Veteran sports executive Bryan Calka, a leading executive in driving revenue and brand strategy for prominent organizations in professional sports, was named chief commercial officer for the American Conference in May of 2025.
Alongside Commissioner Tim Pernetti, Calka oversees American RISE Ventures. The commercial business division of the conference leads all aspects of the league’s revenue generation, sponsorship strategy, media rights, brand partnerships, technology, emerging business ventures, and long-term commercial innovation, aligning with the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics. American RISE Ventures plays a central role in supporting and enhancing the student-athlete experience across the conference by developing sustainable business models rooted in partnership, performance and purpose.
Before joining the American, Calka served as chief commercial officer at the Professional Fighters League, a professional mixed martial arts league that was the first major MMA organization to compete in regular-season, postseason and championship events. He led a massive growth in revenues in two-and-a-half years while substantially increasing the average sponsorship deal size.
Calka previously served as senior vice president of partnerships for the New York Islanders, where he led the corporate partnership strategy for both the team and UBS Arena. Under his leadership, the organization saw consistent revenue growth and elevated brand alignment across its partner portfolio.
Prior to his role with the Islanders, Calka served as senior vice president of global partnerships at BSE Global, overseeing partnership initiatives for the Barclays Center, Brooklyn Nets, Long Island Nets, Nets GC and New York Liberty.
He also spent a decade with the New York Yankees as vice president of partnerships, managing both the sales and activation teams and helping drive the club’s commercial success.
Earlier in his career, Calka served as director of corporate marketing and sponsorship at Washington Sports and Entertainment, where he generated significant new business for the Washington Wizards, the Verizon Center and the Patriot Center.
Calka earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Hobart College.