connolly will continue to oversee the organization's marketing, brand, creative services, social media, advertising, broadcasting, in-game entertainment and fan engagement efforts while also assuming oversight for ballpark operations. He will continue to work closely with Greupner and the Padres executive leadership team to advance strategic initiatives, drive organizational growth, and enhance fan experience.

During his tenure as CMO, the Padres have consistently ranked in the top three in attendance among all Major League Baseball clubs while setting all-time franchise records in attendance three of the past four seasons. Additionally, season ticket memberships have achieved record levels in recent years and the fan experience at Petco Park is recognized as one of the best in sports. Among his accomplishments with the Padres, Connolly helped lead the successful launches of the club's City Connect uniforms in 2022 and 2026 and directed marketing efforts for numerous sold-out concerts and special events at Petco Park.

Prior to joining the Padres, Connolly spent 12 years with The Walt Disney Company, serving in a variety of senior leadership positions. He led marketing for the Disneyland Resort, where he played a key role in the successful launches of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Pixar Fest. Connolly also served as Senior Vice President of Consumer Marketing for Disney Consumer Products, helping lead the retail, product development and marketing initiatives behind the Frozen franchise and Disney Princess brand. Earlier in his Disney career, he served as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing for Walt Disney Studios.

A Southern California native, Connolly has also served as President of Big Idea Marketing Group, LLC and Vice President of Worldwide Marketing for Hasbro. A graduate of UCLA, he remains active in the community through guest lectures at local universities and mentoring students.