Matt Shanklin

With over 30 years of unique experience on the campus’ of two premier Southeastern Conference members, Shanklin brings a wealth of experience to Accelerate Sports Ventures. He served 20 years at the University of Arkansas, becoming the Razorbacks’ first Director of Marketing. Shanklin built the Razorback Marketing Office from the ground up with in-house multi-media sales, marketing and promotions, negotiating the schools largest partnerships, including what was then the largest single school sponsorship in college sports with an $11.3 million partnership with Southwestern Bell/Cingular.

Shanklin also served as the University Licensing Coordinator for 12 years, growing the Razorback brand into a consistent top 15 CLC-school. He was responsible for the creation of one of the largest college baseball radio networks while at Arkansas and also developed the schools Hispanic radio network. He also served as sport administrator for the highly successful Arkansas Razorback baseball program during his tenure in Fayetteville.

During his nearly 9 years with LSU Sports Properties, Shanklin helped grow the revenues by over $11 million dollars thru his unique dual role as General Business Manager of LSUSP and Associate AD for Marketing. His multi-media experience as seen Shanklin negotiate major partnerships with top brands Nike, Adidas, Coca-Cola, Gatorade, Capital One, AT&T/Cingular, Tyson Foods, Wal-Mart, Papa John’s, Anheuser-Busch, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, FujiFilm, Fanatics (retail) and Sodexho (concessions).

A 1988 graduate of University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Shanklin earned his Masters degree from the highly regarded Ohio University Sports Administration program in 1989. Following in internship at the University of Arkansas, Shanklin was the Assistant Marketing Director at East Carolina in 1989-90 before returning back to the University of Arkansas as the first Director of Marketing for the program.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Shanklin grew up in Owensboro, Kentucky and Charlotte, North Carolina, graduating from South Mecklenburg High School. He resides in Baton Rouge and is the proud father of three daughters, Jordan, Blake and Izzy.