FC BARCELONA - Steve Gera

Company / Club:

FC Barcelona

Position inside the Company/Club:

Barça Innovation Hub US representative

Speaker Biography:

A proud Missourian, Steve will quickly say “show me” when you first meet, and he believes in the timeless words: “We will find a way or make one.” These principles are the cornerstone of his approach to helping sports entertainment companies transform their business.

Steve joined the United States Marine Corps three days after 9/11 and served two tours of combat in 2003 to 2004. After leaving the Marines he got his MBA, during which he was asked if he could “do Moneyball” by the San Diego Chargers. He said “yes,” and a career built on saying “yes” was born.

He spent a decade working in the NFL as a coach, scout, and executive before co-founding the AI company Winning Algorithms which helped TeamSky Cycling to Tour de France wins in 2015 and 2016. He then became a partner at Hickory VC, a sports investment firm and along the way began advising European football clubs on investing, technology, and strategy. In 2017 he co-founded Gains Group as the leading innovation agency for sport and entertainment.

Steve is the Chief Executive at Gains and responsible for the company’s vision and innovation practice. He works closely with FC Barcelona, WWE, IMG and organizations such as the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. He still works with elite military units for fun on the side – because it’s interesting.

Track:

CRAFTING NEW MODES OF INNOVATION IN SPORTS. A CONVERSATION WITH...