If there is any way to personify success through perseverance then Susan
O'Malley is a model example. Named President of Washington Sports and
Entertainment on May 9, 1991, O'Malley became the first female president of an
NBA franchise as well as president of a multi-faceted sports and entertainment
company.
A respected leader and motivator, O'Malley has risen through the ranks to
the top of Washington Sports and Entertainment. Once an intern with the Bullets
and Capitals, O'Malley joined the organization full-time in 1986 as Director of
Advertising. Since that time, her ground breaking business ideas and proactive
approach to customer service has brought her, and Washington Sports and
Entertainment, to the top of the sports business world.
After being named President, O'Malley took an organization ranked last to
its counterparts in close to every category, and initiated policies and
procedures that have formed positive relationships with ticket holders,
corporate sponsors, and the media.
In her first season handling off-court activities, the team experienced the
largest ticket revenue increase in the history of an NBA franchise to date. In
addition, that year, the club achieved the highest renewal rate of season
tickets ever by the franchise, including the year following the 1977-78
Championship season.
As President, O'Malley oversees all business operations for the Washington
Wizards and Mystics. In addition, she is responsible for overseeing operations
in the Abe Pollin owned MCI Center, Entertainment and New Business Development,
Finance, Human Resources/Payroll Services, Marketing, Team Operations, and
TicketMaster.
"The city of Washington is extremely fortunate to have a man like Abe Pollin
spend over $200 million of his own money to build a world-class sports and
entertainment facility in the heart of the city at no expense to the
taxpayers," said O'Malley. "It's my job to make sure that MCI Center continues
to provide outstanding entertainment for this city as often as possible. Since
we opened in 1997, we have been among the 'busiest' arenas in the country, and
we will continue to be for years to come."
O'Malley's magic has helped attract over 17.4 million patrons through the
turnstiles of the Washington, D.C.-based facility through October of 2004 to
witness professional basketball at its finest as well as spectacular events and
concerts. In the six and a half year history of MCI Center, the arena has been
host to more then 1,411 concerts and sporting events. In 2002, MCI Center
finished the year with the most events in the history of the building with
228.
From a young age, O'Malley always knew her path in life. As a grade school
student, she wrote a paper declaring her goal was to run a sports franchise.
Her teacher deemed the goal "unrealistic," but O'Malley was not swayed. After
graduating in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business and finance
from Mt. St. Mary's College, O'Malley worked for the Earle Palmer Brown
Advertising firm for three years before joining the Bullets in 1986. She worked
for two seasons in the advertising department before being promoted to
Executive Vice President and took control of the business operations of the
franchise.
A skilled motivator, O'Malley created a spirited, results-oriented work
environment that has been emulated in professional sports. While she demands
hard work and determination from her staff, she has been rewarded with loyalty
- her core management team, assembled by O'Malley when she assumed control of
Washington Sports, remains intact 13-years later. Her motivational methods are
much sought-after, as she has become an often-requested speaker for civic,
academic, and corporate groups.
"I think motivation and drive always comes from within," said O'Malley.
"There are people that I greatly admire and respect. [Former chairman of the
Washington Post] Katherine Graham was one of my great heroes. People like that
inspire me. It's easy to point to someone like Sandra Day O'Connor, who became
the Supreme Court's first female member over twenty years ago. People who keep
trying to move forward, that's important to me, that's what inspires me."
For two years, O'Malley taught a Sports Business Marketing class at the
Georgetown University Business School. Sharing her invaluable experience with
the senior students, O'Malley lectured on what she knows best: how to run a
successful sports franchise. Along with guest celebrities and seasoned veteran
sports marketers, Georgetown students were exposed to a first hand experience
in sports business without ever leaving the classroom. In 2002, Georgetown
awarded O'Malley with the Adjunct Professor of the Year Award.
O'Malley is a strong advocate of community service, a quality that is
emulated by Washington Sports and Entertainment. She works tirelessly in
countless fundraising capacities for worthy causes. For her commitment to
youth, O'Malley was the recipient of the Americanism Award from the
Alexandria-Olympic Boys and Girls Club in 1997.
O'Malley resides in Alexandria, VA.
