Erika Nardini is Barstool Sports activities’ first CEO. In six years, she’s confirmed that she is the proper lady for the job. Since becoming a member of the small sports activities weblog in 2016, she has turned it right into a multi-industry model and digital media firm.
So, who’s Erika Nardini? Listed here are 10 attention-grabbing info concerning the Barstool CEO:
Achieved Businesswoman
Erika Nardini has a formidable resume with expertise that spans almost 20 years. She started her profession as media supervisor for Constancy Investments. Throughout her time at Constancy, she oversaw all broadcast, print and interactive media planning and shopping for. Nardini established and launched Constancy’s first digital planning observe within the late 90s. Her earlier positions embody government advertising roles for Microsoft and Yahoo! From 2013 to 2015. Nardini was named chief advertising officer of AOL the place she developed the corporate’s total advertising options operation. Earlier than Barstool Sports activities, Nardini was president and chief income officer for Bkstg, a platform that facilitated direct relationships between musicians and followers.
‘Token CEO’ Podcast
You’d suppose Nardini would have a full plate being Barstool’s CEO and whereas she most likely does, she finds the time to host her personal podcast known as “Token CEO.” The podcast is described as “an express enterprise podcast for individuals with out a enterprise diploma.” With over 280 episodes, “Token CEO” takes listeners by way of Erika’s life as she covers present information and enterprise technique. Listeners may also catch a glimpse of what’s happening at Barstool HQ. Nardini is usually joined by weekly visitors from entrepreneurs to Barstool workers members.
WWE Departure
Nardini joined the World Wrestling Leisure board in 2020, 4 years after changing into CEO of Barstool Sports activities. Nevertheless, her time on the WWE board was short-lived and she or he needed to depart with the WWE two years after becoming a member of. Her resolution to depart the WWE was as a result of Penn Nationwide Gaming buying all of Barstool. Briefly, Nardini needed to shift her concentrate on “constructing out the following section of the mixed companies” after the Penn acquisition turned official.
‘Stoolie’ to CEO
Erilka Nardini turned CEO of Barstool Sports activities in 2016 after Dave Portnoy offered a serious fairness stake to funding agency Chernin Group. Earlier than getting into the function of CEO, Erika was a long-time ‘stoolie.’ If it wasn’t apparent, ‘stoolie’ refers to followers of the Barstool web site. She advised Fortune, “I’ve been vastly passionate concerning the web site for a very long time.”
Huge Modifications For Barstool Sports activities
Most of Barstool’s development lately might be attributed to Erika. She has grown Barstool from a small sports activities web site to a multi-industry model. If we’re speaking numbers, Nardini boosted a 3,900% enhance in general income and boosted follower counts throughout social media by 5,700%. She orchestrated the strategic partnership with Penn Nationwide Gaming and constructed Barstool Sportsbook, probably the most distinguished on-line gaming firm within the U.S. As CEO, she has launched greater than 60 manufacturers together with the world’s #1 sports activities podcast, #1 golf podcast and #1 hockey podcast. Stoolies can sit up for what she’ll do in one other 5 years.
Huge L.L. Bean Fan
Erika is a big fan of retail firm L.L Bean. On her personal “Token CEO” podcast she claims that she is the “largest L.L Bean fan. Ever.” She additionally admitted that she wears the model day by day and that she is “loyal to L.L. Bean because it will get.” Based on Cash Inc., Nardini has a big assortment of L.L Bean tote baggage and spends her break day including to her giant assortment.
Work Arduous Play Arduous
A part of being a profitable CEO is having a robust work ethic, a notion that Nardnini’s dad and mom instilled in her from an early age. Erika’s dad and mom had been lecturers and although she didn’t have a lot, she realized that if she needed one thing she needed to work for it. Erika advised Forbes, “If I labored onerous I’d become profitable. If I had cash, I may do what I need. And I appreciated that and I nonetheless do.”
Award Profitable CEO
If Erika’s expertise wasn’t sufficient, her awards definitely show that her success is one thing to be celebrated. Nardini has gained a number of awards over time such because the 2004 Echo Award for Royal Caribbean and named certainly one of MediaPost Journal’s High 20 Rising Media Stars. In 2006, she gained Google’s Advertising and marketing Machine Award. A 12 months later, she obtained the Gold Award for Nokia “New 12 months’s Eve” in 2007. In 2014, Nardini gained the Promoting Corridor of Achievement Class of 2014.
Her CEO Position Was Controversial
Since changing into CEO of Barstool Sports activities in 2016, Erika has been known as “probably the most controversial girls in sports activities media.” The announcement of her new function got here as a shock to many as a result of she was a girl overseeing a male-dominated web site that stirred controversy over its misogynistic feedback from its followers and founder Dave Portnoy. Above all the controversy, Nardini maintains that Barstool Sports activities is likely one of the least sexist firms she has ever labored for.
She Prefers to Maintain Her Life Personal
Erika’s profession endeavors are on the market for everybody to see however on the subject of her personal life, she prefers to maintain a low profile. What we do know is that she is married and has two younger sons. In 2021, there have been rumors that she and her husband separated as a result of an alleged affair Nardini had together with her squash coach. Regardless of the thrill, Erika has managed to maintain particulars of her personal life underneath wraps since then.