Nino Vanin
sports marketing and corporate partnerships executive
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
About Nino Vanin
Nino Vanin is a sports and entertainment sales executive with more than 20 years of experience in corporate partnerships, sponsorship sales, business development, and sports marketing. He spent five years with JMI Sports, serving as Vice President, Northeast from 2018 to 2023, where he oversaw approximately $6MM in annual sponsorship revenue and managed partnerships across University of Pennsylvania Athletics, Harvard Athletics, Columbia Athletics, and The Armory. During his tenure leading the Penn Sports Properties account, Vanin grew sponsorship revenue by $1.1MM+ over four years and closed the three largest deals in Penn property history through multi-year partnerships with Toyota (3 years/$1.14MM), Santander Bank (3 years/$1MM), and Freedom Mortgage (3 years/$1.1MM).
Before joining JMI Sports, Vanin held business development leadership roles at Spectra (2016–2018), where he exceeded annual revenue quotas and closed 29 new deals over a two-year period, resulting in $3.2MM in revenue and $1.36MM in profit. He previously worked with Learfield and ANC (A Learfield Company) as Regional Director and Vice President, Collegiate Sales in 2015 and 2016. From 2011 to 2015, Vanin served as Director of Corporate Partnerships for Drexel University Athletics at Front Row Marketing Services, generating $2.02MM in sponsorship revenue over four years and maintaining an annual sponsor renewal rate of 93%+.
Earlier in his career, Vanin held positions at Saint Joseph's University as Director of Sales & Marketing (2007–2011), University of Connecticut Division of Athletics as Assistant Director of Marketing & Corporate Relations (2004–2006), and Naval Academy Athletic Association as Assistant Director of Sales & Marketing (2001–2004). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in The Writing Seminars from Johns Hopkins University in 2001 and a Master of Arts/Master of Science in Sport Management from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2007. Vanin grew up in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he was a First Team All-Western Massachusetts basketball player at Amherst Regional High School in 1996. He is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Areas of Focus
Career Background
Spectra
Spectra
ANC (A Learfield Company)
Learfield
Front Row Marketing Services (a division of Comcast-Spectacor)
Front Row Marketing Services
Saint Joseph's University Department of Athletics
University of Connecticut Division of Athletics
Naval Academy Athletic Association
University of Massachusetts Department of Athletics
Education
Amherst Regional High School
Johns Hopkins University
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Media
Press
JMI Sports Names Nino Vanin Vice President, Sponsorship Sales for Penn Sports Properties - University of Pennsylvania Athletics
Read the full article ›How Nino Vanin Built a Career Creating Value in Sports Partnerships - CEOWORLD magazine
I have never represented a 'marquee' sports property so I have always had to rely on an aggressive yet disciplined approach in order to make companies and brands believe that they should investRead the full article ›
Nino Vanin Reflects on the Evolution of Sports Sponsorship and Corporate Partnerships
When I first entered the industry, many sponsorship discussions focused primarily on visibility and exposure. Today, organizations and brands are looking for true partnerships. They want measurable value, authentic engagement, and opportunities that align with their long-term objectives.Read the full article ›
Nino Vanin on Why Great Partnerships Begin Long Before the Deal
The work always comes first. Positive things will happen if you put in the work.Read the full article ›
Awards & Recognition
- Leadership Award, Front Row Marketing Services, July 2013
- Rookie of the Year, Front Row Marketing Services, July 2012
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Nino Vanin do?
Nino Vanin is a sports marketing and corporate partnerships executive with more than 20 years of experience in sponsorship sales, business development, and sports marketing, primarily in collegiate athletics.
What is Nino Vanin known for?
Vanin is known for his work in corporate partnerships and sports sponsorship, particularly his success in building long-term, relationship-driven partnerships in college sports and his disciplined approach to exceeding revenue targets.
Where is Nino Vanin based?
Nino Vanin is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he has spent much of his career in the sports business industry.
Where did Nino Vanin study?
Vanin earned a Bachelor of Arts in The Writing Seminars from Johns Hopkins University in 2001 and a Master of Arts/Master of Science in Sport Management from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2007.
Last updated July 24, 2026