A seasoned sports expert, Andrea Pagnanelli, has been appointed CEO of the National Cycling League (NCL).
The President and Co-founder of NCL, Paris Wallace said, “Andrea has been tremendous in building our vision for 2023 and has learned the business inside and out. Andrea’s extensive experience working at the intersection of business and sports makes her the right person to lead our company moving forward. I am incredibly excited to have her building this league with us and to steer the NCL into our next phase of growth.”
Andrea has over 15 years of expertise in the sports world and has held managerial positions with the NFL, NBA, MLS, NWSL, and Relevent Sports before joining NCL as its chief executive officer. She graduated from Brown University where she played D-1 soccer and was named one of Forbes’ 30 under 30. The New York Business Journal also recognized her as a “Woman of Influence.”
Prior to obtaining a front office role with the NFL’s New York Jets, Pagnanelli began her career with the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. She later launched her own business, LeapSeats, and joined RSE Ventures, where she built the International Champions Cup’s (ICC) business from the ground up. Her previous positions include Chief Business Officer at Gotham FC, EVP at LAFC, and COO at Thuzio.
“The National Cycling League is setting a new standard for inclusivity in professional sports by championing diversity. I was drawn to the opportunity to impact and transform communities through our mission,” says Andrea Pagnanelli. “With more than 50 million cyclists in the U.S., we have an opportunity to grow the passion and excitement for the sport of cycling among the next generation of fans.”