Elevating the Game: Dan MacKenzie’s Story
How basketball has increased in popularity in Canada.
If you were to ask who has been a major player in the growth and popularity of basketball in Canada, Dan MacKenzie’s name would certainly be at the top of the list.
As Vice-President and Managing Director of NBA Canada, Dan is responsible for the development and growth of the league’s business in Canada, and also manages the league’s relationship with the Toronto Raptors.
In 2016, Dan was instrumental in the success of the NBA All-Star event in Toronto. As the NBA’s local media spokesperson, Dan raised the profile of the event through a variety of activities across Canada, which reached more than 1 million fans. Dan also credits the event as an important learning moment in his career.
“Given the multi-faceted nature of a global event, it was interesting to see from the inside how it all came together and how to truly make it feel ‘Canadian’. This has helped me in my career through the relationships that I was able to build with various departments within the NBA in both New York and our global network of offices.”
The success of the Toronto Raptors in the past four years as well as the high Canadian draft picks in the NBA has all contributed to the increased popularity of basketball in Canada. To no surprise, this is what excites Dan the most.
“From introductory programs like the Jr. NBA all the way to the high school and college ranks, the number of kids playing organized basketball in this country has never been greater. Also, when you look at the pipeline of elite talent from Canada who have the opportunity to play in both the NBA and WNBA, the future of Canadian basketball is bright.”
Indeed, the future of basketball has never been brighter than it is now in Canada, but how did Dan end up the position he is in today?
Before Dan began his career at NBA Canada, he completed a post-graduate Sport and Event Marketing program at George Brown College in Toronto. Now, 20 years later, Dan will be awarded the 2017 Alumni Achievement award at this year’s 5 To Watch Canada’s Sport Business Awards on June 22.
“It’s truly an honour to be recognized as the 5 to Watch Alumni Achievement winner this year. It is especially rewarding as this is the 20th anniversary of my graduating class and to be the first alumni winner from such a talented class of professionals is pretty special.”
Congratulations, Dan!
Dan MacKenzie is the Vice-President and Managing Director at NBA Canada . To learn more about Dan’s story, you can connect with him on LinkedIn.
Will you be attending this year’s 5 To Watch?
The 5 to Watch Awards are presented annually to five Canadian sports business professionals who have achieved remarkable career success prior to their 40th birthdays. Canadian Sport Business Network is proud to be a community partner for the 2017 5 To Watch Awards, taking place on Thursday, June 22.
For more information about the event, please visit the event website.
