Doug Perlman


Douglas Perlman is the founder and CEO of Sports Media Advisors where he has worked on all of the firm's client engagements since its inception in 2009. Among other things, Sports Media Advisors and Perlman help sports properties optimize multi-platform distribution strategies, develop and execute growth strategies for sports related businesses, and perform diligence and deal support for investors considering media, technology, and/or sports related opportunities. Throughout his career, Mr. Perlman has been recognized by mutiple industry publications as a leader in the businesses of sports, media, and technology. These include being named by the Sporting News as one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Sports and being named to the Sports Business Journals Forty Under 40 three times, earning a spot in their Hall of Fame. He regularly appears on television and is often a featured speaker at industry events.
Since founding Sports Media Advisors in 2009, Mr. Perlman's clients have included NASCAR, USTA, NFL, MLB, UFC, Hockey Canada, Little League, EA, Twitter, , and several private equity firms. Notably, Perlman helped NASCAR secure a 10-year, $8.2 billion deal with NBC and Fox and negotiated an 11-year, $825 million deal that saw the USTA land on ESPN. Sports Media Advisors was recognized by the Sports Business Journal as one of the leading media consulting firms in the industry, earning a Sports Business Award nomination in 2014. The company celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2019.
Mr. Perlman began his career as an attorney at Proskauer Rose, a global law firm with the nation's top sports practice. Shortly after joining the NHL's legal department in the mid-90s, he recognized the promise of digital media and segued into a business role in order to establish the NHL's digital operations. Perlman spent more than 10 years at the league, ultimately serving as the Executive Vice President, Media and a member of the Commissioner's senior management team. Following the NHL, Perlman joined IMG as President of IMG Media, North America where he again oversaw the television and digital media businesses and was a member of the IMG's six-member global leadership team.

Early and personal life

Doug Perlman was born in Baltimore, Maryland and attended Staples High School in Westport, Connecticut. He is a graduate of Duke University where he received a B.A., cum laude, in Political Science in 1990, and of the University of Virginia School of Law where he received his J.D. in 1993.
Perlman currently resides in New Canaan, Connecticut with his wife, Lisa, and their three boys.