GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Michael Ceilley, a proven executive leader in the sports and entertainment landscape with more than 27 years of experience, has been hired as the University of Florida Athletic Department’s first Deputy AD/Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Athletics Director Scott Stricklin announced today.
Ceilley, who has delivered sustained revenue growth, product innovation, and strategic expansion across global franchises and venues throughout his career, will serve as a member of the University Athletic Association’s Executive Team. He will be responsible for identifying, developing, and executing integrated strategies designed to enhance and maximize revenue streams across the athletic department. His leadership will oversee areas including marketing, communications, ticketing, sponsorships, licensing, Gator Boosters, merchandise, concessions, NIL opportunities, and special events.
“This is an exciting time for Florida Athletics as we continue to look for innovative ways to grow and support our programs,” Stricklin said. “Michael brings a proven track record of success in building partnerships and creating revenue-generating opportunities across a multitude of assets and organizations. We are thrilled to welcome Michael and his family to the Gator Nation.”
Ceilley most recently served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Partnerships and Media Sales for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), where he held various leadership posts since 2004. While at KSE, he served as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and was responsible for developing and executing strategic plans for multiple sports teams, venues, media properties, and real estate developments.
He led a team of more than 45 professionals who worked with KSE properties including the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Rams, Arsenal Football Club, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Mammoth, Ball Arena, the River Mile and Ball Arena Redevelopments, Emirates Stadium, and SoFi Stadium. He also served on the Kroenke Signature Properties Global Steering Committee, providing oversight of multi-market partnership development in Los Angeles, Denver, and London.
Ceilley built revenue and strategy teams that drove significant compound annual growth in sponsorship, media, and ticketing revenue. He also led the sales, marketing, and negotiation strategy for several high-profile naming rights, uniform, and marquee partnership deals, while playing a key role in securing new media rights agreements for the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche.
“I am honored to join the University of Florida and become part of one of the nation’s premier athletic programs,” said Ceilley. “The Gators’ tradition of excellence is unmatched, and I am excited to support Scott’s vision for engaging millions of passionate Gator fans during this transformative time in college athletics. I look forward to collaborating with Scott, the UAA leadership team and staff, as well as our partners, to drive growth and provide resources that enhance the student-athlete experience while connecting with Gator fans everywhere.”
Prior to KSE, Ceilley spent five years in the Denver market in media, sponsorship, and sports marketing roles. He is a graduate of the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business, where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Marketing and later earned an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA). He was captain of the men’s tennis team and named the Sun Belt’s Academic Athlete of the Year as a senior. Originally from West Des Moines, Iowa, he was a three-sport varsity athlete in high school. Married to Lindsay Evered Ceilley, the couple has three daughters – Kyla, Shay, and Aven.
