Cole Gahagan

As the President and CEO of Learfield, Cole Gahagan leads the most diversified and influential media and technology company powering college athletics and live events. The company consists of five businesses, including ticket solutions provider Paciolan, trademark licensing company CLC, leading website and app platform SIDEARM Sports, ticketing sales and fundraising services provider Learfield Amplify, and Learfield’s core multimedia rights business.

Under Cole’s leadership, Learfield has innovated across all company business areas, delivering data-driven, year-round fan connectivity through unmatched access to premier college sports media and content. Learfield is also driving the evolution of collegiate multimedia rights through industry leading solutions in NIL and original content creation to connect brands with passionate college fans. Cole’s vision helped launch Fanbase™, the largest data collection of college fan profiles; Learfield Studios, which has delivered 1,500+ units of original content with 300 brand partners, yielding 435+ million impressions to-date; and Learfield Allied, providing innovative solutions and increased opportunities in name, image, and likeness (NIL) for college partners, student-athletes and brands alike.

Prior to joining Learfield in 2020, Cole served as Chief Commercial Officer for Fanatics. He also held executive roles at Ticketmaster and Live Nation, including Chief Revenue Officer, and Senior Vice President of Development and Strategy.

Cole has been the recipient of Sports Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award, Leaders in Sport’s Leaders Under 40 Award, and named to Billboard Magazine’s list of Top 25 Digital Players in Entertainment. He also launched the company’s nationwide partnership with Team IMPACT, and personally serves as a member of the organization’s board of directors.

Cole holds a BBA from TCU, an MBA from SMU, and resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife, Jackie, and their two children, Henry, and Annabel.