Mark Stephen Pannes
A graduate of the College of Communication at the University of Texas in 1991 with Special Honors and as a William Randolph Hearst Fellow, Mark has devoted his career to working in the sports and entertainment sector. His record of success has been impressive, with each club he has worked for across 17 seasons making the playoffs, and in 14 of those years, leading their respective leagues in total revenues. He also serves as one of three trustees of the Global Sports Foundation, the grant providing arm of Beyond Sport the not-for profit initiative headed by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, which uses sport to drive social change globally.
In his current role as Director, Sport for HSBC Private Bank, Mark is responsible for the development and management of its Global Sports Group (GSG), delivering comprehensive banking, tax advisory, and wealth management services to sports industry professionals and organizations around the world. In 2008 Forbes magazine ranked HSBC Group as the world’s largest company, and the Private Bank is one of its major operating divisions. Presently, the GSG manages funds under service (FUS) totaling USD$1.55 Billion for over 500 athletes and institutions worldwide.
Prior to joining HSBC, from 2004-06 Mark served as Directeur General Exécutif (EVP - managing director) of the major league professional basketball club in Paris, France, Paris Basket Racing, which included NBA All Star and French National Tony Parker in its ownership group. During his tenure overseeing all business operations, the club experienced a major turnaround – in the first year alone it sold 40% more tickets, while increasing ticket prices an average of 350%, improved from 13th to 4th place in standings, and made the quarterfinals of LNB playoffs, FIBA Europe League playoffs, and French Cup (PBR made no playoff appearances prior year). Mark also worked closely with the French government and the city of Paris on the 2012 Olympic Games bid.
From 2000-2004 Mark founded and ran Skilo Brand, a private consultancy providing strategic and operational capabilities to major sports/entertainment properties, helping them drive revenue and grow rapidly. As managing partner, he oversaw sales, client servicing, legal, P&L, and the firm’s operations. Clients included Time Inc, Texas Rangers (MLB), SFX, InStyle Magazine, Dallas Stars (NHL), Time-Life Music, and the USTA. During this period, he also taught market research at the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management at New York University.
He spent the 1990s at Madison Square Garden with the New York Knicks, in a series of increasingly senior roles culminating as the team’s chief marketing officer. Under his stewardship the Knicks launched the first-ever pro sports team game broadcasts in high definition television format, compiled the longest active consecutive games sellout streak in US sports (427 games – every game for nine+ seasons), and set the all-time indoor sports season box office receipts record (1999-2000 season). In 1997, Mark helped launch the WNBA’s NY Liberty, which led the league in box office receipts its first seven seasons, while also playing in three championship finals.
During his tenure at MSG and while working 60+ hours/week in-season, he earned a JD from Fordham Law evening program, finishing two semesters ahead of his class. He also served as the team’s liaison with MSG’s 19 trade unions and achieved a détente in management-labor relations that saw no Knicks-related grievances over a 42-month span. At 29 years of age, Mark became the youngest vice president in team history.
Mark currently lives in London with his lovely wife Pam and their three children Kate (9), Nick (7), and Larry (2), and their 13 year old Labrador, Skilo.
