37 Facts About Dan MacKenzie

Dan MacKenzie is a Canadian sports administrator and marketing executive.

Dan MacKenzie has served as president of the Canadian Hockey League since September 2019.

Dan MacKenzie served as the vice-president and managing director of National Basketball Association Canada from 2014 to 2019, and previously worked for The Sports Network.

Dan MacKenzie oversaw events which included managing the development NBA Global Games in Europe, 3x3 basketball tournaments in Canada, the NBA Canada Series, and the 2016 NBA All-Star Game.

Dan MacKenzie played ice hockey as a youth in Guelph, and attended Guelph Platers games.

Dan MacKenzie completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in marketing at McMaster University in 1992, a Bachelor of Education degree at Brock University in 1995, the sport and event marketing program at George Brown College in 1997, and a Master of Management in sport at Ohio University in 2019.

Dan MacKenzie began working for National Basketball Association Canada in 1998, managing events and development of basketball in Canada.

Dan MacKenzie worked for The Sports Network as the senior marketing manager from October 2003 to October 2004.

Dan MacKenzie returned to NBA Canada in October 2004 as its director of marketing until September 2006.

Dan MacKenzie was promoted to be NBA Canada's general manager in October 2006, and its managing director in January 2011.

Dan MacKenzie was named vice-president and managing director of NBA Canada in January 2014, and serves in the same capacity as of August 2019.

Dan MacKenzie brought in corporate partners to sponsor NBA events which included 3x3 basketball tournaments in Canada.

Dan MacKenzie noted that recent trends of immigration to Canada showed people were coming from countries where basketball was already a popular sport.

Dan MacKenzie noted there was significant support from Filipino Canadians and Chinese Canadians, and felt it was related to the former Philippine Basketball League and NBA efforts in China including exhibition games, skills programs, and coaching programs.

Dan MacKenzie targeted first-generation Canadians as a market for basketball.

Dan MacKenzie attributed this to basketball being "easy and inexpensive to play, and a safe sport".

Dan MacKenzie noted that since the Toronto Raptors began play in 1995, "what you are seeing now with the growth of the sport, is the first generation of kids who have grown up with the NBA being a strong element in their lives".

Dan MacKenzie aimed to increase apparel sales, social media presence and broadcasts for basketball in Canada.

Dan MacKenzie wanted to increase accessibility of NBA basketball games in Canada through cable television packages which included NBA League Pass to see Toronto Raptors and other out-of-town games.

Dan MacKenzie used local events to engage new fans, which coincided with the NBA Canada Series beginning in 2012.

Dan MacKenzie wanted to ensure leaving a legacy in those communities, which including upgrades to local recreational and basketball facilities.

In 2013, Dan MacKenzie was part of Toronto's successful bid to host the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, and stated that "the time was right" to bring the event outside of the United States for the first time.

Dan MacKenzie estimated that it would bring $80 million to $100 million into Toronto's economy.

Dan MacKenzie announced contracts with Air Miles and Bank of Montreal, and said that Canadian-based sponsors were coming onboard due to the growing fan base in Canada, highlighting that the NBA had 650,000 Canadian followers on Twitter by 2016.

In May 2019, Dan MacKenzie stated the NBA had reached a peak in Canadian sponsorship to date, with 32 partners including Bell Canada, Molson Coors Brewing Company and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

Dan MacKenzie noted the increasing number of Canadians playing in the NBA in recent years.

Dan MacKenzie resigned effective August 15,2019, and was succeeded by Leah MacNab.

On July 30,2019, the Canadian Hockey League announced Dan MacKenzie was hired as its first full-time president.

Dan MacKenzie has stated he looks forward to building on the relationships that CHL teams have with their communities.

Dan MacKenzie took over in September 2019 from Branch, who had served as president since 1996.

In October 2019, Dan MacKenzie stated it was a priority to grow the CHL's brand and build upon the experience for players and spectators, and to bring national events such as the Memorial Cup to smaller communities.

Dan MacKenzie stated the need to promote the CHL's scholarship program, which exceeds a $10-million investment each year for the future of players who have careers outside of hockey.

Dan MacKenzie stated no decision has been made to restart play without fans in attendance as proposed in some professional leagues.

Dan MacKenzie became a volunteer board member for the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada in 2010, and was elected its new chairman in January 2013.

Dan MacKenzie later volunteered for the board of directors of Licensing Industry Merchandiser's Association Canada, and has been a committee member for the sports celebrity festival hosted by Special Olympics Canada.

Dan MacKenzie was named one of the George Brown College alumni Five to Watch, and received the college's Alumni Achievement Award.

Dan MacKenzie served as co-chairman of the Five to Watch event in 2013.