Michael Bucek enters his second year with the Coyotes as the club’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer (CMO). Bucek oversees marketing, broadcasting, branding, community relations, fan development, licensing, advertising and promotions for the Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Sting (National Lacrosse League) and Glendale Arena.

Bucek joined the Coyotes in 2004 from the Indy Racing League where he served as vice president of sales and business development. In this capacity, Bucek was responsible for managing corporate sales and fulfillment, and business development for the IndyCar Series, which sanctions races including the Indianapolis 500.

Prior to working for the Indy Racing League, Bucek spent six years with the Milwaukee Brewers (MLB) as vice president of ballpark development. Bucek was responsible for generating the Brewers portion of the financing for a new ballpark project and negotiated naming rights and concessions agreements. In addition, Bucek negotiated primary sponsorship and broadcast rights agreements for the team and successfully marketed Miller Park’s suites. He participated in the design process, which created the first ballpark in North America with a retractable fan-shaped roof. He also developed new branding for the Brewers and worked closely with MLB on branding for the 2002 All-Star Game in Milwaukee. While developing the Brewers new home in Wisconsin, Bucek was the club’s liaison to the City of Phoenix throughout the development of Maryvale Baseball Park on the West Side of Phoenix. He continued to oversee the club’s spring training operations after the facility opened in 1998.

Bucek also served as the director of marketing and broadcasting for the Chicago White Sox (MLB) for seven years. He was responsible for corporate sales and fulfillment, marketing, promotions, broadcasting and game entertainment. He also negotiated sponsorship and broadcast agreements for the White Sox and created new branding for the franchise, producing unprecedented licensed product sales and a top five ranking in MLB over a five-year period in the 1990’s.

Bucek’s career in sports started in the Valley with a three-year stint for the Phoenix Firebirds from 1985-1988. While with the Firebirds, he was responsible for the overall business operations for the San Francisco Giants Triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League and Oakland Athletics spring training games at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Bucek also worked for the A.C. Nielsen Company and KDKB-FM.

Bucek received a Bachelor of Science (Communications) degree from Illinois State University in 1982 and attended California State University for post-graduate studies from 1984 to 1985. Bucek served as a Commissioner on the Tinley Park Economic Development Commission from 1993 to 1996 and is an associate member of the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni Association. Bucek and his wife Sharon have three children: Tyler, Ali and Rachel.