PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers Athletics Director Keli Zinn has tapped Todd Knisley to serve as Executive Deputy Athletics Director, Chief Operating and Revenue Officer. Knisley, a veteran of collegiate and professional sports business operations, brings more than 15 years of experience in revenue generation, partnerships and strategic growth.
 
"Todd has a proven track record driving revenue and leading high-performing teams," said Zinn. "His addition to the Rutgers Athletics staff is critical to our success moving forward. He knows what it takes for athletic departments to thrive and compete at the highest levels. I'm thrilled to welcome Todd, his wife, Kelsey, and their children, Brooks, Chase and Caroline, to the Rutgers family."
 
"This is an exciting time to join Rutgers Athletics as the department continues to build momentum and move forward under strong leadership," said Knisley. "Working alongside Keli once again and helping bring her vision of success to life is a tremendous opportunity. I've always been passionate about building relationships that drive sustainable growth and leave a lasting impact on both the student-athlete and fan experience.
 
"As we navigate the increasingly complex collegiate athletics landscape, particularly with the ongoing evolution of name, image, and likeness – collaboration, innovation, and a strong work ethic will be essential. Together, we have an incredible opportunity to build something truly special, and I'm eager to get started."
 
Knisley most recently served as vice president and general manager of Ohio State Sports Properties with Learfield, where he managed one of the largest revenue enterprises in college athletics. His portfolio included multimedia rights, naming rights, ticket sales, Ohio Stadium tours, digital content and name, image and likeness initiatives. Under his leadership, the property experienced unprecedented revenue growth, exceeding its revenue goals in each of the past six years.
 
Knisley was part of the formation of the Buckeye Sports Group, a groundbreaking initiative designed to support, streamline and enhance NIL opportunities for Ohio State student-athletes. This comprehensive approach helped to elevate all 36 Buckeye sport programs and create a sustainable, best-in-class NIL ecosystem to benefit athletes, brands and the University.  
 
Before Ohio State, Knisley was general manager of Mountaineer Sports Properties at West Virginia University where he guided consistent year-over-year growth. He spent seven years with the Mountaineers, overseeing all sales and operations for the property as associate general manager from 2013-15 before being elevated to the general manager role from 2015-20. He previously held leadership and sales roles at Marshall University, Texas Christian University, the University of Oklahoma and with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.
 
Knisley was named to the prestigious "Forty Under 40" list by Sports Business Journal in 2023 and has served as a board member with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission for the past five years.
 
Knisley earned both a master's degree and bachelor's degree in sport management from West Virginia University, graduating magna cum laude.
 
 
About Rutgers Athletics
The Rutgers Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (Rutgers Athletics), comprised of 24 men's and women's varsity sports serving more than 730 student-athletes, is a member of the Big Ten Conference and governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Rutgers is the Birthplace of College Football, hosting the first-ever collegiate matchup on Nov. 6, 1869, a 6-4 victory over Princeton. Rutgers Athletics is uniquely positioned in the nation's largest media market with over seven million television households, along with access to Big Ten Network and its nearly 60 million homes across the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1766, Rutgers University is the State University of New Jersey and eighth-oldest higher education institution in the country. As a premier academic institution, Rutgers is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for all of the latest news and updates. Also visit ScarletKnights.com for additional information on Rutgers Athletics.