Strategy
Alignment
Execution
​​Sarah Navarre, MBA, MPH
Leadership • Facilitation • Organizational Transformation
I
Building a Professional Sports Franchise from the Ground Up
During the launch of Real Salt Lake's new stadium and expansion of the franchise, I worked directly with ownership and executive leadership on strategic partnerships, stadium operations, sponsorship development, VIP relations, government engagement, and major event execution.
My role required coordination across corporate sponsors, public officials, Major League Soccer leadership, vendors, security, military partners, and event stakeholders to support the successful launch of one of the league's premier venues.
Securing a Stadium Naming- Rights Sponsor
A Name on the Stadium:
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Challenge
A naming rights sponsor needed to be secured before the opening of the new stadium.
Approach
Worked with executive leadership to coordinate sponsor experiences, stakeholder engagement, venue tours, and VIP presentations.
Outcome
Contributed to securing a long-term, multi-million-dollar naming rights agreement that remained in place for more than a decade.
Left: RSL Players, Above: Stadium naming rights announcement.
Right: Stadium under construction. 2008
Opening a New Major League Soccer Stadium
MLS Expansion Team:
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Challenge
Launch a stadium while simultaneously relocating operations and preparing for inaugural events.
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Approach
Coordinated stakeholders across security, ticketing, sponsorship fulfillment, hospitality, concessions, parking, and executive operations.
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Outcome
Successfully executed inaugural matches and VIP events while supporting the transition into a fully operational venue.
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Opening Night Rio Tinto Stadium:
October 9, 2008
Opening Night: October 9, 2008
Left: RealSaltLake.com archives.
Left: Sponsorship Jetblue Airways & Real Salt Lake. Above & right: Seattle welcomes Real Salt Lake & LA Galaxy for MLS Cup Playoffs.
Major Concert & Entertainment Operations
Highlight:
Headline Concerts
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Eagles
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Paul McCartney
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Journey
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Kenny Chesney
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Neil Diamond
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Supported VIP hospitality, sponsor activations, executive experiences, and event operations for nationally recognized entertainment events.
Top from Left: American Idol runner up, David Archuletta, KISS, KSL News Archives Paul McCartney Concert, KSL News Archives The Eagles Concert, KISS Concert, Salt Lake Tribune Archives Journey, Foreigner, Night Ranger concerts.
Bottom Right: Salt Lake Tribune archives of first concert preparations Rio Tinto Stadium.
International Sporting Events
MLS All-Star Game & International Competition
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Supported one of the league's highest-profile events, coordinating VIP experiences, media activities, military partnerships, sponsorship fulfillment, and event operations.
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The event reached audiences in more than 100 countries and required collaboration across Major League Soccer, international partners, broadcasters, government agencies, and production teams.
Military & Community Partnerships
Military Flyovers & Community:
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Coordinated military flyovers, ceremonial activities, and recognition programs involving the Pentagon, National Guard, Air Force, and local military organizations.
These initiatives strengthened community engagement while supporting nationally televised sporting events and league celebrations.
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Stadium Opening October 2009: Apache helicopters flyover supported by Utah Air National. Guard 1st Battalion, 211st Aviation Regiment.
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Military Appreciation Night 2010: Boeing C-17 flyover supported by the Utah Air National Guard and Hill Air Force.
From Left to Right: 2010 Military Appreciation Night pre-game and C-17 Flyover. Apache helicopters were flown over opening night of Rio Tinto Stadium October 2009.
