Colorado Rapids Welcomes Haley Durmer as Chief Business Officer
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – In a significant move for the Colorado Rapids, the club has officially announced the appointment of Haley Durmer as the Chief Business Officer (CBO). With a strong background in commercial strategy and data-driven decision-making, Durmer is set to elevate the Rapids’ operations and fan engagement to new heights.
A Promising Addition to the Rapids Leadership
Durmer brings a wealth of expertise to the Rapids, having previously excelled in roles that require acute business acumen and strategic insight. She will oversee all non-sporting operations, focusing on the club’s commercial strategy and execution. Reporting directly to the Colorado Rapids President, Pádraig Smith, she will officially step into her role on July 7.
“Haley is one of the most impressive rising talents in sports business today,” expressed Smith. “Her strategic mindset and commercial acumen will be invaluable as we reshape our operations. With her leadership, we aim to strengthen connections with our fans and identify new market opportunities.”
A Distinguished Career in Sports Business
Durmer’s impressive track record includes a rich history in ticketing strategy, fan analytics, and revenue optimization, particularly within Major League Baseball. Most recently, she served as the Senior Director of Revenue Optimization for the Seattle Mariners, where she led business planning initiatives and significantly enhanced performance across ticket sales, marketing, and partnerships.
In her role with the Mariners, she was instrumental in the successful hosting of the 2023 MLB All-Star Game, working on the leadership committee to boost market awareness and promote community involvement.
Enthusiastic About the Future
“I’m incredibly excited and grateful to be joining the Colorado Rapids,” Durmer stated passionately. “With the Denver region being one of the most dynamic sports markets in the country, I see tremendous potential here to strengthen our connection with the community.” Durmer is looking forward to collaborating with the talented Rapids team and engaging with devoted supporters.
Past Achievements and Recognition
Before her tenure with the Mariners, Durmer served as Senior Analyst of Business Strategy with the New York Yankees, where she led multiple initiatives focused on customer loyalty and marketing automation. Notably, she played a pivotal role in creating Yankees U, an internal education initiative aimed at fostering professional development within the organization.
Recognized as a rising leader in the industry, Durmer was named to the Front Office Sports ‘Rising 25’ list in 2019 and awarded as an Emerging Executive by Sports Business Journal in 2024.
Shaping the Future of KSE
Kevin Demoff, President of Team and Media Operations at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), expressed enthusiasm over Durmer’s addition: “Across our global sports and entertainment organization, building championship teams on and off the pitch is a priority. Haley’s background will enable us to enhance the supporter experience and maximize our impact in communities across Colorado.”
Durmer will succeed Wayne Brant, a longtime executive with the Rapids, who departed in December 2024. Her appointment will see KSE consolidate and restructure commercial operations under the newly formed Chief Business Officer role.
A New Chapter Begins
Originally hailing from the East Coast, Durmer is an NCAA Division I swimmer from the University of Virginia, where she earned her degree in Marketing Management, Commerce, and Leadership. She will be relocating to Denver ahead of her start to immerse herself in the community she aims to serve.
For insights into more developments in sports leadership and business strategy, check out Front Office Sports and Sports Business Journal.
Together, the Colorado Rapids and Haley Durmer are poised to embark on a new journey, aiming to revolutionize how the club engages with its fans and enhances its position within the competitive landscape of Major League Soccer.
