Global entertainment company, MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM),  announced Thursday that George Kliavkoff (pictured) will replace Richard Sturm as the company’s President of Entertainment and Sports. Kliavkoff, who recently stepped down as Chief Executive Officer for Jaunt Inc., will lead the Las Vegas-based company’s entertainment and sports operations while maintaining industry partnerships.

According to the official press release…

The new role will see the 50-year-old Kliavkoff oversee operations, marketing, finance, sponsorships, strategy, ticketing and booking for the company‘s more than 30 showrooms, theaters and arenas, including Park Theater, MGM Grand Garden, the Theater at MGM National Harbor, the Mandalay Bay Beach, Mandalay Bay Events Center, the MassMutual Center at MGM Springfield and T-Mobile Arena, the multi-purpose indoor arena on the Las Vegas Strip that is the home venue for the National Hockey League’s Vegas Golden Knights.

Kliavkoff will be based at the company’s headquarters in Las Vegas and report to Bill Hornbuckle, President of MGM Resorts International.

Wealth of experience:

Kliavkoff attended Boston University where he received a bachelor’s degree in communications and from the University of Virginia School of Law, he holds a Juris Doctorate. He has more than two decades of experience leading entertainment and media strategies and most recently served as Chief Executive Officer for virtual reality start-up, Jaunt Inc. The San Mateo, California-headquartered company has worked with such clients as Disney, Manchester United, NFL, NBA, MLB, Uber and other leading firms.

Kliavkoff’s previous executive roles include top media companies such as Hearst Entertainment & Syndication, where he served as Co-president, Executive Vice President of Business for Major League Baseball Advanced Media and Chief Digital Officer for NBC Universal.

MGM Resorts’ comments:

Hornbuckle communicated the following regarding the recent appointment…

“George is joining our company at an exciting time and will play a key role as we both build on existing successful partnerships as well as continue to expand our industry-leading sports and entertainment offerings.

“His innovative approach and knowledge in the entertainment and digital world will strengthen our reputation as a company that provides world-class experiences for our guests to enjoy.”

MGM Resorts’ president also announced that the company was “thrilled” that it would be able to maintain its important business relationship with Sturm, with the company having secured a three-year consulting deal with Las Vegas Live Entertainment and Sports, Sturm’s new firm. According to the terms of the exclusive agreement, MGM’s long-serving President of Entertainment and Sports [Sturm], will continue to oversee key relationships and provide invaluable business advice for the company.

“Richard is an icon in the Las Vegas sports and entertainment world and we are thrilled to continue his relationship with the MGM Resorts family. Many of the city’s most exciting and successful events over the last two decades can be attributed to Richard’s relationships and deep industry knowledge,” Hornbuckle added.

Company info:

One of the largest live event companies in the world, MGM Resorts’ offerings include a half-dozen Cirque du Soleil shows, hundreds of premier concerts, comedy and magic shows every year, eSports, as well as traditional sporting events including UFC, boxing, rodeo and MGM’s professional women’s basketball team, the Las Vegas Aces.