C. Ryan Shelton

Chief Business Officer - Como 1907 / SENT Entertainment

London, England, United Kingdom

About

Experienced senior executive with a demonstrated history of success in the sports industry. Skilled in Sales, Event Management, Media Relations, Employee Training, Sports Marketing and P&L Management. Recruiting, training and developing talented young people has been the key to my success in this industry.

Experience

  • Chief Business Officer at SENT Entertainment
    Jun 2026 - Present · 2 mos

  • Como 1907 ()
    • Chief Business Officer
      Jun 2026 - Present · 2 mos

    • Chief Revenue Officer
      Dec 2024 - Jul 2026 · 1 yr 8 mos

      • Scaled commercial revenue from under €2M to nearly €50M across a three-year period, establishing Como 1907 as one of Serie A's fastest-growing commercial operations • Founded Como Ventures, the club's early-stage incubator and investment platform — the first of its kind in European football • Oversee the full commercial portfolio across Como 1907, Como Brewery, SENT Tourism, Como Ventures, SENT Digital, and ComoTV • Manage and develop partnerships with globally recognised brands including Revolut, Brioni, Ferrari Trento, and Neuberger Berman

    • Head of Revenue, Sales and Operations
      Mar 2023 - Dec 2024 · 1 yr 10 mos

      • Designed and launched the "Beyond Football" commercial model, repositioning Como 1907 as a lifestyle and culture brand rather than a traditional football club • Secured landmark partnerships with adidas (Technical Partner) and Uber (Front of Shirt), the club's most significant commercial agreements at the time • Led a concurrent stadium feasibility study with four global agencies — Legends, CAA, IMG, and Elevate — informing the long-term venue development strategy • More than doubled season ticket sales in the club's final Serie B season, building the commercial foundation ahead of promotion to Serie A • Built the commercial and operations function from the ground up, scaling from zero to a 20+ person team within 18 months • Brought food and beverage operations in-house, delivering a 30x increase in F&B revenue • Expanded corporate hospitality capacity from 360 to more than 1,900 guests, transforming the matchday commercial offer

  • NASCAR (4 yrs)
    • Managing Director, National Consumer Sales and Strategy
      Sep 2022 - Mar 2023 · 7 mos

      • Expanded scope beyond sales leadership to drive enterprise-level business strategy, including new market development and the creation of marquee event properties • Exceeded 2022 Consumer Admissions Revenue budget by 44% — representing a 214% outperformance against the baseline expectation set at the start of 2020 • Delivered six sold-out events in 2022

    • Senior Director of National Consumer Sales and Strategy
      Feb 2020 - Sep 2022 · 2 yrs 8 mos

      • Following the NASCAR-ISC merger, appointed to a newly created league-level role to build and lead a centralised sales function covering all consumer, group, and premium revenue across 12 NASCAR-owned tracks • Exceeded 2020 Consumer Admissions Revenue budget by 30% despite the pandemic — one of the few major sports organisations to outperform targets that year • Exceeded 2021 Consumer Admissions Revenue budget by 85%, restoring sales to above pre-pandemic levels within a single season • Sold out the 2022 Daytona 500 before Christmas — two months ahead of schedule and the first time in the event's history • Scaled the sales organisation from a 12-person academy to a 105-person team in under two years • Deployed Outreach.io as the organisation's first enterprise sales engagement platform, materially increasing team efficiency and connection rates

    • Vice President of Business Operations - Michigan International Speedway
      Apr 2019 - Feb 2020 · 11 mos

      • Directed Corporate Sales, Ticket Sales, and Ticket Operations across one of NASCAR's flagship venues • Exceeded sponsorship revenue budget and sold out all corporate and consumer hospitality areas in the same season • Grew ticket sales for both NASCAR Cup Series races at the venue — the first time both events had increased simultaneously in 15 years • Founded The Fuel Academy, an inside sales development programme designed to recruit, train, and advance early-career sales talent

  • Salem Red Sox (6 yrs 1 mo)
    • President and General Manager
      Jan 2016 - Apr 2019 · 3 yrs 4 mos

      • Named 2015 Carolina League Executive of the Year • Hosted the 2017 Carolina League All-Star Classic, the league's marquee event • Grew season ticket revenue 379%, group and suite revenue 111%, sponsorship revenue 31%, and total gross revenue 41% over a four-year period • Delivered the four highest net income seasons in the organisation's ownership history • Produced 45 of the 50 highest-attended games in the Salem Red Sox era • Developed a talent pipeline that has produced professionals now working across MLB, NBA, NHL, and NASCAR • Led capital infrastructure projects including the installation of a new Daktronics video board and full playing surface replacement, in partnership with Salem city officials

    • General Manager
      Aug 2013 - Dec 2015 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      • Delivered 11 sellout crowds across two seasons — compared to one in the previous six years — through a complete reimagining of the fan and commercial experience • Grew season ticket revenue 221%, sponsorship revenue 19%, and total gross revenue 36% over a two-year period • Negotiated a new 10-year lease with Salem city officials, securing the organisation's long-term operational foundation

    • Vice President of Ticket Sales
      Apr 2013 - Aug 2013 · 5 mos

  • Manchester Monarchs ()
    • Senior Director of Ticket Sales
      Aug 2012 - Apr 2013 · 9 mos

      • Generated 1,400+ new full-season equivalents (FSE) across three seasons — nearly three times the output of the prior three-year period • In first season overseeing group sales, set a team record in group ticket revenue, achieving a 24% increase despite a two-game schedule reduction • Produced the two best group sales seasons (revenue and ticket count) in the team's 12-year history • Reversed five consecutive years of individual ticket revenue decline, delivering three straight years of growth • Built and led the sales hiring process through an inside sales programme incorporating DISC and Workplace Motivators assessments

    • Director of Ticket Sales
      Apr 2011 - Aug 2012 · 1 yr 5 mos

    • Season Ticket Manager
      Apr 2010 - Mar 2011 · 1 yr

      In first season as Season Ticket Manager doubled New Season Ticket Revenue over previous season.