The basics:

• Mangione starts as CEO of Scarlet Knight Enterprises Aug. 3
• Most recently worked for NYNJ Host Committee
• Scarlet Knight Enterprises will expand Rutgers’ commercial operations
• Entity will focus on revenue, partnerships, ticketing, digital engagement, NIL

Rutgers Athletics named veteran sports executive Fred Mangione as CEO of Scarlet Knight Enterprises. The intercollegiate sports program created the new business entity to help guide the department through the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics.

Mangione most recently served as chief business officer for the NYNJ Host Committee for the FIFA World Cup. He will begin his new role Aug. 3. At the host committee, Mangione led commercial business operations tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium, including the Final. He also helped drive regional partnerships, hospitality strategies, ticketing initiatives and community engagement efforts across New York and New Jersey.

As NJBIZ reported, Rutgers launched Scarlet Knight Enterprises earlier this year as a strategic step to modernize and expand its athletics business operations. Developed under Director of Athletics Keli Zinn’s leadership, a board of sports and entertainment leaders, including inaugural chairman Oliver Luck, will also guide the initiative.

The entity is designed to centralize and grow key commercial functions, including:

• Multimedia rights
• Corporate partnerships
• Ticketing strategy
• Marketing
• Digital engagement
• Name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes

The organization builds on the foundation of Scarlet Assets Management Co. (SAMCO). At the same time, it establishes a broader structure designed to help Rutgers navigate the evolving college athletics business environment and generate new revenue streams to support student-athletes and long-term program growth.

‘Lifelong New Jersey resident’

“Few opportunities could mean more to me than helping build the future of Rutgers Athletics,” said Mangione. “As a lifelong New Jersey resident, I’ve spent my career helping grow professional sports organizations throughout this region, and I understand the pride Rutgers represents for our state.”

Zinn said Mangione’s background in building commercial operations across major sports properties makes him a strong fit for the new enterprise and this role.

His deep understanding of the New Jersey and New York sports and business landscape will be instrumental to our success.
– Keli Zinn, director of athletics, Rutgers

“Scarlet Knight Enterprises was created to accelerate how Rutgers Athletics generates revenue, builds strategic partnerships, and positions itself to compete at a higher level,” said Zinn. “Fred Mangione is the ideal leader to help us achieve that vision. Fred has a strong history of delivering exceptional results for some of the most recognizable brands in sports and entertainment. His deep understanding of the New Jersey and New York sports and business landscape will be instrumental to our success.”

“We are excited to welcome Fred Mangione as our new CEO,” said Luck. “Fred is a proven leader with a track record of driving revenue growth and building successful organizations which is critical for Scarlet Knight Enterprises as we continue to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities ahead.”

Sports business veteran

Before joining the NYNJ Host Committee, Mangione founded M&M Sports Consulting. There, he advised sports and entertainment organizations on naming rights, sponsorship strategy, ticket sales, organizational structure and commercial growth. His consulting work includes projects with the Big 12 Conference, Red Bull New York, the New York Islanders, UBS Arena, FanIQ and Seat Club.

Mangione also previously served as senior vice president of sales, marketing and premium partnerships for the New York Jets. In that role, he helped drive year-over-year revenue growth and played a role in the franchise’s rebranding efforts.

Before joining the Jets, Mangione spent nearly two decades with the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center, serving in executive roles including chief operating officer, chief revenue officer and chief marketing officer. He was part of the leadership team that helped guide the Nets’ relocation to Brooklyn, develop the franchise’s new identity, and establish Barclays Center as a major sports and entertainment destination.

At Rutgers, Mangione will lead Scarlet Knight Enterprises as college athletics continues to undergo major changes involving revenue sharing, NIL opportunities, expanded transferring, media rights and new approaches to commercialization.

He added, “College athletics is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history, and Rutgers is uniquely positioned to become a national leader in this new environment.”