Washington, D.C. (December 13, 2022) – The D.C. Defenders announced today that Lance Wesson has been hired as Vice President of Business and Event Operations overseeing the team’s business performance and activations to elevate awareness, drive fan and community engagement, and execute gameday experiences based on the League’s strategic plans.
“Lance’s background and experience in the DMV make him a great choice to lead the Defenders business staff,” said XFL SVP of Team Services Brooke Campbell. “He brings a wealth of experience and a keen understanding of the D.C. market and will help us build the relationships and partnerships we need to prepare for kickoff in 2023.”
Prior to joining the team, Wesson held prominent roles with major brands across the sports and entertainment industry. Most recently he served as Director of Franchise Partnership Sales at Monumental Sports and Entertainment, where he was responsible for securing sponsorship deals for the organization’s five sports franchises: Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Mystics (WNBA), Capital City Go-Go (NBA G League), and Wizards District Gaming (NBA2K League). Prior to that, he served as General Manager at Learfield IMG College property University of Texas – Arlington, Senior Account Manager of Experiential Marketing at Octagon, and has directed and managed sales and event operations for several other brands, including the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame and the Detroit Pistons (NBA).
“I am grateful to be a part of building a new football experience in the DMV,” said Wesson. “Having lived in D.C. prior and recently moving back, I am fully aware of the passion D.C. has for the sport. I look forward to working with our talented, dedicated staff to help create memorable experiences at Defenders games and making a profound impact in the community.”
A native of Kansas City, MO, Wesson earned a double bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and Business Management from Missouri Valley College.
DeAndré Phillips named Director of Team Communications and Media Relations:
The XFL has also announced that DeAndré Phillips has been named Director of Communications and Media Relations for the Defenders. Phillips, who served as Director of Media Relations for the Washington Wizards from 2016-21, returns to D.C. after spending the past year as Vice President of Communications at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. The Portsmouth, VA native has also served as Communications Director for the New York Giants and Communications Manager for the Miami Heat. He was also a part of the PR staffs for two championship teams – the 2011 Super Bowl champion Giants and 2006 NBA champion Heat. Phillips graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in English – Journalism.
ABOUT XFL
The XFL’s ownership group—led by Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners—is building a fan-first, fast-paced global professional football league with innovative rules and an enhanced 360-game experience. The XFL will bring entertainment to world-class football, with the goal of advancing football and expanding player opportunities when it launches in February 2023.
