"Wade's vision and leadership are largely responsible for the early success of the Dew Action Sports Tour which in just two years boasts the largest on-site and media audiences, an impressive roster of complementary sponsors and the enthusiastic support of the globe's top action sports athletes," said Schanzer. "Speaking for both NBC Universal and Live Nation, we are excited about the future of the Tour and thrilled Wade Martin has agreed to lead the Dew Tour into its next chapter of growth." Wade Martin joined NBC Sports in the fall of 2003 as General Manager of Action Sports. In this role, Martin spearheaded the creation and development of the Dew Action Sports Tour, the first season-long competitive tour featuring skateboarding, BMX and freestyle motocross. The Tour, which successfully launched in 2005, is a joint venture between NBC Sports and Live Nation.
As General Manager, Martin oversees all facets of the joint venture and the Tour, including sponsorship sales and partner relations, marketing and communications, operations, competitions, athlete relations, and business development. He is also central to the Tour's multi-year deal relationships with each of the Tour's host cities as well as the chief liaison between NBC Sports and Live Nation. // Before assuming his current position, Martin was Senior Vice President/Executive Director of the Gravity Games and oversaw Octagon Marketing's Action Sports Division. Martin developed the Gravity Games into one of the most widely recognized action sports properties in the world.Martin began his career in the sports industry at Advantage International, where he worked in event management for several professional tennis tournaments before leading the creation and management of the emerging sports group. Martin earned a B.S. from Michigan State University, where he was a four-year letter winner on the tennis team, and a M.S. in Sport Management from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Additionally, Martin was named to Sports Business Journal's Forty Under Forty list in 2005.
Wade lives in Hinsdale, Illinois with his wife Paula and children, Tosh, 5, and Elle, 2.
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After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.