Meet Bernie

Internationally acclaimed author, speaker, management expert and marketing consultant.

Dr. Bernie Mullin was CEO of two major league teams and a global-leading Sports and Entertainment Arena. Additionally, he served as SVP of Marketing and Team Business for the NBA, where he and his team developed an industry Business Best Practices unit that was so effective in growing league revenues by over $250M per season that it has since been copied by 11 professional sports leagues around the world.
Later, he founded and acted, first as CEO and then later as Chairman of The Aspire Group, a Sports Marketing firm that has since become the leading outsourced revenue-generating firm globally in this space. Aspire generated over $100M in new and enhanced client revenues per year, over $1.5B in total revenues since inception, while serving over 300 + global brands.

Bernie Mullin Headshot

The “Why” Behind It All

 As Chairman of the newly created Aspire Difference Foundation, Dr. Bernie Mullin oversees the charity designed to serve single-parent families with preschool children by supporting them to build a solid foundation for future success. All proceeds after direct expenses from speaking engagements and educational materials are dedicated to furthering this mission and securing foundations for lifelong success.

Mother playing with kids in field

Recognition & Awards

Honorary Doctorate

Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Coventry University in England in recognition for outstanding contributions to Sport Business and Sport Marketing.

Sport Business Hall of Fame

Inducted into the Sport Business Hall of Fame at Robert Morris University in 2012 and the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) Hall of Fame in 1999.

Board Involvement

Dr. Mullin has been active in the communities where he has lived, serving on the following boards: YMCA; Make a Wish Foundation; United Way and local Sports Councils and Visitor & Convention Bureaus.

Media Recognition

In his distinguished career, he has received numerous additional honors and recognition including being dubbed “The Guru of Ticket Sales” by Sports Illustrated in 1993, “The Pirate of Profitability” in 1986 by the forerunner of the SportsBusiness Journal, and being named the Boy Scouts of America “Peach of an Athlete Award” recipient in 2008.

Mission-driven business expertise.

Experience & Organizations

  • Chairman and Founder of The Aspire Group (2008-2023)
  • President/CEO of the Atlanta Hawks (NBA); Atlanta Thrashers (NHL) and Philips Arena (2004-2008)
  • SVP Marketing and Team Business Operations for the National Basketball Association (2000-2004)
  • Vice Chancellor of Athletics, University of Denver (1995-1999)
  • President/General Manager Denver Grizzlies (International Hockey League, 1993-1995)
  • SVP-Business, Colorado Rockies (MLB, 1991-1993)
  • SVP–Business Operations, Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB, 1986-1990)
  • Professor of Management and Sport Business, University of Massachusetts (1977-1986)

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