SFC appoints Bill Schoonmaker Vice President of Sales and Business Development

SFC appoints Bill Schoonmaker Vice President of Sales and Business Development © Sport Fishing Championship

Sport Fishing Championship (SFC), the governing body of saltwater tournament fishing, announced it has appointed Bill Schoonmaker as Vice President of Sales and Business Development. Schoonmaker will be responsible for developing corporate partnerships and driving new areas of revenue generation. This role will deliver sales across all SFC revenue verticals to include corporate partnerships, live events, boat shows, SFC All Stars, SFC Awards Show, SFC Experience and SFC's The Catch.

"Selling niche sports requires a uniquely strategic skill set, aligning brands with a lifestyle, and Bill's success doing just that is as impressive as you'll find," said Mark Neifeld, Commissioner and CEO of Sport Fishing Championship. "More importantly, Bill's a great culture fit. We couldn't be more excited to have him join the team."

For more than 30 years, Schoonmaker has worked with leading global and domestic marketers, agencies, and sports and entertainment properties to deliver breakthrough strategies that drive revenue and measurably build brands. His experience and relationships span dozens of rights holders across professional, collegiate, Olympic, amateur, and youth sports, along with non-profit, entertainment, and arts properties and organizations, including saltwater fishing tournaments.

"Every once in a while, an opportunity presents itself that uniquely aligns with a person's passion and their professional skill sets," said Schoonmaker. "The SFC is that opportunity for me. Mark and our amazing SFC team of pros have created an incredibly powerful, vertically aligned platform for brands to authentically connect with over 70 million anglers and millions more that just love to watch and engage with saltwater fishing. The ocean is our arena and I'm thrilled to be part of it."

Most recently, Schoonmaker was the President and Founder of MOTIVATE Sports Group, a boutique sports marketing consultancy built on decades of consumer and business-to-business experience with iconic brands. Prior to that, he was Chief Operating Officer of USA Lacrosse, and has held leadership roles for various international and domestic brands, agencies, and organizations. Schoonmaker currently serves on the board of the Sports & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland which supports Maryland's Sports Commission in hosting world-class sporting events, such as the White Marlin Open in Ocean City, MD.

Schoonmaker grew up in Connecticut on Long Island Sound, where he developed a lifelong passion for saltwater fishing and water sports.

To learn more about the Sport Fishing Championship and view the full 2023 season schedule, visit sportfishingchampionship.com.