Stephen Butler

Sports Industry Executive | Co-Founder of Osaka World | Former International Hockey Player | Global Marketplace & Retail Partnerships | Hockey, Tennis, Golf & Racquet Sports | Passionate about Global Sport Culture

Brasschaat, Flemish Region, Belgium

About

Sport has shaped both my career and my life. As a former international field hockey player for Ireland, I developed a deep appreciation for the role sport plays in inspiring people and building communities. Over the past 20 years I have built my career within the global sports industry, working across athlete partnerships, brand building and international retail marketplaces. As co-founder of Osaka World, I have helped grow the brand into a globally distributed performance sports company with distribution across 40+ countries and partnerships with more than 300 retailers worldwide. My experience spans multiple performance categories including Hockey, Padel, Tennis, Golf and pickleball, working closely with athletes, retailers, distributors and partners to build strong sport ecosystems. Earlier in my career I worked with Callaway Golf managing the Irish market, developing deep experience in the golf specialty retail channel. I am passionate about building brands that serve athletes and elevate sport culture, and I am particularly interested in opportunities that combine sport, retail marketplace strategy and global brand growth.

Experience

  • Owner at Osaka World
    Mar 2011 - Present · 15 yrs 4 mos

    Leading Hockey Lifestyle Brand.

  • Owner at ICONIC
    Dec 2010 - Present · 15 yrs 7 mos

    ICONIC Sales and Marketing Agent for Sports and Lifestyle goods. Bringing Iconic brands to the European market.

  • Area Sales Manager at Callaway Golf
    Aug 2008 - Aug 2010 · 2 yrs 1 mo

  • Sales Manager at Canterbury of New Zealand
    Aug 2005 - Mar 2008 · 2 yrs 8 mos