LVCVA Names Janis Burke Chief Sports Officer to Lead Major Events Push
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has hired Janis Burke, a 30-year sports tourism veteran, as its new Chief Sports Officer
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has filled its top sports leadership role. Janis Burke will join the LVCVA as Chief Sports Officer. She brings more than 30 years of experience in sports tourism. She begins the position on Monday.
The LVCA mourned the passing of its former CEO at the tail end of 2025, and a new era for the LVCA is underway.
Burke replaces Lisa Motley, who departed in June and subsequently joined Landry’s as executive director of business development. The appointment completes a rebuilding of the LVCVA’s sports and special events management team that has been underway for nearly a year. It’s a new era, as marked by the LVCA’s 2025 report on the changing tides of tourism in Vegas. The LVCA is looking to stay ahead of these trends.
Burke’s Background
Burke most recently served as chief of international sport and strategy for the Sports Events and Tourism Association, known as Sports ETA, based in Cincinnati. She was the first person appointed to lead a global initiative for the organization, which is the largest sports tourism association in the country.
Before that, she spent years as CEO of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority. In that role, she oversaw delivery of some of the most prestigious sporting events in the world. Her portfolio includes Copa America, the NCAA Men’s Final Four, the Super Bowl, the College Football Playoff, and the U.S. Women’s Open.
LVCVA President and CEO Steve Hill described Burke as bringing an extraordinary track record of leadership and achievement in sports tourism.
He said her expertise and vision will strengthen the agency’s ability to attract and deliver world-class events and reinforce Las Vegas’ standing as the premier destination for major sports and entertainment.
The Team Burke Will Lead
Burke will oversee a two-person leadership structure beneath her. Will Hunter serves as vice president of events. He leads strategy, development, and execution of major sports and special events. His past work includes delivering events for the NFL, NBA, Pac-12 Conference, and the NCAA. Jennifer Hawkins serves as vice president of sports business development.
She joined the LVCVA in January 2026 and focuses on acquiring high-profile and emerging sporting events that generate economic impact for Southern Nevada. She previously oversaw the national growth strategy for Fastbreak AI’s event activation platform.
The salary range for the Chief Sports Officer role was set by the LVCVA board at between $248,600 and $347,400 annually, with eligibility for a bonus of up to 25% of salary.
A Full Calendar of Upcoming Events
Burke steps into the role at an active moment for Las Vegas sports. The city has the College Football Playoff National Championship and the NCAA March Madness Final Four already on its schedule. Another Super Bowl hosting bid is also in discussion.
Las Vegas has rapidly established itself as one of the premier sports event cities in the United States. The arrival of the Raiders, Golden Knights, Aces, and Las Vegas Grand Prix, combined with major one-time events, has transformed the city’s profile.
The LVCVA’s sports division is responsible for both attracting those events and ensuring their delivery meets expectations.
Burke’s appointment signals the agency is ready to compete aggressively for the next generation of major events.
Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.
Latest News
