Finance & Sales Ops Dinner

Frank joined the Spurs in September of 2008, overseeing Sales Operations for the San Antonio Spurs and Business Operations for the San Antonio Rampage (AHL), the San Antonio Stars (WNBA) and the Austin Spurs (NBA D-League). He previously served as Chief Operating Officer for the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL), a position he held from 1996 thru 2008. He added the role of Vice President of Minor League Operations for all of Comcast Spectacor in November 2000 and was responsible for overseeing the Phantoms and the organization’s three minor-league baseball teams – the Bowie Baysox, Delmarva Shorebirds and Frederick Keys, along with being the COO of the Philadelphia Wings (NLL). He ultimately served 18 years with Comcast Spectacor (mainly with the Philadelphia Flyers/Phantoms) where he was responsible for overseeing all operations, including fiscal management, sales, marketing, advertising, sponsorship sales and public relations. Prior to joining the Phantoms in 1990, Frank held the role of Vice President of Marketing and Advertising at Spectathlete and Advertising Director for the Clover Division of Strawbridge & Clothier in Philadelphia, Advertising Manager for John Wannamaker in Philadelphia, and Advertising Director for Gimbels in both New York and Philadelphia.

He was awarded the James C. Hendy Award, which is presented to the American Hockey League’s outstanding executive, following the 1997–98 season and the Thomas Ebright
Award, which is presented annually for outstanding career contributions to the American Hockey League, following the 2006 – 2007 season.

A native of South Philadelphia, he graduated from the University of Scranton with a Bachelors in Science. He is currently a Board Member at San Antonio Sports, the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Commission (current Chairman) and the Baylor University Sports
Administration.

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Entering his 41st season with the organization, Lawrence has built one of the highest rated and most extensive broadcast and digital lineups in professional sports. As Executive Producer for each and every project, he is involved in all aspects from contract rights negotiations to the “look” of the content.

Payne leads the organization’s corporate partnership sales efforts, including radio and TV inventory, print, digital platforms, social media, signage, in-arena and out-of-arena promotions/licensing and game operations while overseeing all branding and marketing efforts for the Spurs, Stars, Rampage and San Antonio FC.

He has won two National ACE Awards, the Silver Medal at the International Film & Television Festival of New York, several Addy Awards and has been selected as a Charter Member of the NBA Broadcast Advisory Board.

He received his Undergraduate and Law Degree from the University of Texas at Austin and is currently a member of the University’s Non-Practicing Advisory Council. He also serves as a mentor to University of Texas Law School Students and is a member of Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Foundation & Finance Committee and Baylor University’s Sports Sponsorship & Sales (S3) Advisory Board.

Payne has been married to Mary, a fellow UT Graduate, for 37 years. They have two sons, Bryan (Vice president of Vaquero Capital in San Francisco) and William (lives and works as a writer in Los Angeles).

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