Chicago Cubs Promote Alex Sugarman to Senior Vice President of Strategy and Development, Expand Role of Colin Faulkner to Vice President of Sales

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today announced the promotion of Alex Sugarman to senior vice president of strategy and development, as well as an expanded role for Colin Faulkner as vice president of sales and partnerships. 

Sugarman oversees the Cubs' strategic planning and corporate development functions. Since joining the Cubs in 2010, Sugarman has increased the use of analytics in organizational decision making, played an integral role in the negotiation of the team's current ticketing agreements and was central to the Cubs' and Ricketts family's recently-announced partnership with Starwood Hotels & Resorts. He continues to lead strategic development of future growth opportunities, including concessions, broadcast rights and the Wrigley Field restoration.

Sugarman joined the Cubs in 2010 after four years with Galatioto Sports Partners, LLC, where he served as an advisor to the Ricketts family in the acquisition of a controlling interest in the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field and 25 percent of Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

"Alex pushes our boundaries in strategic development and has earned the respect of everyone in the Cubs organization," said Chicago Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney. "Our goal is to challenge traditional thinking in our business and Alex is a lead contributor whose work ethic, intellectual rigor, collaboration and humility set an example for others in the organization."

Colin Faulkner assumes an expanded role overseeing the organization's corporate partnerships, in addition to ticket sales and service. Since joining the Cubs in 2010, Faulkner has reorganized the ticket office with a focus on customer service. Since then, the Cubs recruited additional sales and service associates, launched the team's first Season Ticket Holder relocation event, opened new seating options such as the Budweiser Patio and successfully negotiated several important ticketing-related relationships. Faulkner led the development of proprietary market analytics to guide pricing decisions and guided the adoption of dynamic pricing in 2012. Last season, the Cubs welcomed their largest Season Ticket Holder base in franchise history. 

Faulkner joined the Cubs in 2010 as vice president of ticket sales and service after 10 years with Hicks Sports Group, where he most recently served as senior vice president of marketing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League.

"Colin has established himself as an innovative leader with a track record of providing exceptional customer service," said Kenney. "In a very short period of time, he has become an important contributor in our cultural evolution under the Ricketts family ownership."

Colin's expanded role comes following the departures of Executive Vice President, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Wally Hayward and Managing Director of Corporate Partnerships Samantha Coghill as part of the recently-announced creation of W Partners. W Partners will report to Faulkner and support the sales and service of Cubs corporate partnerships, as well as the development of new assets created as part of the Wrigley Field restoration.