The ITTF is delighted to be welcoming Gordon Kaye in the role of Managing Director of Product Innovation.
Joining from his previous position as Chief Executive Officer of USA Table Tennis (USATT), Kaye has built up an impressive wealth of experience in the commercial management of Table Tennis and indeed a range of sports over many years.
His appointment is set to provide a significant boost to the ITTF’s objectives of growing the popularity and professionalism of Table Tennis globally and importantly in North America: a market of rapidly increasing significance for the ITTF.
Possessing a deep understanding not only of Table Tennis, but also Table Tennis X (TTX), the ITTF believes that Kaye will be instrumental in making commercially viable two new ITTF products, namely TTX and The World Veterans Tour.
Kaye spearheaded the organising committee for the 2018 World Veteran Table Tennis Championships in Las Vegas last June – the biggest Table Tennis event in North American history – having also led the team that hosted the first-ever major World Cup event in the United States, held in 2016 in Philadelphia.
“I am thrilled to be joining the ITTF team as we continue to explore new opportunities to expand the reach of our amazing sport to a worldwide audience. Whether it’s playing or watching, Table Tennis is a sport that can be enjoyed by all and I look forward to working with a team committed to developing events, products, and services specifically designed to see the sport reach its full commercial and interactive potential.”
ITTF Managing Director of Product Innovation, Gordon Kaye
“The ITTF has been impressed with Gordon’s work for many years. It has been refreshing to work with someone of such a high level at USA Table Tennis, someone who understands the commercial needs, but someone who also has passion for Table Tennis. He is always pushing boundaries and trying to make the sport more financially successful. We are thrilled to now have a staff member from the USA, which is a very important market for the ITTF, and we believe that Gordon can continue to help us grow the market in the USA and bring us fresh insights generally.”
ITTF CEO, Steve Dainton
From his previous role, Kaye has provided leadership to ITTF-North America, the Continental Governing Body organised under the ITTF, whilst managing all aspects of USATT and ITTF-North America board activities.
Kaye’s extensive experience in sport and business has also seen him hold positions as Executive Director and General Manager of Rockford Area Venues & Entertainment Authority; Team Operations Consultant, General Manager and Governor of Reading Royals Professional Hockey Club; Director, Team Technology Applications of the National Basketball Association; and Director of Licensing of the International Hockey League.
The ITTF wishes Gordon the very best in his new role and looks forward to working together to grow the sport even further from 2019!