Unmissable Sports Forum - "The Business of Global Sport"

Leading executive with a 20-year proven track record of exceptional global revenue generation and senior level leadership in the football industry.

Focussed on serving the needs of ownership groups, commercial partners, fans and internal teams with a passionate, low ego, “follow me” leadership style.

Adept at selling strategies and vision at all levels whilst retaining, and ensuring, accountability for results/performance.

Structured, persuasive and effective negotiator with extensive contract execution experience.

Engaging presentation style and adept at forging, and retaining, meaningful internal and external relationships.

Strong football knowledge and network gives comfort building relationships/gaining trust of key coaching and playing personnel.

Ability to recruit and develop talent and manage high and low performance, while ensuring optimal team structures with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Extensive international experience (having worked in Argentina, Brazil, USA, China, Singapore, the Middle East and across Western Europe) ensures an ability to identify, and adapt to, diverse cultural needs supported by Spanish and Portuguese language skills.

Michele Ciccarese is an experienced international sports executive with more than 15 years in sport, media, marketing and commercial strategy. He currently serves as Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Italy’s top-flight football competition, overseeing the league’s global commercial growth, brand strategy, international expansion, media partnerships and fan engagement initiatives.

Before joining the league, Ciccarese built an international career across leading sports marketing and media organisations in Europe and the Middle East. His experience spans sponsorship, commercial partnerships, broadcasting, fan engagement and major sporting events, having worked with global brands, football federations and rights holders to develop innovative commercial strategies and expand international audiences. His work has played a significant role in strengthening Italian football’s global profile through strategic partnerships and overseas market development

Chief Executive Officer and senior executive leader in the sports and entertainment industry.

A former professional athlete who has transitioned into executive leadership, with experience leading commercial, legal and operational functions within major sporting organisations. Proven ability to align strategy, governance and commercial performance to deliver sustainable growth.

A commercially focused lawyer and skilled negotiator, experienced in complex stakeholder environments and high-value negotiations.

Richard O’Connell is one of Australian sport’s leading growth and participation executives, driving community engagement and game development initiatives that connect thousands of participants with sport each year. As Executive General Manager, Community & Game Development at the West Coast Eagles, he leads programs focused on grassroots participation, talent pathways, inclusion, and long-term growth across Western Australia. Richard brings valuable insights into building strong sporting communities, developing future talent, and creating lasting impact through sport.

John Lee is a highly respected Australian tourism, sport and government executive with more than 35 years of leadership experience across the public and private sectors. He currently serves as a Board Commissioner for Tourism Western Australia, bringing extensive expertise in tourism strategy, major events, sport administration and economic development. As Director of John Lee Consulting, he advises ASX-listed companies, government agencies and leading sporting organisations on strategic growth, governance and stakeholder engagement. He also chairs SportsGrid and Melanoma Patients Australia.

Giorgio Brambilla is the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) of Palermo Football Club, one of Italy’s most historic football clubs and a member of the City Football Group portfolio. He leads the club’s commercial and revenue strategy, overseeing sponsorship, partnerships, retail, hospitality, ticketing revenue growth and broader commercial development. Palermo’s official organisational structure lists Brambilla as the club’s Chief Revenue Officer within the Commercial Area.