Chris Heck - President of Business Operations

[Toronto Villa]

Official. Welcome Chris. Whatever your job is do it well and make us loads of money.

https://twitter.com/avfcofficial/status/1658877698783969289?s=46&t=0-BUXD66ovTcofwrbTW4Ag

V Sports and Aston Villa are delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Heck as the Group’s new President of Business Operations.
 
Chris Heck brings over 30 years of sports industry experience to the Club, including his most recent role as President of the National Basketball Association franchise the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to his time with the 76ers, he held leadership roles at Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls and the National Basketball Association. He will report to Aston Villa ownership, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, and have full responsibility for all business and commercial matters.
 
Nassef Sawiris, Chairman of AVFC said: “We are excited to have Chris joining us as President of Business Operations. Consistent with our philosophy on the pitch, we have brought in world class talent off the pitch to help us continue our growth. Chris’ arrival will further establish Villa as a global leader in sport and enhance the fan experience.”
 
Mr. Heck said: “Villa’s storied history and impressive fanbase is something I’ve always admired from my sports career in the US. I look forward to becoming a part of this community and furthering the great legacy of this team and its fans.”
 
Chris will assume his duties effective immediately.

[PeterWithesShin]

and have full responsibility for all business and commercial matters.

I wonder where that leaves Purslow.

[Toronto Villa]

and have full responsibility for all business and commercial matters.

I wonder where that leaves Purslow.

I think Purslow has a role to play but maybe more domestically. Given this is a V Sports appointment as much Aston Villa, this to me sounds more growing our global brand. Commercially we have done ok but clearly lag behind several clubs we should be ahead of. And especially as we embark upon stadium expansion and hopefully European football next season, we need greater presence and revenue streams.

[Drummond]

and have full responsibility for all business and commercial matters.

I wonder where that leaves Purslow.

Running the Villa. V Sports is now here, in Portugal, Egypt and hopefully the USA in Vegas. Global partners will do us the world of good commercially, won't it?

[eamonn]

A storied history, huh? What a smooth-talker.

[tomd2103]

Taken from an article in The Mirror:

"Like many NBA franchises, the Sixers have grown considerably in value over the last decade, which Heck has as his proudest achievement. “The business side of me is going to say we took a $300 million franchise and made it $2.7 billion in worth over a nine-year period, which has never been done".

I think it's pretty clear he has been brought in to try and propel us into the top reaches of the league off the field. 

[pauliewalnuts]

As this is a group appointment I wonder whether Purslow just got himself a new boss.

[Toronto Villa]

As this is a group appointment I wonder whether Purslow just got himself a new boss.

That’s how it looks to me. Heck sets global commercial strategy, Purslow operates domestically and oversees more the business side of Aston Villa which is a critical function. He ultimately benefits from this because he likely didn’t have the “bandwidth” to grow us as aggressively as we need to.

[Des Little]

I won’t be impressed until he buys a round for everyone in the Barton’s.

[Gareth]

Wouldn’t be surprised to see Purslow step back a little, head towards retirement.

Shame we have got someone in who will grow the brand / marketing etc at the time that we have jumped into bed with a scummy betting firm again, particularly if it is for 3 years as was talked about…hardly a tier 1 sponsor if we are aiming for the top table

[dave.woodhall]

I won’t be impressed until he buys a round for everyone in the Barton’s.

Lerner and Krulak never did. Who bloody told them about the place anyway?

[Nev]

I won’t be impressed until he buys a round for everyone in the Barton’s.

I'll bet he walks in and gets served straight away after I've been waiting 25 minutes.

[pauliewalnuts]

I love America.

https://www.crossingbroad.com/2023/05/chris-heck-lands-job-with-premier-leagues-aston-villa.html

Aston Villa is a great club. Lots of history. Blue collar supporters from a blue collar steel town in Birmingham.

[olaftab]

Heck is really there to do Purslow job, isn’t he?

[ChicagoLion]

and have full responsibility for all business and commercial matters.

I wonder where that leaves Purslow.

It leaves Purslow out the door fairly soon.