Today, the Kansas City Chiefs announced the hiring of David Higdon as Executive Vice President of Communications. Higdon, who has held communications leadership roles in tennis, golf, NASCAR, and esports, joins the Chiefs as the team continues to expand its brand globally and solidify long-term facility plans for the future of Chiefs Kingdom.
"We are extremely excited to welcome David to the Chiefs family as the new lead of our communications, community outreach, and civic affairs teams," Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. "David has a wealth of experience across global sports brands and organizations as well as a reputation for being a strategic and innovative leader. We are excited to add his perspective, voice, and leadership to an established group of high-performing individuals in these departments and look forward to seeing how he can further elevate Chiefs Kingdom locally, regionally, nationally and internationally."
This position plays a critical role in shaping and executing a comprehensive communications strategy for the Kansas City Chiefs organization as well as other club business ventures, working with the executive leadership team to support club initiatives, help amplify objectives, and expand cross-departmental collaboration. Higdon will be responsible for overseeing the team's existing Communications functions, working closely with Vice President of Corporate Communications Luke Shanno, while all day-to-day football communications efforts will remain with Vice President of Football Communications Brad Gee.
In an evolution of the EVP – Communications role, Higdon also will lead the team's Civic Affairs and Community Outreach departments. In those areas, he will monitor legislative and regulatory developments at the local, state, and federal levels; engage with officials and stakeholders to advocate for the organization; and ensure that outreach programs and initiatives support the club's commitment to social responsibility and community engagement while addressing key social issues and driving positive change.
"It's a tremendous honor to join the Chiefs at this unprecedented time in their storied history," said Higdon, who attended last Sunday's AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead and will join the team in New Orleans next week for Super Bowl LIX. "Clark Hunt has impressively built upon the legacy shaped by his father, Lamar, while he, Mark, and many others here have evolved the present-day Chiefs into something truly special. The vision that they shared with me was inspiring, as the Chiefs aspire to be the NFL's 'World's Team' and expand its success both on- and off-field in the years ahead."
Most recently, Higdon helped elevate the video game industry's biggest esport – League of Legends – as well as the world's fastest growing esport – VALORANT – as Global Head of Esports Communications at Riot Games in Los Angeles. He previously served as Vice President of Integrated Marketing Communications for NASCAR, helping to introduce an integrated marketing communications strategy to the organization while also serving as communications lead for NASCAR's facility entity, International Speedway Corporation (ISC), and sports-car league, International Motor Sports Association (IMSA).
Before his time at NASCAR, Higdon served as Chief Communications Officer for the LPGA Tour, directing global communications and creative services for the international women's golf circuit. His initial communications role was as Senior Vice President, Communications at the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals), building and leading a global team which handled governance issues, the creation of events, anti-doping and integrity policies, and crisis communications for the men's tennis tour. He also implemented a brand strategy with Roger Federer that focused on philanthropy, fashion, sports, and entertainment, launching Federer's exposure and reputation beyond the tennis court.
Born in Chicago and raised in Michigan City, Indiana, Higdon graduated from Kalamazoo (Mich.) College with a bachelor's degree in political science. He began his professional career as a journalist, writer, and editor, including serving as a stringer for The New York Times covering the NFL, NBA, NHL, tennis, and other sports in the Pacific Northwest. He is Chair Emeritus at the University of Oregon's Warsaw Sports Business Center and an annual Sports Emmys® judge.
He and his wife, Sharon, have two adult children, Jake and Sophie, and the couple are relocating from Bend, Oregon.
Nolan Partners, an Excel Sports Management company, was retained by the Kansas City Chiefs to lead the search for the organization's Executive Vice President of Communications.
