David W. Checketts  is a sports entertainment executive with a career spanning over four decades. He has been the catalyst for success of some of the most iconic brands in sports and entertainment. In 2022, Checketts was named to the Utah Sports Hall of Fame. 

Checketts is the Managing Partner of Checketts Partners Investment Management (CPIM), a private equity firm focused on sports, media, and entertainment with investments in premium hospitality, ticketing, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and broadcast technology. The firm also serves as a trusted advisor to investors and owners in professional sports leagues around the world. Also, Checketts is minority owner and serves as Non-Executive Director of Gravity Media.

In 2022, Checketts partnered with his sons Nate and Ben to lead a controlling equity investment in Rhone, a men’s performance activewear and wellness brand. Dave also joined the Board of Directors of the company. In 2021, Checketts was named Director of Burnley Football Club. With Burnley, Checketts doubles as part owner and investor.

Checketts served as Chairman and CEO of Legends Hospitality Management (LHM) from 2011 to 2015 after acquiring a significant ownership stake alongside the NY Yankees and Dallas Cowboys.5. During his tenure, Checketts guided LHM through a substantial period of expansion and growth in market share, establishing it as one of the industry’s standard-bearers domestically and internationally. Checketts directed additions to both Yankee and AT&T Stadiums, and enhanced venues including LA Angel Stadium, Levi’s Stadium, and Etihad Stadium. Notably, he spearheaded LHM’s design and build of One World Observatory.

Previously, Checketts founded SCP Worldwide in 2006. While operating SCP, Checketts owned and operated an impressive portfolio of assets including the 2019 Stanley Cup Champions St. Louis Blues, Scottrade Center, Peabody Opera House, the 2009 MLS Champions Real Salt Lake, Rio Tinto Stadium, and ESPN 700 Sports Talk Radio, among others. Under his leadership, The Blues went from being the worst-ranked team to the first-ranked team in the NHL, and Real Salt Lake became the model franchise for MLS.

Prior to launching SCP, Checketts had an impressive ten-year career with Madison Square Garden (MSG). As President and CEO, Checketts spearheaded all operations for MSG, as well as the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers, the New York Liberty, the award-winning MSG Network, and FOX Sports Network. Additionally,  Checketts was responsible for the acquisition and restoration of Manhattan’s historic Radio City Music Hall. Throughout his leadership of MSG, the venue was named “Arena of the Year” six years in a row. He began his career at MSG as President of the New York Knicks in 1991. During this time, the team set records in attendance, ratings, and revenues, as well as Forbes naming the Knicks the most valuable franchise in the NBA. The Knicks made the playoffs every year that Checketts was at the helm; where he led the team to be NBA finalists in ‘94 and ‘99.

Prior to joining the Knicks, Checketts spent one year as General Manager of NBA International, working with Commissioner David Stern on building an international branding presence. Earlier in his career, Checketts served as President and General Manager of the Utah Jazz. At 28 years old, he became the youngest chief executive in the history of the NBA. 

Checketts began his career with Bain & Company. He received his MBA degree from Brigham Young University in 1981, where he graduated with top honors, and attended the University of Utah for his undergraduate studies. From 2018 to 2021, he served as the President of the England London Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS. 

Checketts has also served in a variety of other leadership roles.  He has served as a founding Director of JetBlue Airways, Chairman of the Audit Committee of IMG Worldwide, and as a Board of Directors Member of Citadel Communications, Cablecom, and Republic Mortgage Home Loans. 

Natalie Gochnour serves as an associate dean in the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, and as director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. She served in the administrations of three Utah governors – Bangerter, Leavitt and Walker – and was a political appointee in the George W. Bush administration. She authors regular columns in Utah Business magazine and the Deseret News and co-hosts the weekly radio program Both Sides of the Aisle on KCPW.

Mark Gottfredson is a partner of Bain & Company’s office in Dallas Texas, which he founded in 1990,   Over the past 40 years, he has advised Chief Executives and top-level managers in a wide range of industries .  Most recently he served as the leader of Bain’s Americas Automotive and Mobility practice with a focus on the enormous technology transition occurring.  He also led Bain’s Performance Improvement Practice for many years.

In 2005, Mr. Gottfredson was named to Consulting Magazine’s list of Top 25 Consultants globally.  He has been published extensively in publications such as the Harvard Business Review, European Strategy and the World Business review.  In addition, he is frequently sought out and quoted in such publications as the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and Business Week.  His book for general managers, called “The Breakthrough Imperative,” published by Harper Collins outlines some of the fundamental laws of business.  He has served as a member of the Marriott School National Advisory Committee for many years as well as on the board of numerous non-profit and for-profit organizations.

Mark obtained his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1983, where he graduated with high distinction and was named a Baker Scholar.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University in Japanese (magna cum laude, honors).  Prior to joining Bain, he worked in the financial services and real estate industries. He is currently serving as an Area Seventy. Mark and Christine have five children.

Stacy Taniguchi is a retired professor from Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Business. He earned his Ph.D. from BYU with a focus in Educational Leadership and Foundations. He is a co-founding partner and senior consultant of a business leadership and family legacy consulting firm called Beta Experiences with other BYU professors.

He is also the owner, senior consultant, and chief guide of Kahiltna Visions, a wilderness guiding and outdoor adventure consulting company based in Utah and Alaska for the past 35 years.

Stacy has an extensive background in mountaineering and international expedition leadership, including notable climbs of

Denali (aka Mt. McKinley), Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, and Everest. Having lived and guided in Alaska for over 25 years, he also specializes in outdoor adventures, like remote hiking adventures, sea kayaking expeditions, and flyfishing float trips on wild and scenic rivers in the State known as "The Last Frontier". Besides Alaska and Utah, his guiding “playground” also includes Hawaii, South America, East Africa, southern Russia, Nepal, China, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific.

Having studied tort liability law at BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School, Taniguchi is sought after for risk management and expert witness consultations involving civil law cases regarding outdoor recreational activities and equipment product liability. For the past 12 years, he has been involved with designing experiential programs for corporate leaders and MBA students, as well as helping families seek their family legacy in order to build multi-generational wealth.

He and his wife LuAnn have four children and ten grandchildren. He currently divides his time between Utah, Alaska, and his home state of Hawaii.