Brain Davison
Brian Davison is a seasoned sports industry executive, entrepreneur, and global strategist with a track record of building brands, signing elite talent, and driving impactful partnerships in the sports business.
He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sports Business Ventures (SBV), a multi-faceted sports business platform dedicated to connecting, educating, and elevating professionals across all levels of the sports industry. SBV operates across four key verticals:
Sports Media – Content, storytelling, and thought leadership through newsletters, podcasts, and digital platforms.
Consulting – Strategic advisory services for brands, teams, leagues, and athletes in marketing, partnerships, and business development.
Products & Services – A growing community platform with career resources, networking tools, and the SBV Mentorship Marketplace, where sports professionals offer one-on-one career coaching and industry insights.
Recruiting in Sports – Connecting top talent with career opportunities across leagues, teams, agencies, and brands.
SBV serves not only college students and young professionals but also mid-career professionals, executives, and athletes transitioning into business careers. Its industry-leading Coaching Program is utilized by SMU, VCU, New Haven, Michigan, Samford, Bucknell, and other universities, while its recruitment services and consulting arm partner with sports organizations worldwide.
Previously, Brian was the Vice President of Basketball Development & Affairs for the Milwaukee Bucks, where he oversaw the Player Development department, managing the growth, career strategy, and off-court initiatives for Bucks players. While at the Bucks, he was a member of the 2021 NBA Championship Team.
At Nike, Brian held several leadership roles across retail, product creation, sales, and marketing within the U.S. and internationally. He oversaw endorsement deals with NBA athletes and team sponsorships for Nike Basketball and the Jordan Brand, collaborating with the league to enhance brand alignment, drive business growth, and tell athletes' stories. His dedication to shaping athletes' global strategies played a crucial role in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s journey at Nike, leading the international launch of the Freak 1 and key brand initiatives.
During his time at Nike and Jordan Brand, Brian was responsible for signing:
Nike Basketball: DeMar DeRozan, Karl-Anthony Towns, Pascal Siakam, Darius Garland, Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., Kyle Kuzma, Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon (Rookie of the Year), and Lauri Markkanen.
Jordan Brand: Worked on building the footwear business, promo footwear strategy, and outfitting elite athletes and NCAA programs such as Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, North Carolina, Georgetown, and Michigan.
At HEIR, Brian expanded his athlete marketing impact, signing Anthony Edwards, Tyler Herro, Bennedict Mathurin, Lonzo Ball, and more. He leveraged content and product innovation to tell athlete stories in new, engaging ways.
Brian was also instrumental in major sports activations, including NBA All-Star Weekends and the World Basketball Festival. His ability to blend athlete marketing, brand growth, and industry influence was showcased in these exciting events.
Before his corporate career, Brian played basketball at UNC Asheville and Brevard College. He was part of the 2003 Big South Championship team, which made history by winning UNC Asheville’s first-ever NCAA Tournament game before facing #1-seeded Texas in the next round. After playing, he transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant coach at Brevard College before launching his career at Nike.
A lifelong athlete, Brian stood out in three high school sports, excelling in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. This helped shape his multidimensional understanding of sports from a player and business perspective.
Brian is deeply committed to giving back to the sports community and sits on the board for Brevard College, Arizona State University’s Sports Business Department, and Pascal Siakam’s non-profit, PS43.
He holds a B.A. in Sports Management and Marketing from Brevard College and an M.B.A. in Sports Business from Saint Leo University. He resides in Phoenix, AZ, with his wife and three children.
