Founder & Chief Connections Builder – The Connect
Rayde Luis Baez
“Dominican economist, relocated to Spain, with almost two decades fully dedicated to the sports & entertainment industry. Founded and runs an international partnerships & business strategy advisory firm, under his own vision and brand called The Connect, from where he serves as Strategic Advisor to different companies, like Euroleague Basketball, Rakuten Inc., and Palladium Hotel Group, to name a few. Also co-founded and is a Managing Partner of SPORTHINK, a specialized advisory firm focused in investment capital sourcing for sports entities that seek financing and investment into technological transformation activities. Has been the Managing Director of an international sports marketing agency, leading business development for Southern Europe and the Americas, while handling the agency operations in the Iberian Peninsula. Previously, was part of the leadership structure of Euroleague Basketball in its marketing partnerships department, while also undertaking the strategic direction of the league’s digital business, and content marketing operations, creating award winning branded content and activation projects.
Member of the World Football Summit Advisory Board, and the Mentorship Board of the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft.
Throughout his career has worked in commercial and activation projects with Euroleague Basketball, MotoGP, the NBA and some of its franchises, some of the top Major League Baseball franchises, LaLiga, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the World Surf League, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Valencia CF, and several other sports properties. On the brand partnership building and activation side, has worked and continues to have a working relationship with decision makers at some of the renowned global brands in the space, namely TAG Heuer, BMW, Santander Bank, Red Bull, TIDAL, New Balance, Turkish Airlines, Adidas, 2K Sports, Nike, Spalding, New Era Cap, and The Upper Deck Company, amongst many.”
