USC Marshall School of Business

The Trail Blazers introduced Chris McGowan as the team’s President and Chief Executive Officer on October 29, 2012. He joined the Trail Blazers from AEG Sports, where he spent the past 16 years, most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of the sports division.

McGowan oversees all of the day-to-day business operations of the Trail Blazers, including ticket sales and service, corporate partnerships, marketing, communications, community relations, digital entertainment, finance and human resources. He works alongside Trail Blazers General Manager Neil Olshey and reports to Peter McLoughlin, CEO of Vulcan Sports and Entertainment.

In his previous role as COO of AEG Sports, McGowan oversaw the business operations of the NHL’s 2012 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings and the MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy. He also assisted with operations for all of AEG’s sports teams worldwide. McGowan managed all of the various business departments of the Kings organization and was responsible for club revenues, including developing strategies to grow the Kings’ fan base and enhance the fan experience.

The Sports Business Journal recognized McGowan’s accomplishments at AEG Sports by naming him to their exclusive “Forty Under 40” list in March 2012. The list is made up of the “best and brightest” individuals in sports industry under the age of 40.

After first joining the Kings as an Account Executive in 1996, McGowan developed an extensive background in the sales and marketing of sports and entertainment by working on a variety of large-scale events. One of the many highlights of his work with AEG was his role in opening STAPLES Center in October 1999.

A native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, McGowan earned his degree in International Relations from the University of Delaware in 1996. Chris and his wife, Susan, have two sons, Ryan (9) and Kyle (8).