The Falcons have hired a key executive from the outside sales firm handling the team’s personal seat license sales.
Michael Drake leaves Legends Global Sales to become senior vice president and chief revenue officer-business operations of AMB Sports & Entertainment (AMBSE), which includes the Falcons and the Atlanta United soccer team.
In his new position, Drake will oversee all ticket and suite sales for the Falcons and Atlanta United, as well as tour and catered-events business at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Falcons retained Legends in 2013 to handle suite and PSL sales for the new stadium. Drake, a Legends vice president, had led the firm’s work for the Falcons since then. He previously worked on seat-license programs for the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers.
The Falcons said Legends will continue in its role on Mercedes-Benz Stadium sales, under Drake’s supervision.
In another move, AMB Sports & Entertainment promoted Tim Zulawski to senior vice president and chief commercial officer. He will lead sponsorship and broadcast sales and service for the Falcons and Atlanta United and will be responsible for major-events sales in the new stadium.
Zulawski, who has been with the Falcons since 2003, spearheaded negotiations last year with Mercedes-Benz on the stadium naming-rights deal, the team said.
The executive changes follow the recent departure of former Falcons chief marketing and revenue officer Jim Smith, who left the organization to lead Ohio State’s alumni association.
In their new positions, Drake and Zulawski will report to Rich McKay, president of the Falcons and AMBSE.
